Norwich City Women 1 Actonians Ladies 2

Norwich City suffered their first home league defeat since February 2023 as they were beaten by Women’s National League Division One South East leaders Actonians at The Nest.

The Canaries made a fairly positive start to what was an important match yet fell behind after only nine minutes when Hana Lalani’s low effort from outside the box found the bottom corner of Sarah Quantrill’s net.

Lalani’s goal was the first City had conceded in the league on home soil this term, but their response to conceding was good and they drew level just before the half hour mark. Eloise Morran was the scorer, with her flicked header somehow containing enough power to beat visiting goalkeeper Elisa Dogor.

However, City fell asleep immediately afterwards and Actonians forward Amina Hanif made them pay by finishing past Quantrill from close range.

City thought they might have levelled proceedings once again just before half-time when Holly Kennard dispossessed Dogor and fired home, but referee Michael Wallace deemed that the Actonians stopper was fouled in the build-up.

Kennard was the hosts’ liveliest attacking player in the second half and struck the crossbar as City tried to find an equaliser, but they ultimately failed to do so.

Norwich City: Quantrill (c), Flye, Strauss, Bishop, Daviss, Medd-Gill, Morran, Kennard, Moore, Shaw, Snelling. Subs: Todd, Densley, Symonds, Tomlinson, Cook.