Norwich City Women are firmly in the promotion race within Women's National League Division One South East, currently holding a two-point lead at the top of the table. This commanding position follows a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Dulwich Hamlet, marking a significant milestone as they reach the halfway point of the season.
In a thrilling conclusion to the match, Grace Riglar emerged as the standout player for the Canaries, converting a penalty during stoppage time after a foul on teammate Eloise King. This win highlights Norwich's impressive record of 10 victories in their last 11 league matches, showcasing their outstanding form. However, head coach Andy Cook remains cautious, reminding his players that only the team finishing first will secure promotion from the division. Last season, Norwich narrowly missed out, finishing second to Real Bedford.
Reflecting on the team's progress during an interview with BBC Radio Norfolk, Cook stated, "We were sixth or seventh this time last year, so to be top of the league is fantastic, but there's been a hell of a lot of work gone into getting us to this point. It shouldn't be discounted how well we've played in 2025. We've got one more game left in the year, and the whole squad has been absolutely superb. I just shout at them a little bit and cajole them now and again when they need it."
Despite their current success, Norwich City Women face ongoing challenges. Their nearest competitors, Fulham, who previously handed Norwich their only defeat of the season in August, have a game in hand following a postponed match against Luton Town. The forthcoming encounter at The Nest on February 8 is anticipated to be crucial in determining the title race.
Millie Daviss, a full-back for City, emphasised the importance of maintaining focus, stating, "We're taking it game by game really. We know exactly what we want to achieve this season and if we can keep scoring goals and keeping clean sheets - I don't know how many that is now - then hopefully good things will happen."
Looking ahead, Norwich will take on mid-table opponents Actonians this Sunday, and Daviss is preparing for a challenging match. "They've played us before this season, so they'll know what we're about and what we want to do. They may combat that in a certain way, and we need to figure out how to get round that," she warned.
With ambition and resilience at the forefront, Norwich City Women are gearing up for a serious promotion challenge as they navigate the second half of the season.