It’s 2nd versus 3rd this Sunday as Dan McKimm’s Bees travel to The Nest to take on Andy Cook’s Norwich City for a 2pm kick off in the FAWNL Division One South East.
London Bees:
The Bees head into their next fixture on the back of a strong 2–0 victory over London rivals Dulwich Hamlet.
After a competitive first half with chances for both sides, the teams went into the break level at 0–0.
The Bees created several opportunities, coming closest when a strike from Aria Heil rattled the underside of the crossbar.
The breakthrough came early in the second half when Sandra Martins fired the Bees ahead, before substitute Millie Isherwood doubled the lead just minutes later.
Dulwich pushed to respond but were kept out by a solid defensive display and goalkeeper Tia Ginn, as the Bees secured all three points and a clean sheet at The Bees Stadium.
London Bees last five results:
London Bees 2 – 0 Dulwich Hamlet
London Bees 2 – 4 Watford Development (Combined Counties Cup)
London Bees 4 – 1 MK Dons
Chatham Town 6 – 1 London Bees
QPR 2 (4) – 2 (5) London Bees (Capital Women’s Cup | Bees win 5-4 on penalties)
In the dugout:
London Bees coach James McKimm spoke ahead of the fixture:
“Norwich are a good side and the table doesn’t lie – they’re in the position they’re in for a reason.
However, while they’ll be carrying all the pressure of a title fight, we can go and play with freedom and without pressure.
The focus and intensity has been superb this week, so it’s down to us to carry that into Sunday and show what we’re capable of”.
Norwich City:
Norwich City Women were founded in 1982 and are one of the established sides in the East of England.
The club enjoyed early success, winning the 1986 Women’s FA Cup, defeating Doncaster Rovers Belles 4–3 at Carrow Road.
After finishing second in the league in consecutive seasons and narrowly missing out on promotion last year, The Canaries have also enjoyed strong cup success, winning the Norfolk County Cup three years in a row and highlighting their consistency at regional level.
n their most recent fixture, a strong second-half display from the Canaries secured all three points in a 4–0 victory over MK Dons.
Natasha Snelling gave Norwich City the lead shortly after half-time, before a quick second goal put the Canaries firmly in control.
Despite several first-half chances from Holly Kennard and Lara Densley, the sides went into the break level.
Norwich struck early in the second half when Snelling flicked home Kennard’s cross on 48 minutes.
Just five minutes later, Riglar finished off a move involving Harrison to double the lead.
Riglar added her second with 20 minutes remaining after a scramble in the box, before sealing the victory with a well-taken first-time finish from Freya Symonds’ cut-back.
The 4–0 win sends Norwich back to the top of the Division One South East table, while Snelling’s goal took her tally to 16 in all competitions.
Norwich City last five results:
MK Dons 0-4 Norwich City
Norwich City 3-1 AFC Sudbury
Norwich City 2-3 Fulham
Norwich City 3-2 QPR
Luton Town 1-1 Norwich City
In the opposition dugout:
Norwich City manager Andy Cook will be in the dugout for the host this Sunday with his assistant Ethan Scott alongside him.
Cook was appointed in June 2024 after previously working as a first-team coach at Newcastle United Women, where he helped the club win promotion to the Championship.
He brings extensive experience in the women’s game, having also spent four years as head coach of Nottingham Forest Women, where he guided the side to league and cup success, including a National League title and multiple trophies.
Ones to watch:
Norwich full-back Grace Riglar is the club’s current leading goal scorer, making 22 appearances so far this season and hitting the back of the net 16 times in all competitions.
Last time the sides met:
The Bees unbeaten run earlier in the season was ended by Norwich City at The Bees Stadium with a 2-1 defeat back in September.
Both sides started brightly, but it was the Bees who took the lead when Lily Whitelock delivered a cross from near the corner flag that was finished emphatically by Brionne Fowle.
Norwich soon responded after being awarded a penalty, with Symonds calmly converting to level the score.
Symonds then struck again before half-time, winning the ball and firing past Tia Ginn to give the visitors a 2–1 lead at the break.
The Bees pushed for an equaliser in the second half and created chances from a pair of free kicks, while manager Dan McKimm made several substitutions to change the momentum.
However, Norwich held firm to secure the win and end the Bees’ unbeaten run.
Dan McKimm will be hoping for a commanding performance from his side this Sunday, as they aim to claim all three points on the road and solidify their position in the top half of the table.