Results

WOMENS 2ND XI - 08/01/2022 VS HARLESTON MAGPIES 3 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 2nd XI 
DATE: 08/01/2022 
FIXTURE: Womens 2nd XI VS 08/01/2022 
HEADLINE: New Year, Same Ambition 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 2 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: TRF 
RESULT: 2-0 Win 
 
REPORT: 
Thankful that the midweek ice had disappeared, City 2s took on Magpies 3s at home to start the second half of the season. The team were excited for Sophie Bendon's debut in City colours. 
 
As the whistle sounded it was clear the Christmas break had taken a toll on City's movement. The team were not playing with their usual energy and sharpness. City dominated much of the play, but were struggling to find much needed space in a very congested Magpies D. The Magpies keeper remained solid, kicking away every City shot. However, City remained focused and knew such constant pressure would eventually lead to rewards. 
 
An early chance on goal saw a stunning cross from Emily Leeming on the right into Emma Hewitt who struck the ball cleanly on her reverse, forcing a save from the Magpies keeper. 
 
Magpie's managed to formulate a number of breaking attacks, but found themselves face to face with City's determined and confident defence of Ella Gill, Sally Rose, Leigh-Ann Worrall, Lucy Walton and keeper Georgina Barratt. Magpies most successful passage of play culminated in a save off of the line from the cool, calm and collected Lucy Walton. 
 
With the rain getting heavier, the second half got under way. City was focused on improving their movement to aid a break through. Well timed runs from City's midfield engines Hanna Hall and Emily Francis created much needed movement and space. As a result, Georgia Cleveland was able to use vision to distribute the ball wide to an on the move Mia Moore in the bottom right hand corner. Mia delivered a thundering cross to a perfectly placed Danielle Sizer, who ensured the ball crossed the line. City had finally broken through the Magpies defence.  
 
Citys persistent drives into the Magpie D were rewarded with frequent short corners, Magpies number one runner repeatedly and bravely put her body on the line to deny City a second goal. 
 
However, City's perseverance eventually paid off and led to a perfectly executed short corner routine. The cracking sound of the backboard from Rosie Humphrey confirmed City 2s as the victors in what was a hard fought game. City 2s remain undefeated and march on towards their goal of promotion. 

WOMENS 3RD XI - 08/01/2022 VS CARROW 1 (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens 3rd XI 
DATE: 08/01/2022 
FIXTURE: Womens 3rd XI VS 08/01/2022 
HEADLINE: A cold and wet Saturday morning… 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST NORTH 
VENUE: Langley  
RESULT: Won 5-0 
 
REPORT: 
Faced with very challenging weather conditions L3's arrived at Langley School happy to be together again and ready to face Carrow 1st squad. 
The game began with both teams fighting hard from the whistle, but with NCHC keeping most of the possession, even though not playing their most polished hockey. Grace Hanworth-Knights scored the first goal, after a stellar run taking on and beating a number of players. NCHC then began to slowly find their formation, resulting in another goal assisted by a great pass from Hanworth-Knights to a perfectly placed Marie Hood who confidently put the ball in the back of the net. Half time was greeted with L3's leading 2-0. 
 
After a firm but fair discussion at half time L3's returned for the second half resolute to play simple passes, keep the possession and communicate. This resulted in the 3's dominating the second half. A short corner was won early on which resulted with Ellie Alderton scoring off the rebound of an excellent drag flick from Emma Richardson. Two further goals - a fantastic strike from Hanworth-Knights and a perfect deflection off the back post from Gabby Sharpe made the final score 5-0.  
 
This result was a real team effort. great play from each member of the squad resulted in a well deserved scoreline. Proof that working together and communicating will get the results!! 

WOMENS 5TH XI - 08/01/2022 VS LODDON (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 5th XI 
DATE: 08/01/2022 
FIXTURE: Womens 5th XI VS 08/01/2022 
HEADLINE: A brilliant team win 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 4 NORTH EAST NORTH 
VENUE: 
RESULT: 
 
REPORT: 
In what was a cold and wet start to the day City 5’s played Loddon in a friendly match. We didn’t quite know what to expect as Loddon aren’t in our league, but nevertheless went out all guns blazing and played some great hockey as a team. Unfortunately, we lost Emily Winter to injury early on in the game, but we didn’t let this phase us and continued to push on. The game was end-to-end, with both teams quickly getting into it, but it was Loddon who scored first, and though City had many chances we didn’t manage to equalise (yet). The halftime score was 1-0 to Loddon. In the second half, City really upped our game, and some brilliant play from the whole team led to two goals in as many minutes, the first from Helen Brockington and the second from Evie Brockington. This put a spring in our step, but Loddon kept on attacking right to the end. Our amazing defence of Emma Guyton, Rose Byrne, Annette Peters and Jane Loughrige ensured that Loddon didn’t get too many more chances, however in the final 10 minutes they were unlucky not to score again. Everyone had a great game, and it’s always good to come out with a win! Let’s hope this is a good omen for the second half of the season.  

WOMENS 6TH XI - 08/01/2022 VS HARLESTON MAGPIES 8 (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens 6th XI 
DATE: 08/01/2022 
FIXTURE: Womens 6th XI VS 08/01/2022 
HEADLINE: A postponed game played in the pouring ran  
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 5 NORTH EAST NORTH 
VENUE: Magpies  
RESULT: 2-0 
 
REPORT: 
 
The match was played with positivity despite the dreary and wet January weather after being rescheduled previously. NCHC womens 6’s were using a new formation which seemed to have a positive affective for a 2-0 finish and with very high possession too! 
 
The match started off very confidently with some very succinct passes and dribbles from the defence all the way to the attack. Lauren O’Hanlon, making some speedy runs down the middle, Esme Abbott along the right-wing and Ellis Couzins on the left. Despite the Magpies being very fast at seeing a space and going on the counter-attack, we had a very strong defensive line including Niamh Rushton making some incredible defensive manoeuvres and clearing it away any time it got near our goal. Due to our great attackers, we scored quickly making the score 1-0. Goal scored by Ellis Couzins. 
 
The second half began just as optimistically with very calm and controlled passing and several close chances at winning a fair few short corners. Many more fast and accurate runs from all of the midfield. Magpies had a fair few chances too, but these were cut out by Alice, Millie, Nimah and Sarah. In the middle of the 2nd half, Liz Hollis scored another amazing goal making the score 2-0 Norwich City. The rest of the game played out with equal amounts of possession on both sides and no more goals scored.  
 
Player of the match went to Esme Abbott for her incredible runs into the D.  
 

WOMENS 7TH XI - 08/01/2022 VS HARLESTON MAGPIES 7 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 7th XI 
DATE: 08/01/2022 
FIXTURE: Womens 7th XI VS 08/01/2022 
HEADLINE: A Very Wet Draw for The Womens 7s  
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 5 NORTH EAST NORTH 
VENUE: Taverham Sand  
RESULT: 1-1  
 
REPORT: 
A very rainy start to the second half of the season for the womens 7s against the Magpies but city got off to a strong start. Some great passes around the pitch meant city had a few chances on goal but were struggling to convert. However the speed of the magpies meant that they were caught by several breaks. The 7s however have a strong deference and an incredible goal keeper Jess Westbury who was voted POTM meaning that magpies were unable to score within the first half.  
 
A courageous battle by Nicky Wardale against some tough defenders resulted in Sarah Bird scoring from a penalty flick, which gave new life to the team. Through hard work the magpies managed to gain the goal back within the second half resulting in a draw, however this is the first draw for the 7s this season which has left them optimistic for the upcoming games. It was an incredible team effort which was reflected in the spread of the POTM votes.