Bees Defeated by Norwich City at The Nest Despite Improved Second-Half Display
From the opening whistle it was clear the match would be a competitive contest between two strong sides, with chances coming at both ends of the pitch.
However, the hosts soon began to apply sustained pressure on the Bees, forcing them deeper into their own half and creating opportunities in and around the penalty area.
The deadlock was broken just after the 10-minute mark as Norwich won a corner which was delivered into the box and fell to Grace Riglar, who volleyed the ball into the net to give the hosts the lead.
Shortly afterwards, the Canaries earned another corner.
Tia Ginn punched the ball clear from between the sticks, but Norwich maintained their attacking pressure as they continued to push forward.
Shamoy Campbell later broke free down the wing in an attempt to create an opportunity for the Bees, but her cross into the box drifted behind the goal, resulting in a goal kick for Norwich.
Moments later the hosts doubled their advantage when Holly Kennard struck from outside the box, finding the top right corner with an effort that was just beyond Ginn’s reach.
The Bees came close to pulling a goal back just before the break when Campbell delivered a low cross from the right that found Sam Lanza.
With a defender close behind her, Lanza turned and fired from a tight angle, but her effort drifted just off target.
Half-Time: Norwich City 2–0 London Bees
Dan McKimm’s side emerged for the second half with renewed determination, moving the ball at a higher tempo and applying more pressure on the Norwich defence.
In the 50th minute, Hayley Hoare came agonisingly close to reducing the deficit.
Cutting inside from the left, she struck a powerful effort that rattled the crossbar before being cleared by the Norwich defence.
Soon after, Hoare was involved again as she delivered a dangerous cross into the box.
Lanza met it on the volley, but her effort went straight into the hands of the goalkeeper.
The Bees continued to create chances as Millie Isherwood curled in a corner which Hoare flicked on to Rebekah Wozniak on the wing.
Wozniak pushed forward before unleashing a strike that looked destined for the top-right corner but drifted narrowly wide.
Dan McKimm then made his first change of the afternoon, introducing Alex Penny for Fran Vigo, with Penny making her debut for the Bees.
Aimee Durn soon produced a superb through ball for Campbell, who surged forward before cutting inside and testing the goalkeeper with a low drive towards the bottom right corner, which was well saved.
Another Bees debut followed as Renai Bennett replaced Megan Burrows.
With little time remaining, Norwich sealed the victory with a third goal.
A cross back into the box was met with a header that beat Ginn, ending the Bees’ hopes of a comeback despite their strong second half pressure.
Moments later the referee blew the final whistle, confirming defeat for the Bees.
Full-Time: Norwich City 3–0 London Bees
The Bees will face Tottenham Hotspur U21 next Sunday in the Quarter-Finals of the Capitol Women’s Senior Cup.
Lineup: Ginn (Roberts 90′), Heil (Davidson 90′), Flynn, Durn, Isherwood (81′), Lanza, Burrows (Bennett 81′), Vigo (Penny 70′), Wozniak, Campbell, Hoare