Results

MENS 1ST XI - 02/02/2025 VS CHELMSFORD 1 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 1st XI 
DATE: 02/02/2025 
FIXTURE: Mens 1st XI VS 02/02/2025 
HEADLINE: Men's First Team back after long Christmas break 
LEAGUE: CONFERENCE MIDLANDS 
VENUE: Chelmer Park 
RESULT: 1-4 loss  
 
REPORT: After a cold January and many frozen off sessions the mid season break had been turbulent, but the same was true for everyone so it wasn't expected to have too much of an impact on the return to league hockey. Norwich had one of their shorter away days to ease them back in and were met with a rarely seen bit of sunshine and 10° weather in Chelmsford after it having been -2° overnight, the UK weather always keeping you guessing. 
It was obvious both teams were eager to score from the off, playing long and playing fast and ready to get back to league hockey. After a few entries but nothing too threatening in the first 5 minutes, it was Chelmsford who broke the deadlock with a fluid move around the 23 and a reverse into the near corner. 2 minutes later and Norwich and equalized through an Elliot Hibell drag flick and the nerves after going down a goal early were settled. Both sides calmed their attacking threat thereafter and tried to bring some control to the back and forth affair, but neither could take charge. First Norwich threatened through a Louis Preston ball across the D that Cam Cooke couldnt quite get to and then Chelmsford won their first short corner, Fraser Evans was equal to it. Q1 ended 1-1.  
Q2 saw the battle for control continue, first Norwich threatened through Jonty Black with a ball round the keeper that the last defender just beat Max Wilson to and then Chelmsford won their 2nd panelty corner of the game and made it count to take the lead again but then Norwich broke straight the other way and Tom and Cam Cooke nicely worked into the D but just couldn't get past the keeper to equalize once again. With a minute to go in the first half Chelmsford scored with the same PC routine and took a commanding 2 goal lead to take the momentum in to half time in what had been an evenly battled first half.  
Q3 and the first match after Christmas showed, bodies and pace of play tiring before you'd usually expect and pass and first touches going awry. Norwich having the greater possession but neither side pulling much together. The quarter ended as it started, 3-1.  
Q4 still all to play for as both sides created chances. But 5 minutes in and Chelmsford has scored another penalty corner. This was likely to be the nail in the coffin. Norwich pushed and pushed, created a few chances but couldn't strong too many brutal attacks together that broke chelmsfords stout defence. The game ended 4-1. Not the best Norwich display. Chelmsford wanted it more on the day. Not the way Norwich would've liked to restart the campaign. They go again in 6 days time at home to try and regain some form and finish the season on a high.