Results

MENS DEVELOPMENT XI - 07/03/2017 VS NORWICH DRAGONS A (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens Development XI 
DATE: 07/03/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens Development XI VS 07/03/2017 
HEADLINE: Too many players 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT: NCHC 1 - 4 Dragons A  
 
REPORT: 
City lost a fairly even contest 4-1 thanks to two late goals as the home team pushed for an equaliser. As the headline suggests juggling a large squad made for a somewhat disjointed performance and in part led to far too much dribbling from senior players who to their credit never gave up but as is often the case tried to do too much in a difficult situation. 
 
City were 2-0 down at half time as Dragons' counter attacks overwhelmed the City defence.  
 
City started the second half brightly with good work down the right (Robert McCall, Jonty Black and Toby Pallister) looking the most likely source of a home goal. However, a good midfield move saw Freddie Paterson make an excellent run across the top of the D and then calmly slot the ball into the opposite corner to give the home team some hope. With City pressing for an equaliser and Dragons looking to extend their lead this became and end to end game of too much dribbling interspersed with occasional flowing passing moves. 
 
As the manager tried to balance pitch time substitutions became varied and frequent and it became harder for players to settle into familiar roles. As in the first half, two quick breaks caught an undermanned defence lacking and meant, the score line was somewhat flattering to the visitors. 
 
The City man of the match was Ethan Rushton for a number of excellent saves including one "certain" goal high to his right.  

MENS DEVELOPMENT XI - 04/03/2017 VS NORWICH DRAGONS B (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens Development XI 
DATE: 04/03/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens Development XI VS 04/03/2017 
HEADLINE: Five of the best 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Dragons Den 
RESULT: Dragons B 2 - 5 Norwich City  
 
REPORT: 
Following City's all too comfortable (13-1) victory in this fixture a couple of weeks ago Dragons very sensibly bolstered their side with three adults which made for a competitive game. City started well with some excellent passing and moving, in particular from Rocco Iaccarino and Monty Platt, who just kept the game simple and switched the play intelligently from side to side. It was somewhat against the run of play when a Dragons break resulted in a goal, City being guilty of a slightly too attacking mindset. 
 
What was particularly pleasing was the way the team then responded with some dazzling stickwork from Jonty Black and Rio Iaccarino complementing some excellent running on and off the ball from Robert McCall, Ethan Ruston and the ever impressive Freddie Paterson. A mazey run by Black in the insight right channel followed by a cut inside and reverse stick shot into the left hand corner levelled the score. Whilst City continued to dominate they were guilty of over-respecting and in some cases being intimidated by Dragons' adult players. With five minutes left in the half Black made it 2-0 with a simple tap in following a well- worked short corner. 
 
Following a swift team talk, City were much more competitive in the second half with Rio Iaccarino, Monty Platt and Joseph Roy really getting to grips with closing down and competing against the adult players. A simple move down the right and cross led to a somewhat fortuitous equaliser for Dragons following a deflection through the attacker's and defender's legs and past a happless Josie Miller in goal....definitely chalk that one down to the bizarre category. 
 
With the potential for an unlikely upset on the cards City reverted to simple passing hockey thanks to keeping an excellent shape. The defensive pairing of Cameron Husband and Reuben Cooke continue to impress with an excellent reading of the game allayed with a calm enforcement of the art of defending. Cooke in particular occasionally shows "Bobby Moore-esque" (showing my age) qualities when he turns an nterception into attack. 
 
A delightful move down City's right (McCall to Hyatt to Platt to George Sommerville) saw a magnificent Sommerville cross turned just wide of the post by the ebullient Malachy McDonnell. What a goal that would have been! With the bit between his teeth Rio Iaccarino put City back in the lead with a pass, dribble, reverse stick shot combination. Just five minutes later Rio got his second following a neat move from midfield out to the right, back and around and a simple shot. Confidence resumed, City then cut out Dragons' long ball breakouts and put the icing on the cake with a neatly taken goal from Robert McCall. 
 
At 5-2 the whole team became men on a mission. 
 
An excellent game, some very good (simple and complex) play, and evidence of some nice partnerships developing. It was also great to see the players listening, learning and understanding their roles. Reuben Cooke was deservedly named man of the match for yet another mature display of how to defend with style! 
 
 

MENS DEVELOPMENT XI - 18/02/2017 VS NORWICH DRAGONS B (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens Development XI 
DATE: 18/02/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens Development XI VS 18/02/2017 
HEADLINE: Near perfection 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Dragons Den 
RESULT: Norwich City 13 - 1 Dragons B 
 
REPORT: 
A strong City side dominated this game from beginning to end with a mixture of slick passing and dynamic dribbling. Ethan Rushton opened the scoring with a clinical slap in following a perfect move down the right and pinpoint slip back. Ethan's goal was celebrated by the team as just reward for spending much of the season as keeper. Goals from Rio Iaccarino, Elliot Fox and Richie Mann made it 4-0 inside the first 12 minutes. A quiet word from the coach reminding players to pass rather than over dribble led to a further 6 goals in the first half courtesy of Rio, Freddie Paterson, Alex Tomkinson, Max Merron and Monty Platt. Half time score 10-0. 
 
Dragons quite sensibly bolstered their defence with an adult at half time and this made for a much better game in the second half. City still dominated with some excellent running off the ball, particularly from Mann, Patterson and Jonty Black. Further goals from Richie Mann and Freddie Paterson before Dragons managed a consolation goal following a great save by their keeper they broke at pace down the right, followed by a perfect pass and shot. Paterson completed the scoring and his hat trick. 
 
Games (and score lines) like these don't come around very often so it was particularly pleasing to see proper hockey played throughout and whilst City were in the ascendency they were, as ever, indebted to telling defensive interventions from Will Farrow, Cameron Husband, Reuben Cooke and Rocco Iaccarino. 
 
And finally, a word or two of commendation for both sets of players, there was excellent cameraderie on and off the pitch. Well done to City for playing properly and well done to Dragons for never giving up. 
 
 

MENS DEVELOPMENT XI - 28/01/2017 VS NORWICH DRAGONS A (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens Development XI 
DATE: 28/01/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens Development XI VS 28/01/2017 
HEADLINE: Perfect dozen 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Dereham 
RESULT: Norwich City 12 - 0 Dereham 
 
REPORT: 
From the outset it became apparent that City were by far the stronger team and as the score line suggests were dominant throughout. Yes 12-0 sounds good and was good but what was even more pleasing was the way City continued to play neat and mostly simple hockey throughout. The other standout feature of the game was the never give up attitude of a young and inexperienced Dereham team, in this regard they were an absolute credit to themselves, their coaches and their club. 
 
Alex Tomkinson opened the scoring inside the first five minutes with a no nonsense tap in which was quickly followed by goals from Joseph Roy, Jonty Black and Toby Pallister to make it 4-0 after the first quarter. With the luxury of knowing the result was beyond doubt substitutions were many and varied, including an "if you score you're off" policy that all the players embraced. Again, what was pleasing was the way players adapted to often unfamiliar positions and still maintained a pass and move mentality. Who'd have thought of Cameron Husband as a goal poacher (more of that later) or Alex Tomkinson as an inside or Toby Pallister as a sort of forward centre back.....well you just never know until you try! 
 
For the record the goal scorers were Joseph Roy (4); Toby Pallister (2); Ethan Rushton; Freddie Paterson; Jonty Black; Sam Hyatt; Alex Tomkinson; and Cameron Husband. 
 
At half time with the score 8-0 City had two aims, fast passing hockey (mission accomplished), and get a goal for Robert McCall. Why Robert you ask? Well.......he (along with Malachy McDonnell) worked tirelessly all game but Robert's shots just kept finding the keeper, going just wide of the goal or simply getting blocked. There was one move when Ethan, Freddie, Malachy and Jonty all could have (and should have in normal circumstances) shot but instead they resolutely looked to pass to Robert....whose shot would then get blocked!  
 
On the odd occasion (and yes there were more than one or two) when Dereham did attack. Rocco Iaccarino, Cameron Husband and Reuben Cooke snuffled the danger yet still ensured Will Farrow in goal did get to make a few calm and timely saves. 
 
And now back to that Cameron Husband "incident". Picture the scene, the team desperate to set Robert up with a goal, a delightful move down the right, neat interplay in the D, Freddie Paterson with a golden chance to score but instead selflessly passes the ball virtually across the goal line to Robert.....up steps Cam and flicks the ball high into the net.  
 
Man of the match could have been anybody but for sheer effort for the cause the award went to Robert McCall. 

MENS DEVELOPMENT XI - 21/01/2017 VS DEREHAM (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens Development XI 
DATE: 21/01/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens Development XI VS 21/01/2017 
HEADLINE: Oh so close 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Harleston 
RESULT: Magpies 4 - 2 Norwich City 
 
REPORT: 
Having lost their last fixture against Magpies convincingly City were looking for a much better collective team effort and that is exactly what they got. Whilst the home side started well and went ahead inside 10 minutes despite a number of excellent saves by Will Farrow. City then rallied and forced their hosts onto the back foot with a 15 minute period of sustained pressure. Whilst Reuben Cooke and Cameron Husband were emmence in defence the midfield of man of the match Sam Hyatt, Joseph Roy, Cameron Tasker and Rocco Iaccarino kept their shape beautifully to enable wave after wave of attack at the same time thwarting desperate Magpies clearances. Freddie Paterson's and Robert McCall's running on and off the ball on the front line was a source of constant threat. A neat penalty corner move nearly levelled the score. Somewhat against the run of play Magpies broke and scored one of those annoying slow motion into the bottom corner goals to go in at half time 2-0 up. 
 
The second half was a fantastic advertisement of youth hockey, with first one side then the other in the ascendency. Jonty Black and Monty Platt controlled City's attacks linking up with Alex Tomkinson, Oliver Moore and Freddie Paterson to create numerous attacks. As in the first half Magpies slightly against the run of play extended their lead however, City responded immediately, a neat penalty corner (Roy injection for a Black stick stop and a Hyatt thunderbolt). 3-1 and game on! Five minutes later and a slightly less clinical Hyatt penalty corner strike somehow beat the keeper. 3-2. 
 
Now it was real end-to-end stuff with the home side scoring their 4th in the dying moments. 
 
 
 

MENS DEVELOPMENT XI - 14/01/2017 VS NORWICH DRAGONS B (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens Development XI 
DATE: 14/01/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens Development XI VS 14/01/2017 
HEADLINE: Young City side edged out in even contest 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Taverham Recreational Facility 
RESULT: NCHC 0 - 1 Dereham 
REPORT: 
City chose to select a very young side for this fixture and include no less than 4 of their under 12 squad. What was particularly pleasing was the way these youngsters (Sam Hyatt, Archie Ward, Josie Miller and Jack Whitlam) looked totally at home against older opposition that included two adult players. Such maturity bodes well for City in years to come. 
 
The match itself was an evenly fought contest with Joseph Roy, Jonty Black and Monty Platt linking well in midfield and attack. Whilst City looked dangerous in the middle third of the pitch they found it hard to overcome the adult defensive unit employed by the visitors. There were many neat interchanges down both flanks involving at various stages Oliver Moore, Robert McCall, Alex Tomkinson and the debutants Archie Ward, Jack Whitlam and George Sommerville but despite such creative endeavor the home side lacked a cutting or dare I say clinical edge near the D. 
 
In the second half Dereham adopted a very high attacking line which often stretched the home side however, the City defense of the constantly improving Malachy McDonnell and Reuben Cooke dealt with such breakaway attacks in a calm and effective manner. 
 
As is often the case a moment of brilliance decided the game. Grapes picked up the ball near his own D, ran the length of the pitch evading a number of would be City tacklers before slamming the ball into the bottom left corner. There was nothing City's keeper Miller could have done to save the shot. 
 
The final 20 minutes saw City surge forward in search of the equalizer and became a tale of 'close but not quite close enough'. The simplicity of the play down the left (Cooke, Sommerville and Roy) was particularly pleasing to the eye. A special mention of thanks to Robert McCall who yet again showed his versatility by starting the game in attack, moving to midfield and playing the final 10 minutes in defense - all with a calmness and maturity beyond his years. 
 
In terms of bizarre statistics in such an evenly contested game - there were no penalty corners! 
 
Norwich City's man of the match was awarded to Reuben Cooke. 
 

MENS DEVELOPMENT XI - 03/12/2016 VS HARLESTON MAGPIES (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens Development XI 
DATE: 03/12/2016 
FIXTURE: Mens Development XI VS 03/12/2016 
HEADLINE: City youngsters taught a hockey lesson 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT: NCHC 2-7 Magpies 
 
REPORT: 
Sadly this was a game where the City youngsters worked their socks off but were a bit like a sleek sports car whose cylinders were mis-firing. Not a great way to take on a very well drilled and skilful Magpies team! 
 
Magpies took the lead inside the first two minutes and were always the dominant team mixing quick and accurate passing with dynamic running and some excellent dribbling. City stuck to their task defending valiantly but were guilty of dribbling into trouble or delivering a wayward pass just when they looked to have some attacking options. Whilst his team mates collectively struggled to rediscover their own hockey mojo Freddie Paterson looked a threat every time he received the ball to give the home team a glimmer of hope. A long ball from Saverio Iaccarino just before half time allowed Paterson to beat his defender and slot the ball into the bottom corner to leave the score 1-3 at half time. 
 
What little hope of a City resurgence bouyed by the Paterson goal was soon snuffed out thanks to some simple and sometimes clinical hockey. The visitors' maturity in winning penalty corners was something the City team could learn from. Whilst the visitors continues to breach the City defence, and Coty goal it was a real credit to their character that they continued to compete for every ball to the end and it was fitting that Paterson should score with a calm reverse stick shot on the stroke of full time following a delightful pass on the run from Alex Tomkinson. 
 
Whilst the record will show Magpies won 7-2 it could have been much more had it not been for the keeping of Ethan Rushton. 
 
Freddie Paterson was named as City's man of the match. 
 

MENS DEVELOPMENT XI - 26/11/2016 VS NORWICH DRAGONS A (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens Development XI 
DATE: 26/11/2016 
FIXTURE: Mens Development XI VS 26/11/2016 
HEADLINE: Final quarter flourish 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Dragons' Den 
RESULT: Dragons A 4-1 Norwich City 
 
REPORT: If ever there was a game of four quarters this was it. City's classy passing dominated the opening quarter with Rio Iaccarino and Elliot Fox in imperious form. However, the second quarter saw Dragons' adopt a quick and effective counter-attacking style that City struggled to defend. A slick City move down the left with Rocco and Rio Iaccarino and Monty Platt looked to open the scoring but one errant pass saw Dragons turn defence into attack and in a four pass move simply split the City defence and leave Ethan Rushton no chance in the City goal.  
 
The second half started evenly balanced but Dragons extended their lead when Jonty Black was unlucky to see his initial block of a shot deflect into the goal. This lucky break led to Dragons dominating the remainder of the quarter and extending their lead despite the valiant efforts of Rushton in the City goal. 
 
In a bizarre fourth quarter City literally laid siege to the Dragons goal. A 'tap-in' from Robert McCall made it 3-1 before. A Dragons counter attack made it 4-1. Then in a final 10 minutes City could easily have levelled the scores or even won the match with a string of penalty corners and shots that Dragons somehow managed block or edge round the post. 
 
City's man of the match was Rio Iaccarino. 

MENS DEVELOPMENT XI - 19/11/2016 VS DEREHAM (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens Development XI 
DATE: 19/11/2016 
FIXTURE: Mens Development XI VS 19/11/2016 
HEADLINE: City Dev''s emerge victorious 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Dereham 
RESULT: Dereham 0 - 1 Norwich City Hockey Club 
 
REPORT: 
City started brightly with Toby Pallister, Jonty Black, Freddie Paterson and Richie Mann creating a string of early chances. Oliver Moore was unlucky to see his shot slip just wide of the left hand post after a flowing one touch move between Black and Paterson. Undeterred, City maintained the pressure and justly took the lead through Paterson's shot onto the right hand corner. Moore, Mann and Alex Tomkinson all went close but found the two over aged Dereham players a tough obstacle to crack. 
 
Whilst City dominated the first quarter Dereham should have equalised in the second thanks to some neat hockey with the home team's adult players at the heart of their best hockey. Some occasional timely and occasional last-ditch tackles from Cameron Husband and Malachy McDonnell saving City's blushes....and when the defence was breached debutant Josie Miller protected his goal with maturity and ability well beyond his tender years. 
 
The third quarter saw City reassert their control with Joseph Roy and Rocco Iaccarino working tirelessly in midfield, supported by the vision of Sam Hyatt. Jonty Black nearly doubled City's lead when he very nearly deflected a head high ball into the goal only to be thwarted by an equally good reflex save by the keeper. 
 
The fourth quarter saw City nearly "do an England" (vs Spain) with the coach having to remind the players to keep depth and structure to their play rather than the occasional 8 man attack! All ended well with a hard fought but deserved victory. 
 
Debutant Josie Miller was deservedly named man of the match by his peers for a number of positive and important saves. 
 

MENS DEVELOPMENT XI - 12/11/2016 VS NORWICH DRAGONS B (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens Development XI 
DATE: 12/11/2016 
FIXTURE: Mens Development XI VS 12/11/2016 
HEADLINE: City slickers quell Dragons' fire 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: TRF 
RESULT: NCHC 3-0 Dragons B 
 
REPORT: 
City's class and hard work on the training pitch proved the deciding factor in this local derby. From the start City mixed aggressive attacking with some delightful ball retention that stretched a Dragons side including two adults to the limit. Monty Platt opened the scoring in the first quarter after after the initial short corner shot was saved and he slotted his shot into the bottom corner. City had to wait until midway through the third quarter before Freddie Paterson, despite being closely marked by adults for most of the game, found space at the top of the D and produced a perfect pass for Toby Pallister to round the keeper and extend the lead. Paterson completed the scoring when he converted a trademark Jonty Black dribble and cross. 
 
It would be easy to let the scorers take the credit for the victory but it really was the passing and movement both on and off the ball that was the real difference between the two teams.. Black and Pallister combined silky stick skills with Duracell like energy to create space for the tireless efforts of Monty Platt, Robert McCall, Freddie Paterson and Alex Tomkinson on the forward line. The link up play with the midfield of debutant Malachy McDonnell, Sam Hyatt and the increasingly impressive duo of Joseph Roy and Elliot Fox was most pleasing to the eye with the ball being switched from one side of the pitch and back again in Barcelonaesque fashion. Whilst City did dominate the game the Dragons attacks were dealt with calmness and maturity by the blossoming defensive duo of Cameron Husband and Reuben Cooke. Ethan Rushton dealt with the rare shots that threatened his goal. 
 
Elliot Fox was named City man of the match for his excellent positional play and overall distribution. 

MENS DEVELOPMENT XI - 15/10/2016 VS HARLESTON MAGPIES (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens Development XI 
DATE: 15/10/2016 
FIXTURE: Mens Development XI VS 15/10/2016 
HEADLINE: City edged out in local derby 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE:Harleston 
RESULT:Magpies 1-0 City 
 
REPORT: City started slowly and fell behind to a somewhat scrappy but well placed short corner that eluded keeper Ethan Rushton midway through the first quarter. After a quick team talk City then started to take control with Jonty Black's skill and Joseph Roy's mature reading of the game being the decking factor in a tight midfield battle. 
 
As the game developed both teams played some eye-catching hockey with Reuben Cooke and Cameron Husband intelligently moving the ball back and around the defence to set up marauding attacks down both flanks thanks Oliver Moore's, Alex Tomkinson's and Robert McCall's tireless running. These attacks created a number of half chances but nothing clear cut.  
 
A tactical switch at half time saw Freddie Paterson move to inside forward and Richie Mann to a very high attacking role. This switch seemed to get the best out of both players with Paterson's selfless play matched by Mann's energy quite literally wearing out one Magpie defender in particular who looked very relieved when he was substituted...well done Richie. City's best chance when a delightful ball from Cameron Tasker unlocked the home defence to find Mann running at pace into the D at which point he chose to pass (accurately to McCallat the far post) rather than shoot.McCall's reverse stick effort being wellsaved. 
 
The final quarter was virtually one way traffic with City pressing for the equaliser - Roy, Sam Hyatt, Cooke and Husband thwarting Magpie breakaways. In the end this was a tale of fantastic endeavour by two evenly matched teams which the visitors should have salvaged a draw from but it just wasn't to be. 
 

MENS DEVELOPMENT XI - 08/10/2016 VS NORWICH DRAGONS A (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens Development XI 
DATE: 08/10/2016 
FIXTURE: Mens Development XI VS 08/10/2016 
HEADLINE: Stand in (or do I mean stand out) keeper Rushton nearly dampens Dragons fire 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: TRF 
RESULT: 1-2 
 
REPORT: 
Whilst City lost, their manager was delighted with the effort and endeavour his young team showed against a strong Dragons team. In what was always likely to be a hard fought affair Dragons took the early advantage thanks to some neat and decisive play down the right. City's cause was not helped when Cameron Tasker was injured in the first quarter quickly followed by a recurrence of Kurtis Reynolds' ankle injury forced him to retire in the second quarter which stretched the home team's resources to the limit given a number had come straight from playing rugby (dangerous game) against each other!!! 
 
Anyway, I digress, back to the hockey......whilst City took time to settle they were indebted to the keeping of Ethan Rushton and the energy and skill provided by Jonty Black and Freddie Paterson. Dragons took the lead through a somewhat scruffy goal when City blocked numerous shots but failed to clear their lines. Undeterred, an incisive sideline pass from Black found Paterson whose 3-D skills beat the first defender, drove into the D and smashed the ball into the bottom corner, 1-1. 
 
With several players playing in unfamiliar positions Sam Hyatt at central midfield and Joseph Roy showed a calmness and maturity beyond their years. The third quarter was end to end with City saved by some excellent Rushton goal keeping and some extravagant and somewhat off target drag flicks by Dragons. Whilst City were on the back foot they still looked dangerous on the break with Robert McCall and Alex Tomkinson chasing down anything that moved near them! 
 
With five minutes to go Dragons took the lead when the unlucky Cameron Husband deflected a penalty corner into his own goal. City pressed for the equaliser but just couldn't quite find a way through some often stout Dragon's defending. 
 
Huge thanks to the boys who must be shattered having played school sport in the morning/ early afternoon. Training tips for Tuesday... Work on ball retention - if we have it they haven't!!!! 

MENS DEVELOPMENT XI - 01/10/2016 VS DEREHAM (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens Development XI 
DATE: 01/10/2016 
FIXTURE: Mens Development XI VS 01/10/2016 
HEADLINE: Dynamic Devs dominate Dereham 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT: 2-0 
 
REPORT: 
Despite some very late positional juggling moments before the match started due unexpected team changes City started with pace and determination in all areas of the pitch.  
 
The first quarter saw constant City pressure with the inside forwards, Rio Iaccarino and Jonty Black, complementing each other perfectly with a balance of mature calmness and terrier like energy to set up attack after attack. The movement on and off the ball of the new look forward line (Rocco Iaccarino, Freddie Paterson and Monty Platt) looked to be toying with the opposition and after a delightful interchange down the left it was no surprise that Monty opened the scoring. 
 
After a quick team talk (thanks Sam T) the second quarter saw a more cultured approach with the ball being driven forward and then switched 'back and around'. One delectable 5 minute spell seeing almost telepathic passing between Elliot Fox, Joseph Roy and Ethan Rushton which culminated in Freddie's stick skills doubling the home advantage 2-0. 
 
Whilst City remained dominant in the third quarter they were caught napping a couple of times when the defence were (almost too) keen to join the attacks. These momentary lapses gave Will Woodhead the chance to clear his lines with a couple of excellent kicks from the top of his D. As the quarter wore on City created numerous chances with a combination of dazzling dribbling down the left (Jonty/Monty) or passing and moving down the right (Rio, Rocco and Sam Hyatt playing in a very unaccustomed right wing role!). Freddie, Monty, Jonty and Sam all coming close to scoring. Elliot Fox's reading of the game from his deep midfield role was a notable highlight and shows how his reading of the game continues to mature. 
 
Oddly, the final quarter was a much more even affair and City were indebted to some excellent defensive interceptions particularly from Captain Cameron Husband, Kurtis Reynolds and Joseph Roy. Leading 2-0 it appeared that the home side were starting to panick (why oh why?) however in the final 5 minutes City restored some order with sensible 'keep ball' hockey down the wings. 
 
Joseph Roy and Freddie Paterson were jointly named man of the match. 

MENS DEVELOPMENT XI - 24/09/2016 VS NORWICH DRAGONS B (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens Development XI 
DATE: 24/09/2016 
FIXTURE: Mens Development XI VS 24/09/2016 
HEADLINE: City open with comfortable victory 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: TRF 
RESULT: Norwich City 7-1 Norwich Dragons B 
 
City opened the season with a comprehensive victory against their local rivals in good spirited match that left both managers with a lot to be positive about. From the start City always looked the stronger team with Rio Iaccarino and Monty Platt owning the midfield and took the lead from an Elliot Fox penalty corner strike swiftly followed by the gaol of the game purely based on simplicity and coolness of thought. Man of the match Richie Mann showed composure in the D to pass to Freddie Paterson who neatly laid the ball to Fox who calmly slotted home. Mann extended the lead to 3 midway through the second quarter. Sadly two injuries to a Dragons side without substitutes on the stroke of half time effectively ended the contest. In the spirit of the game City consciously reduced their team to 10 before then lending Dragons a player to ensure a better match was had by all. The second half saw further goals from Mann, Rio Iaccarino, Joseph Roy and Cameron Husband who is rarely if ever seen beyond the half way line. Harry Fuller scored a consolation goal for the visitors on the stroke of full time. 
 
 
 
REPORT: