The second game of the new season saw Cambridge United Women travel eastbound to the Nest, as they faced Norwich City Ladies, the team's away fixture after facing Actonians at home in week one...
The U's suffered a 2-0 defeat on Sunday afternoon as the home side took home the points, leaving United still searching for their first of the new campaign.
The match began with promising signs from Marjoram's side, pressing Norwich high into their own area, intercepting well, and creating options around the opposition box. The first threatening moment came from a free-kick awarded to Cambridge just three minutes in, as Cheal-Ferris was brought down on the left side of the penalty area. The U's weren't able to convert in this instance though, as the keeper met the ball in the air to punch out of trouble.
Mollie Coupar made her first start since re-joining the U's on Monday - she came through the Club's junior ranks before transferring to Tier-3 side MK Dons at the age of 16. The forward found herself in a promising position early on, as a ball floated over from the right, but after getting a touch off, her effort was tipped out of play by the Norwich keeper. Stojko-Down took the resulting corner and the ball was rattled around the goal mouth before it being cleared away by the Canaries defence.
Until this point in the game, the U's had done well to stomp out any Norwich City's advances, intercepting a number of passes in midfield. Their first chance at goal came after a weaving run forward opened up an angle on goal, but the shot was welcomed into the hands of Webb and the scoresheet remained level.
The home side then capitalised on another opportunity through the U's defence to put them into the lead. A ball from the left found Norwich forward Tash Snelling, who turned into a tight window and slotted the ball into the right side of the goal.
Norwich were gathering momentum and they became the more dominant side in what had been a fairly equal contest so far, however Marjoram's side showed resilience and kept pressing for opportunities in the latter stages of the half.
United came close to equalising in the closing moments of the half - Bella Simmons forcing a save from the edge of the area, as the U's went into the break behind by a goal.
The second half began with United on the attack once again. After Cheal-Ferris was brought down after a blow to her lower leg, the resulting free kick was floated high and towards the penalty spot where Emma Wallis guided the ball towards goal, but Quantrill was equal to the shot and able to scoop it up.
Marjoram's team were showing solid defensive control to thwart the majority of Norwich's attacks. Right-back Lauren Rouse was able to intercept a number of balls played down the left side, mitigating the ensuing danger had they been met by a Canary.
Once again, the game seemed to level out before the home side capitalised on an opportunity in front of goal. Tash Snelling scoring her second of the game after latching onto Moore's perfect cross.
Keeping up the fight, Rosy Wodhams was able to poke the ball out from Norwich possession into the penalty area, Stojko-Down couldn't quite get to the ball before it was cleared out by the keeper.
Despite their best efforts to get back into the contest, the hosts held out to secure the victory and send United home empty handed.
The next opportunity comes on Sunday 1 September at 2pm, as United face Chesham United at the Premier Plus Stadium in St Neots. Tickets cost £5 for Adults and are free for Under 18s and Men's Season Ticket Holders.
View the best photos from the game via our below gallery.
