Norwich City Ladies slipped to a 7-2 defeat at high-flying Old Actonians Ladies in the South East Division One.

Eastern Daily Press: Emily Moerkerk slots the ball through with Grace Parker watching on. Picture: Brian CoombesEmily Moerkerk slots the ball through with Grace Parker watching on. Picture: Brian Coombes (Image: Archant)

Playing downhill on a soft pitch, Norwich settled into the game well.

Early possession saw attempts come and go without reward at both ends, but on 10 minutes Actonians struck first with Mariko Engels beating Fiona Coombes, the Norwich keeper.

From the restart Norwich took possession and Chelsea Garrett made it all square just two minutes later.

Norwich, looking open in midfield, failed to deal with the Actonians attack and Carla Williams made it two for the home side on 19 minutes and three on 32 minutes when she scored her second.

Eastern Daily Press: Charlotte Broad strikes the ball with Luka Goodfield in the foreground, Picture: Brian CoombesCharlotte Broad strikes the ball with Luka Goodfield in the foreground, Picture: Brian Coombes (Image: Archant)

With Actonians on a high a fourth followed two minutes later when Engels found the net to score her second. Norwich, now on the back foot, were forced to defend for the remainder of the half.

In the second half Norwich changed their shape and looked stronger for the first 10 minutes.

After a spell of pressure, Alessandra Barreca scored Actonians' fifth on 74 minutes, followed a minute later by their second substitution Micheala Lopes making way for Katrina Marshalleck.

This seemed to be a catalyst for Actonians, as three minutes later Marshalleck scored number six.

As play moved into nine minutes of injury time, both teams mounted attacks.

Actonians were rewarded in the 97th minute when Barreca scored her second of the day, but Norwich found a late consolation goal when Aimee Durrant found the net to make the final score 7-2.

Norwich miss out on points from this away fixture, but will go again in this season's first derby match tomorrow at home to Ipswich Town Ladies.

Norwich: Coombes, Goodfield, Everson, Diston (Ward 55), Parker, Drake, Shorten, Snelling (Moerkerk 65), Garrett, Broad, Love (Durrant 65). Subs not used: Brogan, Turner

Actonians: Hornsell, Murphy, Olofsson, Stone, Byrne, Barreca, Engels (Friel 68), Lopes (Marshalleck 75), Hollingsworth, Williams, Kensbock. Subs not used: Uche, Wan

Referee: Alexandra Lupano

Attendance: 12