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Norwich City Women looking forward to crucial game at Carrow Road

By Joe DeanBBC Radio Norfolk Sport
Norwich City Women at Carrow Road
Norwich City Women celebrate their 5-3 win over Ashford in front of more than 7,000 supporters at Carrow Road in April 2023

Norwich City's Women are looking forward to another big game at Carrow Road on Sunday, with QPR the visitors.

More than 5,000 tickets have been sold and promotion from the National League Division One South East is on the line.

The Canaries are eight points behind leaders Wimbledon but have two games in hand.

With the season nearing its end and just one promotion place up for grabs, there's little margin for error.

The National League Division One South East table
The title race is going to the wire, with Norwich and Wimbledon still to play each other

Megan Todd is one of the longest-serving players, and she has seen the club move from the periphery of the Norwich City set-up to being a fully-integrated part of the club.

Playing at Carrow Road is an experience she never expected to have, but having played two league games at the stadium in 2023 it's something they are getting used to.

"We can deal with the emotion and not get too caught up in the occasion, but still enjoy the occasion," said Todd.

"It's a fine balance. Obviously we're in a title race and we have to win every game.

Megan Todd and Sarah Quantrill
Megan Todd (left) and Sarah Quantrill are looking forward to Sunday's clash with QPR at Carrow Road

"But on the other side, when you look around and you see all the young kids coming to support and the families coming out, it gives you a 'wow' moment, and it's why you play the sport and play for this club. It's really special.

"It's a great occasion to celebrate girls' and women's football - the noise and the atmosphere is incredible. We're going through a journey, and I hope one day we'll sell out Carrow Road."

Sarah Quantrill at Chelsea
Sarah Quantrill had experience of big games during her time with Women's Super League giants Chelsea

Goalkeeper Sarah Quantrill has taken the scenic route to playing for her childhood club on the big stage.

She spent time as Chelsea's back-up goalkeeper, including putting on a spectacular display in a 2-0 FA Cup semi-final victory over another of her former sides, Arsenal, in 2012. She was an unused substitute in the final as Chelsea lost on penalties to Birmingham.

Since then, she's played for Liverpool, Millwall, London Bees and local rivals Ipswich - but now she's back where it all started and she is looking forward to Sunday.

"Growing up, you'd have dreamed of playing in a big stadium. You see it on TV and wish you could be there - and then for it to actually happen, it's pretty special," she said.

"When we were growing up, it was a struggle to find a girls' team but now every club has a girls' team.

"It gives you goose-bumps when you're lining up in the tunnel and you can hear everyone singing and chanting, and then you walk out.

"It's such a weird experience - it's so hard to explain it."

You can listen to full live commentary of Norwich City Women v QPR Women on Sunday on BBC Radio Norfolk - kick-off is at 14:00 GMT with the build-up from 13:30 GMT

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