Norwich City head coach Andy Cook admitted his side's performance against Chesham United was below their usual level as they failed to win in the Women's National League Division One South East for the first time this season.

In a frantic second period at The Meadow, City twice came from behind to maintain their unbeaten league record, with substitute Ella Powell and centre-back Ceri Flye netting their first goals of the season.

Chesham forward Gemma Fraser had threatened to make it a miserable afternoon for the Canaries by scoring an impressive brace, just as she managed when these two sides met in October 2022.

City were beaten 3-2 on that occasion, so while this was a more positive outcome, there was a sense of disappointment among the visiting players that they could not take maximum points.



As for Cook, he felt that City's display in Buckinghamshire was below-par and wished to take responsibility for that.

He stated: "It's a long season and in a 12-team league there's lots of football to be played (and) there's a certain points tally you need. It's part of the process; you can't win them all.

"We've just got to make sure that we perform to a certain level, and today was below that, that was all it was. I would rather talk about what we've done as staff and what I've done in regards to setting them up.

"We had a certain way that we wanted to attack this game and approach this game and we didn't quite reach it. It's frustrating and it starts with me.

"You've got to look at yourself first and (consider) what did we do, what could I have done better in the week and leading up to it. That's what we'll start to do."

Key creator Ellie Smith could only make the bench for City having not trained since their win over Brighton & Hove Albion Academy, and they looked short of ideas in attacking areas prior to her 80th minute introduction.

Hope Strauss brings the ball forwardHope Strauss brings the ball forward (Image: R.S.BROWN)

However, Cook was keen to stress his belief that his side are not too dependent on Smith, who provided the assist for Powell's goal.

He said: "It's credit to Chesham in regards to how they set up and how they worked the game, more so than a reliance on Ellie.

"I think anyone, whether it be us or tier two, tier three teams, would be pleased to have an Ellie Smith in their side. She's a very good footballer, but I don't think it's a reliance.

"When she's been in the side, it's about how we can get the ball to her obviously, but there are loads of players that have lots that they can offer the side. It's just about how we get that out."

One player who stepped up in the closing stages was Flye, who drew City level in the final minute of normal time before sprinting back in a desperate moment to prevent the hosts from reclaiming the lead on the counter-attack.

Ellie Smith tries to escape the attention of a Chesham defenderEllie Smith tries to escape the attention of a Chesham defender (Image: R.S.BROWN)

She explained: "I love to run so I thought, 'if I've got anything left, I'll try and block the square pass.'

"I trust Quants a-hundred-percent, she's brilliant, and I knew that she'd make the save, so if the girl tried to pass it, I'd be there to keep that out. Ultimately she didn't.

"I'll give credit to Will (Davies) there, our strength and conditioning coach, because he works us hard in training so I can still run in 90 minutes."

Having lost three of their opening four league matches prior to Sunday's draw, the Chesham team were audibly pleased with the result, and Flye thinks that reflects well on City.

"It's a massive compliment listening to their changing room (at full-time)," she said. "They're buzzing, and we were quite deflated with just a draw.

"We're hungry, we want three points every game, and I think that attitude is brilliant from all of the girls. That's why I have full confidence that we will be bouncing back on Tuesday at Sudbury."

Norwich City (4-2-3-1): Quantrill (c); Daviss (Powell 52), Flye, Strauss, Moore; Medd-Gill (Smith 80), Hailes; Kennard (Cook 80), Snelling, Symonds (Densley 65); Shaw. Unused sub: Johnston.