Results

WOMENS 1ST XI - 08/02/2020 VS CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY 1 (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens 1st XI 
DATE: 08/02/2020 
FIXTURE: Womens 1st XI VS 08/02/2020 
HEADLINE: 70 Minutes of hard work 
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION 
VENUE: Wilberforce Road, Cambridge 
RESULT: 3-1 
 
REPORT: 
Norwich City W1s travelled to their second away match in a row, finding themselves once again at Wilberforce road. With a good warm up, City coach Matthew Brine waking the team up with some pre match sprints, the womens were ready to work for 3 points. Cambridge University were disciplined and drilled, and City took a few minutes to settle in to the game. With Cambridge University firing balls into the D, playing very high forwards they had a few narrow misses but the City defence stuck tight. Cambridge University won a short corner in the first 10 minutes and secured their first goal and shortly won a few more following their good distribution and movement throughout the pitch. Norwich City remained calm, restructured their formation and found themselves in Cambridge University's D following some excellent determination and skill in particular by Stacey Lee, Ellie Brine and Harriet Johnson. Krystal Bishop and Sophie Mullan both growing frustrated following their narrow misses - but they reset and did not loose hope! Cambridge University scored their second goal at another short corner but credit must go to Norwich City defence for their continued work rate and great defending against a slick Cambridge side. Half time came, both sides deserving a break after a great 35 minutes of hockey on a beautiful day. Following half time, City new what they had to do, now understanding more about Cambridge University's approach. Kate Houldrey working hard at right back sending some well executed balls up the right; Susie Edwards doing some excellent sweeping and credit to the whole team for their work rate. Cambridge University, although receiving a card and being a player down, with their calm and slick movement managed to slip another goal in bringing it to 3-0 and reverted to a half court formation but this did not deter City who remained focus on their goal. With not long remaining City won a short corner and Susie Edwards found the back of the net! 3-1 to Cambridge University and Norwich City showing their fitness and motivation to get some points. A huge credit to both teams on a great game of hockey but it wasn't the day for Norwich City W1s, ending on 3-1. POTM: Sophie Mullan 

WOMENS 2ND XI - 08/02/2020 VS HARLESTON MAGPIES 3 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 2nd XI 
DATE: 08/02/2020 
FIXTURE: Womens 2nd XI VS 08/02/2020 
HEADLINE: Not Quite Enough 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 2 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: TRF 
RESULT: 2-4 Loss 
 
REPORT: 
The day before storm Ciara arrived *don't panic* City welcomed a strong Magpies team and despite a last minute sick note from Ellyn Roberts, we had an energetic warm up led by Lizzie Cheesman.  
 
Magpies knew this was a must win match and started off well. They packed out the middle of the pitch and attacked using the full width, leading to an early first goal. Their second goal came from a short corner that slipped past the right post. They continued to dominate possession throughout the first half.  
 
After a positive and constructive half time talk by coach Chris Wardale, City came back with belief and aggression. Niamh Campbell took a shot on goal which hit a Magpies player on the line, giving us a penalty flick.  
 
Rosie Humphrey stepped up and found the back of the net, making it 2-1. 
 
Magpies third goal came from a reverse shot that was heading for the top corner, we thought we’d let them have that one.  
 
The visitors pressed high, making it difficult for our defensive line to distribute the ball up the pitch. Midfield worked hard to keep possession and find the forwards making leading runs. Georgia Cleveland slapped the ball into the D to be deflected by Emma Hewitt, making it 3-2. 
 
Magpies continued to put the pressure on and made a counter attack. Despite strong saves from our keeper Sophie Turner and defending from centre backs, Leigh-Ann Worrall and Hannah Nunn, Magpies were looking for a final goal. Ellie Hobden tracked back in an attempt to save the ball on the line, but unfortunately it just crossed the line. Final score 4-2 unless you were Lizzie Cheesman who somehow thought it was a draw...  
 
POTM Helen Busfield  
 

WOMENS 3RD XI - 08/02/2020 VS DISS 1 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 3rd XI 
DATE: 08/02/2020 
FIXTURE: Womens 3rd XI VS 08/02/2020 
HEADLINE: Home win  
LEAGUE: NORFOLK PREMIER DIVISION 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Taverham (home) 
RESULT: 3-0 (win) 
 
REPORT: 
Well done to the NCHC 3s for a positive result against Diss 1s. City dominated from the start, switching the ball well and creating many chances, however that vital first goal eluded them. Youthful legs up front helped City’s forwards drive the ball with purpose, and their defence stood firm whenever the opposition broke. Eventually the deadlock was broken when a good drive down the left from Gemma Sargent was finished by Liv Greenway at the right post. 
 
The second half saw more opportunities coming in thick and fast in City’s attacking D. Liv calmly slotted home her second of the day after a great first touch from an excellent ball from Emma Richardson. The victory was sealed when City finally scored a short corner, struck by player of the match Marie Hood and deflected home. A well earned win in the end.  

WOMENS 4TH XI - 08/02/2020 VS PELICANS 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 4th XI 
DATE: 08/02/2020 
FIXTURE: Womens 4th XI VS 08/02/2020 
HEADLINE: A well deserved win for City!  
LEAGUE: NORFOLK PREMIER DIVISION 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: home  
RESULT: 3-1 to city 4s 
 
REPORT: 
City 4s were hungry for a win today when playing bottom of the league Pelicans. After a warm up in the sunshine city had first pushback and shortly after scored their first goal from birthday girl Caroline on the post! Pelicans were determined to get a goal back but city scored another great goal from Carolyn, to bring the score to 2-0 before half time. 
 
After half time, pelicans were quick to resume play and a straight strike was scored at the top of the D. City made every effort to close down players and continue with their tight marking to prevent any further goals being scored. A further goal was scored by Caroline on the post. 
 
Hopefully another win for City 4s should bring them out of the danger zone. Here’s to more points!  
 
POTM to Emily Williams  
 

WOMENS 6TH XI - 08/02/2020 VS NORWICH DRAGONS 7 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 6th XI 
DATE: 08/02/2020 
FIXTURE: Womens 6th XI VS 08/02/2020 
HEADLINE: A vital win in 6s fight to avoid relegation 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK LEAGUE DIVISION 2 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: TRF 
RESULT: 3-2 
 
REPORT:This was a crucial match for City 6s who are battling to avoid relegation and they were feeling the pressure. With the opposition, Dragon’s 7s, sitting one place above in the league tables, City knew it was a battle they had to win. Almost all previous matches have seen City 6s draw with this team, but today a draw wasn’t an option. Dragons were strong from pushback, with a nervous City struggling to find their rhythm and losing possession of the ball more often than they should. Any carelessly placed or slow-paced passes were ruthlessly picked off by Dragons who were fast and well-drilled on the counter-attack putting City defence under pressure. City’s nerves steadied and they won a short-corner which was impressively converted with a strike by midfielder and player-of-the-match Susan Matthews. Unfortunately, Dragons increased the pressure and pulled two goals back in the last few minutes before half time. During the break Ali Wardale arrived, clipboard in hand, to coach City which helped steady team nerves and provide some welcome guidance from the sidelines. City and upped their game and began to have most of the possession. An equaliser soon came when Susan Matthews passed to central midfielder Caitlin Nicholson who made a strike which was deflected in near the post by Sarah Barron. The City midfielders picked up many Dragons clearance balls, keeping the play high in Dragon’s defensive area. With plenty of subs to keep energy high, City began to control the play as Dragons tired. Finally, City won a short corner which was again neatly converted with a strike by Susan Matthews. The whistle could hardly come soon enough. Three points in the bag will help as they go up a place in the league, but City are still far from safe from relegation.  

WOMENS 7TH XI - 08/02/2020 VS NORWICH DRAGONS 8 (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens 7th XI 
DATE: 08/02/2020 
FIXTURE: Womens 7th XI VS 08/02/2020 
HEADLINE: Goals Galore for City 7s 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK LEAGUE DIVISION 3 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Dragons 
RESULT: Won 9-0 
 
REPORT: City were fired up for an early start at Dragons and feeling positive for a win. The 7s had a strong start and Sarah Bird was able to put City 1-0 up in the first few minutes. Despite an organised and experienced Dragons defence, City kept the pressure on and some lovely play down the left of the pitch by Clare Clarke and Nicky Wardale led to Sarah B receiving the ball in the D and managing a reverse stick pass to a brilliantly positioned Helen Lewis who netted the second goal. Lauren O'Hanlon was superb in midfield and worked the ball fantastically up the pitch. After beating numerous Dragons players, Lauren had a great shot on goal that was just going wide before Sarah B was able to deflect it past the keeper. City were unable to convert a few short corners but showed definite improvement and know that this is an area of our game that we can continue to work on. The City midfield and defence were calm and composed on the ball and fended off any attacks from Dragons forwards. Sam, Rosie and Mirha were solid in midfield and fought hard constantly to be first to the ball and win back possession for City. Jan, Cat and Danielle worked brilliantly to defend well against a fast Dragons attack and distributed the ball back up the pitch fantastically. It was lovely to see the work that we have put in during training coming together on the pitch as City used the space and switched the ball around the pitch to push back up to attack the Dragons goal once again. Clare Clark had a brilliant game and was rewarded with a great goal from a fantastic strike at the top of the D that sailed past the Dragons keeper. City went into half time 4-0 up but under no illusions that they would need to work hard in the second half to maintain this. Dragons upped the intensity and put more pressure on City in the second half, but the defence worked well to deal with the Dragons forwards. A lovely second goal from Helen Lewis settled City and we were soon back on top of the game. Scarlett Rhoades made some fantastic runs down the wing and was very strong on the ball, beating the Dragons defence time after time. Three excellent goals in quick succession resulted in a much-deserved hat trick and Player of the Match for Scarlett. Well done!! City kept the pressure on and all credit to Dragons as they didn't give up and kept fighting hard. Another penetration into the D resulted in super calm and composed Nicky Wardale slotting the ball past the keeper from a great position on the post. Emily Robertshaw was unlucky not to score after some good positioning in the D. Our super GK Jo kept the team organised by shouting at us from the back and thankfully didn't have much too much to deal with in the game. A great game with a fantastic atmosphere and Dragons deserve a mention for their team spirit and for fighting for that game right until the final whistle. 

MENS 2ND XI - 08/02/2020 VS ST IVES 1 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 2nd XI 
DATE: 08/02/2020 
FIXTURE: Mens 2nd XI VS 08/02/2020 
HEADLINE: Tought battle on the road sees City pick up valuable three points! 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 2 NORTH 
VENUE: St Ives Slow Pitch 
RESULT: 2-1 Win 
 
REPORT: 
City travelled to St Ives with another mixed team but this week having at least 1 sub! Bowman returned from injury meanwhile their were call ups for keeper Elwes, T Pallistar and S Hyatt.  
 
City started on the front foot moving the ball around well and created an early chance through Toby Pallistar who's reverse stick effort was well saved by the keeper. The game became very even with both teams slopping in possession going into the final third with both deference's on top. It was City however who again had the better chances with Tom Hindle seeing his effort cleared off the line. HALF TIME 0-0 
 
Into the second half and the game remained the same with both teams sloppy going forward but it was again City who carved out the better chances with City having yet another shot cleared of the line, this time Bowman shooting. It was St Ives however who took the lead through a short corner with a neat deflection however this seemed to kick City into life who then scored through an excellent Tom Hindle finish before Hindle turned provider to Bowman who tapped in at the far post. 
 
City held on a late surge from the home side to claim three valuable points, which with a win the next weekend should seem the safe in Division 2N.  
POTM: Alex Scott 

MENS 3RD XI - 08/02/2020 VS NEWMARKET 1 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 08/02/2020 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 08/02/2020 
HEADLINE: Great victory for youth and experience 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT: Norwich City 3s 3 - 2 Newmarket 1s 
 
REPORT:  
A bright, sunny afternoon at Taverham saw the M3’s take to the field against Newmarket 1’s who were sporting their change kit, some still adorned with the supermarket 3 for 2 stickers and loaned City red socks. 
 
With Captain Simon Black’s words of wisdom still ringing in their ears, the 3’s executed his game plan to perfection for at least ten minutes, with the visitors barely getting a stick on the ball.  
 
Shocked by their ability, City then subconsciously took their foot off the gas and allowed Newmarket back into the game. Despite this a 2-0 lead was taken with goals from James Middleton and Adie Land. 
 
Newmarket forced plenty of defensive nervousness for City and were able to pull level from two well executed short corners. 
 
The City winner, scored by the evergreen Adie Land, was a joy to watch and showcased what excellent hockey the team are capable of. Half a dozen or so crisp passes took the ball from defence to the opposing D and finally into the net. A glorious winner on a glorious afternoon.”