Results

LADIES 1ST XI - 03/12/2017 VS SPALDING (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 1st XI 
DATE: 03/12/2017 
FIXTURE: Womens 1st XI VS 03/12/2017 
HEADLINE: Wembley here we come 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 1 NORTH 
VENUE: Home 
RESULT: 5-0 Win 
 
REPORT: 
After the doom and despair of a disappointing trip to Colchester yesterday, Coach Pies had been forced into retreat somewhere deep in the French alps with only a beer to console him. Not to worry though. As a full squad of 16 Norwich City Womens turned up to take on Spalding in the cup, his mighty understudy awaited, lager in hand, tactics carefully prepped.  
 
Norwich started strongly moving the ball around the pitch well with the defence pair of Danny (x2) and Fongy shutting down any Spalding attacks. It wasn’t long before Krystal battered a ball goalwards. The world turned to celebrate, but no backboard clatter was heard as the Spalding keeper got a crafty left foot in the way. Minutes later Flic found herself in the D. Surely the opener, but this time a crafty right foot kept the clean sheet. Then came Ellie and Jo and Alice and Abbie and Mic but whether it a head, shoulder, knee or toe in the way Norwich couldn’t open the scoring. Fortunately perseverance does pay off (Sunday life lesson #1) and as the first half drew to a close Oli slipped a nifty half volley into the near post. The deadlock was finally broken. Soon after Ellie confused the whole pitch with a lovely pass slid to the back post. It was missed by all of City, but somehow all of Spalding too and the ball trickled over the goal line. The 3rd goal came from Micayla with a well worked dog leg short corner that almost looked like we practiced them. Let’s not talk about the preceding 15. Then came the real magic of the day with a strong midfield run into the D from myself finished with a strike into the bottom corner. Krystal must have been watching because as the sun set on this fabulous game she put away our last short corner making the final score 5 – 0. Role on the next round, did someone say quarter finals? Long may the quest to Wembley continue. 

LADIES 1ST XI - 02/12/2017 VS COLCHESTER 1 (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens 1st XI 
DATE: 02/12/2017 
FIXTURE: Womens 1st XI VS 02/12/2017 
HEADLINE: Disappointing Draw for Womens 1s  
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 1 NORTH 
VENUE: Colchester Garrison  
RESULT: 2-2 
 
REPORT: 
Norwich City womens 1s headed to Colchester hoping to return to winning ways this weekend after a few weeks of disappointing draws. 
 
Unhelped by challenging conditions from a low lying sun, City had a shakey first half. City scored first with a goal from Krystal bishop when she carried the ball wide and neatly put it away into the corner.  
 
Colchester scored twice more before half time from short corner pieces, and City were unable to answer with a goal of their own, going into half time 2-1 down, the first time City have gone into the break chasing the game.  
 
After a rousing talk from coach Pies City came out more determined in the second half and valiantly defended a number of penalty corners from Colchester managed to win.  
 
City scored a second goal from Harriet Johnson who relieved a ball from Felicity Williams from the T spot to take a strike and slot the ball into the far corner.  
 
Final score 2-2 with POM going to Harriet Johnson.  

LADIES 3RD XI - 02/12/2017 VS NORWICH DRAGONS 5 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 3rd XI 
DATE: 02/12/2017 
FIXTURE: Womens 3rd XI VS 02/12/2017 
HEADLINE:  
LEAGUE: NORFOLK PREMIER DIVISION 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: 
RESULT: 1-0 
 
REPORT: 
The match started with city showing dominant play. Great attacking from Liv, Emily, Kirsten, Jenny S and Rosie lead to numerous chances at goal, city then managed to convert their chances in a goal from a short corner with a goal from Emily.S. Some great defensive moves from Kim, Fiona, Rachel, Emily and Jenny B meant we could remain in the lead. Great match and another great result with 3 points gained. Thank you Emma for playing in goal - only touched the ball once, a great clean sheet. 
 

LADIES DEVELOPMENT XI B - 02/12/2017 VS HARLESTON MAGPIES (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens Development XI B 
DATE: 02/12/2017 
FIXTURE: Womens Development XI B VS 02/12/2017 
HEADLINE: City Girls edge a close one at Harleston 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Shortford Heath, Harleston 
RESULT: Harleston Magpies 0-1 Norwich City 
 
REPORT: 
 
These two giants of Norfolk Womens development league hockey met for the second time this season on this bright but chilly Suffolk morning. Both sides played fast flowing attacking hockey and both sides were resolute in defence with quick passing and ferocious tackling in equal measure. Ultimately though, the City girls just edged this one in a ‘must win’ game which keeps the league title race wide open until these sides meet once again in February. 
 
In a first quarter of few chances, Norwich looked to be the stronger of the two teams but other than a dubiously disallowed goal from Evie, were unable to break down a well disciplined Harleston defence who soaked up most of the Norwich pressure and hit back with quick counter-attacks which were stopped in their tracks by Sabina, Tabby and Mia in the City back three. 
 
The second quarter was somewhat of a role-reversal with Magpies in the ascendency and City resorting to counter-attacks of their own. Midway through the quarter, the first real chance of the day came from an uncharacteristic errant pass across the City back-line which was snapped up by the Magpies centre forward. Through on goal and with only the keeper to beat, she planted her feet and swung her stick, hitting a beautifully placed shot towards the the right of the City goal. Sophia Colman’s left foot moved like a striking cobra to deflect the ball wide, saving an almost certain goal in a splendid display of goalkeeping that kept the match delicately poised at the half way stage. 
 
Half Time: Harleston Magpies 0-0 Norwich City 
 
It was the Harleston goalkeeper’s turn to pull off a top-class save as the third quarter got underway. After a good start by Norwich, the first short corner of the match was dribbled to the left by the nimble-footed Niamh before she unleashed a piledriver of a reverse sweep towards the top corner. How the keeper got her hand to it is a question that only she could answer, but she did, and the stalemate continued. As the quarter progressed, player of the match Lucy H began to pull the strings in the centre of midfield and showed exceptional vision to thread through balls to Niamh and Lucy W before a beauty to Evie was perfectly placed for her to turn the last defender on the 25-yard line and race in to the Magpies D, coolly slotting the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper to put City in front. 
 
The fourth quarter was much like the first with both defences in control and chances few and far between. The Norwich girls had the better of the sparse opportunities with the second short-corner of the game won by Niamh after good interplay with Livi down the right and Lucy H drawing another fabulous save from the Harleston goalkeeper with a thunderbolt shortly afterwards. 
 
Final Score: Harleston Magpies 0-1 Norwich City 
 
 

MENS 2ND XI - 02/12/2017 VS NORWICH DRAGONS (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 2nd XI 
DATE: 02/12/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 2nd XI VS 02/12/2017 
HEADLINE: City slay the dragon 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 2 NORTH 
VENUE: Dragons Den 
RESULT: 5-1 
 
REPORT: city’s 2’s arrived at the den hoping for a greater challenge than they had faced th W previous week against below par Horncastle.  
 
They dusted themselves down from their Friday night antics, dropped off their Xmas trees and forgot one or two hey Scotty, and got down to business immediately putting the hosts under tremendous pressure and forcing the turnovers in the midfield. This hard press paid off quickly with Jeremy Elliott collecting some turnover ball and eased around the outside of the right back only to caress the reverse shot (massive top) over the onrushing keeper. 1-0 
 
The hosts were quick to reply in what was one of few periods of pressure on city’s circle to win a short corner and routinely play the resulting shot underneath the stand in keeper Ali Cooke. 1-1 
 
City followed up with a short corner of their own and Jeremy Elliott finished calmly putting a drag flick past the flailing keepers left hand, one he must of thought he could save. 2-1.  
 
There was little further points of action and city were rushed off the pitch by their captain Hindle for a half time de-brief or rollicking! The brief was put plainily to the team and they seemed to respond and quickly as the likes of Stuart Wardle, Ben Plumb and Tom Hindle started to link up brilliantly creating a host of chances, one such move smartly finished by the ever running Ben Plumb. 3-1 
 
This was quickly followed up by a number of short corners whereby Jeremy Elliott was given the opportunity of buying his jug with another drag flick finish this time hitting the side netting and entirely illuding the keeper and post man. 4-1 
 
City kept up the high pace game and continued to create a plethora of chances with Wardle and Elliott linking up down the right and Fretwell and young George Brine down the left. One such move resulting in a city forward being “slaughtered” by the hosts centre back and the umpire quickly awarding a penalty stroke. Up steps Jeremy to add his fourth.  
 
The game petered out with few more chances created and city looking forward to next weeks crunch game against pelicans.  
 

MENS 3RD XI - 02/12/2017 VS NORWICH CITY 4 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 02/12/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 02/12/2017 
HEADLINE: Scrappy game sees 3s take the glory  
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: TRF - H20 
RESULT: 3-0 Win 
 
REPORT: 
In the 3s / 4s interclub game it was the 3s who took the spoils in what was a nervy but solid performance which saw them overline comfortable winners. Ali Shearer openend the scoring with a low finish into the corner following a good City move down the right hand side. The 4s were playing well however and it was Dim Ives in goal that kept the 3s 1-0 up at half time.  
 
The 2nd half the 4s continued to play well and press the 3s well, however the defence of Clabon, Ling Jones, Nichols and Shearer were not really troubled and Ives in goal made the crucial saves when called into action. A PC was the route for the 2nd goal for the 3s as Luther had a good shot at goal which Darley in the 4s goal could only pary to Mark Fletcher who finished high into the goal. With 10 minutes to go the 3s made the game safe as Charlie Jones played a great cross field ball to Tom Nichols who finished well into the corner.  
 
All in all not a great game but a win and a clean sheet, onto next week! 
 

MENS 4TH XI - 02/12/2017 VS NORWICH CITY 3 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 4th XI 
DATE: 02/12/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 4th XI VS 02/12/2017 
HEADLINE: Club matched... 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT: 1:3 
 
REPORT:As per 3s report 
 

MENS DEVELOPMENT XI - 02/12/2017 VS HARLESTON MAGPIES (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens Development XI 
DATE: 02/12/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens Development XI VS 02/12/2017 
HEADLINE: So near yet so far 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT: NCHC 1-2 Magpies 
 
REPORT: 
Grrrrrrr!!!! OK so that's the Shakespearean prose bit over. 
 
A huge thank you to my young squad for competing to the very end and coming oh so close to a well deserved equaliser. The fact that three players came straight from playing against each other at rugby (hard fought match but fortunately they didn't injure each other!!!) shows the desire and commitment these youngsters possess.  
 
In fact the rugby caused a bit of a problem at the start of the game with our three fitness heros (Rocco Iaccarino, Jonty Black and Oliver Moore) still in transit. Undeterred, a quick if a little random positional jigsaw with Alex Illing playing as an attcker and the very young 11 that were there (Krishna Patel, Corey Rushton and Mattie Roy all being Under 12) give it their all. Wow.....well done guys for slotting in to unfamiliar positions and competing so well and well done to the senior players (Sam Hyatt, Freddie Roy, Archie Ward, Jack Whitlam and Ethan Rushton) for working so well on and off the ball for the benefit of the team. 
 
The short version......We went behind to a well worked goal mid way through the first quarter and the score stayed that way until half time. Both teams were indebted to their excellent keepers - Will Farrow making a couple of top quality dives to keep the score to just 1-0. In terms of the judges scores, 
 
The third quarter was scruffy with both teams combining skill and determination with a bit of good old physicality....nothing like a local derby. City almost equalised when a Sam Hyatt crash pass found Jack Whitlam in the D who attempted to flick the ball first time at full speed and just failed to make contact with his stick...a case of what a goal that might have been!!!! Magpies the. Extended their lead to make it 2-0 wth just one quarter left. 
 
The fourth quarter saw City throw the proverbial kitchen sink at the Magpies goal. Jonty made it 2-1 with a calm finish following a short corner. The Will made an epic save and Oliver Millett chased the full length of the pitch to make a tackle in our D and then sprinted right down the other end to cross the ball at full stretch at the other end. Jonty, Jack and Freddie were all thwarted by Elliot in the Magpies goal (who annoyingly seems to save his best for games against us!!) 
 
As fitting for such a hard fought match there were 7 players that received nominations for man of the match wth Jonty just pipping it by receiving two votes ( despite me missing this when adding the votes up at the club.....I'll blame it on over excitement and some awful hand writing!!!!) 
 
 

MENS MASTERS XI - 03/12/2017 VS CITY OF PETERBOROUGH (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens Masters XI 
DATE: 03/12/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens Masters XI VS 03/12/2017 
HEADLINE: City's cup run ended after sudden death strokes 
CUP: MENS OVER 50's CUP  
VENUE: PETERBOROUGH  
RESULT: PETERBOROUGH 2 NORWICH CITY 2 (8-7 aps) 
 
REPORT: 
City's inaugural foray into the Over 50's cup ended in defeat at the hands of Peterborough after sudden death penalty strokes.. 
The match started badly for City as Peterborough took the lead after a couple of minutes, however, City worked their way back into the match moving the ball around well and using the wings to good effect. City gained a short corner and David White struck the ball well to gain City an equaliser. Peterborough pressed again and retook the lead. City continued to use the wings to good effect, a sideline hit on the right inside the 23 by Nick Chapallaz found Ali Wardale just outside the circle who drove to the goalline and picked out Ian Andrews at the far post who coolly converted. With the scores level at the break the match could have gone either way. Peterborough gained the ascendency after the break and City were indebted to some fine defending from Al Paterson, Simon Black and man of the match John Ingham along with some good saves from keeper Simon Bullen. City counter attacked in the latter stages and were denied a winner when David White hit the post, the match ending at two a piece.  
Strokes ensued City going first and again getting off to a bad start as David White flicked wide. The following eight strokes were converted, Dave Brown, John Ingham, John Grange and Ali Wardale being successful for City. Peterboroughs Jon Dakin stepped up for the last stroke to take Peterborough through but placed against the post. Onto sudden death. John Grange, John Ingham and Dave Brown converted for City, but unfortunately skipper Ali Wardale’s stroke was well saved by the City keeper, Peterborough converting to end City’s short lived cup run.