Results

WOMENS 1ST XI - 09/03/2019 VS COP 1 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 1st XI 
DATE: 09/03/2019 
FIXTURE: Womens 1st XI VS 09/03/2019 
HEADLINE: NCHC LADIES 1S V PETERBOROUGH 
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION 
VENUE: TRF  
RESULT: 1-1 
 
REPORT: 
 
After an amazing performance away before Christmas, city came home with a 3-2 win, so were raring to take on Peterborough on their home turf. With it looking tight at the bottom of the table City desperately needed to come away with some points.  
Both teams started strong with high presses and intensity. End to end play created chances for both teams, however neither could convert. After an intense 15 minutes Peterborough won a short corner and scored the first goal of the match with a slightly lifted shot into the far corner. Peterborough then went to a half press for the remainder of the half and City played the ball around the back until they found holes in the opposition’s tight formation. Despite the defensive tactics from Peterborough, City managed to still create promising chances, however great saves from the goalie kept the score at 0-1 until half time.  
City knew they had more to bring and were eager to start the second half stronger and with more desire and determination.  
City retained their high press throughout the match, putting extreme pressure on Peterborough’s defence. Many more chances came for City, one from a reverse pass from Harriet creating a close chance for Krystal who put it just above the cross bar. City’s high press was tiring but many interceptions were made, Olivia picked a lifted ball across the goal from Peterborough’s defence and with a great quick shot Oli slotted the ball into the corner of the goal. Score 1-1. After bad game management in recent weeks, city remained calm and worked the ball around. The opposition were back to a high press, putting lots of pressure on City’s defence as they were desperate to get a goal back. However City continued to dominate the second half, with many more chances coming. However neither team were able to score, final score 1-1. 

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WOMENS 3RD XI - 09/03/2019 VS LOWESTOFT RAILWAY 1 (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens 3rd XI 
DATE: 09/03/2019 
FIXTURE: Womens 3rd XI VS 09/03/2019 
HEADLINE: Typical British weather for a day at the seaside. 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK PREMIER DIVISION 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Lowestoft Railway 
RESULT: 2-2 draw 
 
REPORT: 
 
NCHC women’s 3s travelled to Lowestoft Railway with high hopes for another 3 points after their convincing win against Dereham the previous week. Unfortunately with many of the usual line up unavailable it had proved to be a difficult week for captain Kim to get a team together, so big thanks go to POTM Sabina Baker for making her debut appearance in the 3rd team, and to development girls Livvy and Tilly Hill for putting in sterling performances in their first match in senior women’s hockey. 
 
City struggled early on to get used to the slow pitch and Lowestoft punished them by making several interceptions in dangerous positions on the pitch. The city defence worked hard to keep Lowestoft at bay, and midfield were able to get the occasional pass up to forwards, Liv Greenway and Holly Totten who looked dangerous on the break. 
Unsurprisingly, Lowestoft were the first to find the goal, slipping the ball past keeper, Grace Thrower, who had already needed to make several saves. 
 
City kept fighting and were rewarded with a number of short corners which they had unfortunately been unable to convert. The weather was doing everything it could to spoil city’s efforts, with strong winds slowing down their attacks. With only a few seconds to go before half time, city won another short corner and the heavens opened, pelting the team with hail stones as they lined up around the D. Emily Spencer took an initial straight strike which the keeper got a foot to, but Emily found the back board with a clinical second attempt putting the two teams at one a piece going into the half time break. 
 
The sun came out for the second half and city upped their efforts, making wave after wave of attacks on the Lowestoft defence. Emma Richardson was distributing the ball well at centre half, and Jenni Stanghan tested the Lowestoft defence on a number of occasions driving the ball round the base line but unable to find a city stick in front of goal.  
 
Eventually Liv Greenway found herself in space at the top of the D and was able to make a strong hit towards the post where Ellie Hobden tucked it past the keeper and put city into the lead for the first time in the game. 
 
Lowestoft turned up the heat after this and Jenny Brine and Sabina Baker had to work tirelessly at the back to keep city on top, but in the dying moments of the game Lowestoft found themselves on the break and city were outnumbered and unable to keep the ball from sneaking in at the far post.  
 
Whilst disappointed not to come away with all 3 points, the team were pleased with their efforts away from home.  
 

WOMENS 4TH XI - 09/03/2019 VS LODDON 1 (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens 4th XI 
DATE: 09/03/2019 
FIXTURE: Womens 4th XI VS 09/03/2019 
HEADLINE: The Highlights ....... 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK PREMIER DIVISION 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE:Hobart High School, Loddon 
RESULT: 0.9 Loss 
 
REPORT: 
Even with such a high scoreline against us, City 4's can hold their heads high, and take some positives into next weeks game. Only 2.0 down at half time and a fairly even competitive game, just not able to sustain for the 70 mins, conceding 5 goals in the last 15 minutes due to drop in concentration. Credit to Loddons performance which was clinical in front of goal and a bit more savvy, which we just couldn't match.  
A very strong debut performance from young keeper Zara Hunter, who had lots to do and remained keen and confident. Very deserved Player of the Match to Bev Cushion, who was composed and showed some class on the ball. 

WOMENS 6TH XI - 09/03/2019 VS LODDON 2 (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens 6th XI 
DATE: 09/03/2019 
FIXTURE: Womens 6th XI VS 09/03/2019 
HEADLINE: City played some good hockey - but frustrating last minute equaliser for Loddon 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK LEAGUE DIVISION 2 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Loddon Hobart High School 
RESULT:1-1 
 
REPORT: A determined City upped their game this week as they met one of the teams at the top end of their league. The first half saw a well-drilled Loddon launch wave after wave of attack, including too many short corners to count. But the attacks were thankfully mopped up by the defence, helped by an impressive performance from captain Rose Byrne patrolling the centre ground and some great saves from the cool-headed young keeper Sophia Colman playing her first league match for the club. City broke frequently launching their own attacks into Loddon's D and 20 minutes into the first half, City's hard work paid off with a goal. Much-missed Josine van den Berg, now back from injury, sent a powerful ball to striker Amy Hinchcliffe who moved it on to a well-positioned Louisa Sizeland who netted the ball. City went into the break one nil up, but knowing they still had a tough battle ahead. The match changed in tone in the second half, with City more in control and the play moving up towards Loddon's defensive end. City won several short corners but unfortunately failed to finish them. Then, literally as the whistle went, Loddon's dangerous striker who had threatened throughout the match, broke through and put the ball in the net with a couple of seconds of play left. City were gutted, but still pleased with their performance and delighted to win a point.  

MENS 1ST XI - 09/03/2019 VS HARLESTON MAGPIES 1 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 1st XI 
DATE: 09/03/2019 
FIXTURE: Mens 1st XI VS 09/03/2019 
HEADLINE: Derby Game 
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION A 
VENUE: 
RESULT: 
 
REPORT: 
City travelled to Harleston Magpies, a side that have already secured promotion, in the hope of picking up some points to secure their place in Premier A next season. 
 
The game began and City were under pressure in the early stages with Harleston coming out of the blocks firing. A warning for City came when Harleston struck the post after a well worked corner routine, but thankfully for City it came to nothing. As the game went on City started to get a grip on the game, maintaining the ball well and creating chances in the Harleston D, however, they were unable to convert. Midway through the first half Harleston picked up another corner which again came to nothing. However, as City attempted to start a counter attack the ball was intercepted on the 23 by a Harleston forward and seconds later ended up in the back of the City net. 
 
1-0 Harleston. 
 
City kept their heads and continued to move the ball around nicely. It wasn't long before they equalised. A slick counter attack ended with Gabriel Marchant setting up Josh Bailey, who finished brilliantly with the ball arriving at chest height, he volleyed it over the Harleston keeper. The half continued with both teams picking up a few short corners. Harleston struck the post for a second time in the game, meanwhile at the other end Ed Sutton's drag flick whistled over the top of the Harleston goal. With a few minutes left in the half Harleston were awarded a penalty flick, which was put away, much to the disappointment of City after a good half of Hockey. 
 
HT 2-1 Harleston 
 
The second half was under way and again City were under pressure early on and, despite the relentless pressure Harleston piled on the City goal, the score remained unchanged. City had a chance to level the score as Sam Bingham somehow ended up on the penalty flick spot with the ball on the end of his stick but pushed it wide, an absolute sitter!. Halfway through the second half City went down to ten as Thomas Cooke was shown a yellow. Harleston quickly capitalised on this by extending their lead with a well finished counter attack. 3-1 Harleston. City pushed for a goal in the dying minutes to try put Harleston under pressure but were unable to do so.  
 
FT 3-1 Harleston 
 
Overall, a great effort from City as they competed with Harleston for the whole 70 minutes and were unlucky not to take any points from this fixture. Onto next week where City face Chelmsford at home and will hope to secure their spot in the division with a win. 

MENS 2ND XI - 09/03/2019 VS HARLESTON MAGPIES 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 2nd XI 
DATE: 09/03/2019 
FIXTURE: Mens 2nd XI VS 09/03/2019 
HEADLINE: City win against local rivals  
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 1 
VENUE: TRF 
RESULT: 4-1 WIN  
 
REPORT: 
City 2’s hosted local rivals (well at least as local as we have in Div 1) Harleston Magpies 2’s on a sunny yet blustery day at TRF. This was a bottom of the table clash with Magpies needing a win to keep their survival mission on track and, city already accepting their fate stranded at the bottom of the table but wanting to play with pride and determination in their final games.  
Clearly captain Hindle’s team talk had inspired the dressing room to do just that as City started the game brilliantly. In fact it wasn’t long before City took the lead. A crash pass finding young Will Kidner, in only his second game for the 2’s, who delicately deflected the pass beyond the GK. 1-0 to the home side.  
City continued to dominate and turned the screw again as they found a second goal. This time some excellent work between the front 5 was finished with a square pass across the goal and a tap in for midfield dynamo Jeremy Elliott. 2-0  
City dominated for another 5 minutes before the half time whistle blew. This may have been the best half of hockey that city had played in some time but unfortunately the game was not over. 
City knew that Magpies wouldn’t be happy with their performance and predicted that the opposition would be fired up and ready for a battle in the second half. Sure enough Magpies came out of the blocks with real purpose. They pressed high and started to cause the city defence some real issues. After holding firm for maybe 7 or 8 minutes city conceded, heads went down and this feeling was all too familiar. 2-1 
City then played some pretty frantic hockey. Passes where going astray, tackles where being missed and players where not being marked. Could this be the part where City fold and give up a lead that they’d deserved and worked so hard for?…. Not today!  
From out of know where, a gazelle like, Hindle managed to sniff out a loose first touch on the half way line. He jabbed the ball away, burst past the Magpies midfielder and headed towards the goal. Now at this point it should be said that this player has not managed to complete a run of that distance since he was probably 25 years old and 2 stone lighter! Anyway, with his head down he only had one thing in his mind (don’t mess this up), he entered the D and with one swing of his wand he smashed a reverse stick shot past the keeper at the near post. The only thing better than the goal was the celebration. Let’s just say the adrenaline got the better of him. All that being said, this was an important goal at a key time in the game and both City and Magpies knew it. 3-1  
Magpies continued to press but City finally calmed down and managed to show some of that composure they’d displayed so well in the first half. A few bad tackles saw City down to 10 at times but they still managed to maintain their dominance and with a final flurry secured a fourth and final goal. This time some great pace from City's left side ended in a well taken deflection from another 2’s youngster Ben Withers.  
The game ended 4-1 to City and it was thoroughly deserved. Whilst it’s inevitable that the 2’s won’t escape the drop, they've still shown their worth and their performance ranks highly in this seasons campaign.  
 
 

MENS 3RD XI - 09/03/2019 VS DEREHAM 2     (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 09/03/2019 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 09/03/2019 
HEADLINE: A costly period costs City the match 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 2 NORTH 
VENUE: TRF 
RESULT: 3-1 loss 
 
REPORT: 
After narrowly losing earlier in the season 5-4 to Dereham, City were looking forward to this clash with a team who recently found out they were in danger of being relegated also with changes to the league structure. City welcomed Alex Tomkinson and Liam Parker-Dennisen to the team, and also the evergreen Jason Hyatt (helping Captain Adam Sayer to bring up the average age of the team). 
City started brightly and passed the ball well, however they were coming unstuck when trying to force the ball through the middle. This allowed Dereham to attack and showcase the physical aspect of the game, which City struggled to match at times.  
City managed a break through and a short corner drag flick from maestro Rees Leonard put City in the lead. Dereham pressed hard, feeling frustrated at trailing and the City defence had to work hard, with notable performances by MOM Sam Hyatt, Cameron Husband and keeper Luke Elwes who confidently saw down a few Dereham attempts. A highlight was a great stick block by Rees Leonard who deflected a strong strike by Dereham, over the goal. Also Jason Hyatt showed his dedication to the team by taking a stick to the face and luckily the damage was only superficial (though there were whisperings in the clubhouse this was somewhat of an improvement!)  
The second half saw City struggle to get the ball flowing past the half way line and Dereham relentlessly attacked as they looked to get an equaliser. Then a spell of short corners, all within 10 minutes, saw City ship three goals and suddenly they were trailing. Good defending and work rate in the middle of the pitch helped City stop anymore going in, but the damage had been done by Dereham's more experienced players. Not even the highly civilised discourse between Jason and a Dereham forward on the merits of a 3rd XI playing a 2nd XI in Div 2N, could distract from a disappointing feeling at the end of the game, from which City knew they had lost a lead once again, (not the first time this season!) 
 
MOM: Sam Hyatt - Excellent defending and distribution 
TYFC: Jason Hyatt - Seeing green!  

MENS 4TH XI - 09/03/2019 VS NORWICH CITY 5     (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 4th XI 
DATE: 09/03/2019 
FIXTURE: Mens 4th XI VS 09/03/2019 
HEADLINE: Convincing win for 4's against 5's 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 4 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT: Won 8-0 
 
REPORT: 
I don't want to rub any salt into the already open wounds of my friends in our 5th XI, so I'll keep this short 
City's 4's had a bare 11, but still exuded a wealth of experience which proved too much for City's 5's in this inter-club league clash 
First half goals from Land, Circuit and a brace from Perry left the score 4-0 in favour of City 4's at half time. 
The second half brought much of the same with the City 5's powerless to stop the 4's. Land and Perry both completed their hat-tricks with the energetic Douglass  
The second half brought much of the same with the City's 5's powerless to stop the 4's. Land and Perry both completed their hat-tricks with the energetic Douglass also adding to their tally 
 
Final score 8-0 to City 4’s 
 

MENS 6TH XI - 09/03/2019 VS NORTH NORFOLK 2     (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 6th XI 
DATE: 09/03/2019 
FIXTURE: Mens 6th XI VS 09/03/2019 
HEADLINE: Good win 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 5 NORTH EAST 
VENUE:Taverham  
RESULT:won 4-0 
 
REPORT:This was a good all round performance resulting resulting in a 4-0 win