Results

LADIES 1ST XI - 11/02/2017 VS OLD LOUGHTONIANS (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 1st XI 
DATE: 11/02/2017 
FIXTURE: Womens 1st XI VS 11/02/2017 
HEADLINE: A tough result to accept.  
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT:1-2 L 
 
REPORT: 
Norwich City stepped onto the pitch with their usual positive attitude and was looking forward to their match against Old Loughtonians.  
 
Norwich conceded a goal fairly early on despite some tough defending. With this in mind City were quick to build up momentum and a well worked ball around the goal keeper by player of the match Debbie Painter gave Norwich the equalizer.  
 
Old Loughtonians put a lot of pressure on Norwich throughout the second half with all players defending well to keep the ball out of the back of the net. Both teams were fighting for the next goal and several green cards were shown to both teams as the match started to heat up.  
 
Unfortunately, in the last 5 minutes of the game Old Loughtonians struck the ball and it hit City’s back board. Despite appealing due to the player and ball being outside of the shooting D, the goal was awarded and Norwich had to deal with yet another loss. 
 
A week’s break will help re group our focus towards an away match at Wapping in a few weeks.  
 
 

LADIES 2ND XI - 11/02/2017 VS NORWICH DRAGONS 3 (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens 2nd XI 
DATE: 11/02/2017 
FIXTURE: Womens 2nd XI VS 11/02/2017 
HEADLINE: Lucky Escape 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK PREMIER DIVISION 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: The Den 
RESULT: 0-0 
 
REPORT: 
The Womens 2s started this week’s match top of the Norfolk Premier League, just pipping Broadland on goal difference. City went into the game looking to continue their winning streak as they took on Dragons 3s away at the Den. We knew this was not going to be an easy match with Dragons themselves sitting 3rd in the league and eager to close the gap.  
 
This week saw Rachel Cave make her début at inside forward and Captain Rosie Humphrey playing out of position at right half.  
 
City started strongly, pressed the Dragons team and quickly played out a number of attacks and short corners. Karren Dagless and Leigh-Ann Worrall started a number of attacking moves from the centre of defence, breaking through the midfield. Attacks were lead down the right after Becky Gaffney made multiple tackles and released the ball to Milly Brown, who slipped passed defenders and drove to the baseline.  
 
At times passing was quick, slick and looked impressive however as the half went on and no goals came our passes grew a little too ambitious.  
 
Following a string of City attacks and a solid defensive display City felt on top but went in to half time at 0-0. 
The start of the second half saw Emily Francis and Ellie Brine making attacks down the left. The right side of the pitch was also busy with overlapping play from Rosie Humphrey and Hannah Jarvis. Dragons won a couple of short corners which City dealt with comfortably. 
 
City themselves were awarded further short corners however found their number 1 shooter Leigh-Ann Worrall, who had converted twice last week, on the bench. Alternative routines were played through without success.  
 
City showed great determination and team work all over the field to win the ball back and demonstrated an excellent display of working in pairs to make a tackle. Matilda Warde-Aldam was particularly disruptive to the Dragon’s players’ frustration.  
 
The City defence sprang into action as Dragons started their final attack. City blocked the initial attempts at a shot however goalie Serena Scott, who had not seen much of the ball during the game, was called on to make the final blockade. Smothering the ball and taking the Dragons forward for a bit of a tumble.  
 
At the closing of the game City were awarded a long corner, taken by Angela Hindle, following a self-pass the ball was passed to the back post but failed to find a City forward. City continued to push and were awarded a short corner with a few minutes remaining. Despite a slightly wonky pull out, City readjusted and stick stopper Angela Hindle got a shot away to the far post and injector Rosie Humphrey narrowly missed out on a last minute deflection.  
 
Whilst City clearly won on stats with the majority of possession, awarded short corners, shots and balls turned over, a goal continued to elude them and the game finished 0-0.  
 
Fortunately the Womens 2s maintain their league standing as Evergreens drew with Broadland 2-2.  
 
POM – Angela Hindle  
 
 

LADIES 5TH XI - 11/02/2017 VS NORWICH DRAGONS 6 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 5th XI 
DATE: 11/02/2017 
FIXTURE: Womens 5th XI VS 11/02/2017 
HEADLINE: Still top but not our best day for finishing! 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK LEAGUE DIVISION 2 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: 
RESULT: 1-2 
 
REPORT: 
 
City were keen to put in another good performance today and started strongly, winning several short corners. Dragons, however were very strong, their goalie deserves particular mention saving shot after shot. Their defense too was really good and we found it hard to get through at times. Against the run of play Dragons went ahead - a warning to CIty that they were dangerous on the break. City retained their composure and equalized with a great goal from Amelia Barclay, a great finish at an acute angle - a culmination to a team move which started at the back with a great ball through form Charlotte Baxter. 
 
Dragons scored a second goal, and city this time were unable to equalize, despite having much of the play. 
 
A hard fought match, but it just wasn't to be for us today. Well done though girls, all good experience. 
 
The good news is that we remain top of the league. 
 
MOM: Bev Cushion 
 

LADIES 6TH XI - 11/02/2017 VS LOWESTOFT RAILWAY 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 6th XI 
DATE: 11/02/2017 
FIXTURE: Womens 6th XI VS 11/02/2017 
HEADLINE: Confident Railway opposition now on track for promotion 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK LEAGUE DIVISION 2 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT: 3-5 
 
Norwich 6s top-table hopes were derailed this week when they faced a youthful, well-drilled and impressive Lowestoft Railway 2s.  
City needed to win this game with a sizeable goal difference to regain their top-two position and stand a chance of moving up a league. But it was clear from the off that this was going to be a challenge against such resolute opposition.  
Railway came out strong, taking a usually-dominant City 6s by surprise and forcing them back deep into their defensive 25.  
Within 10 minutes City were three goals to nil down and fighting to rediscover their usual impressive rhythm. Under the onslaught, City temporarily lost their customary shape and passing triangles. Despite a few breaks and good attempts on goal, however, City couldn’t find the net.  
A half-time rethink saw City decide their game tactics were a little off-track (ahem) and they were allowing Lowestoft to railroad them into responding to play and group around the attacking ball rather than control play themselves.  
In the second half City held their shape far better and it paid off. They increased their width and depth and took more care to outlet the ball and avoid the eager awaiting sticks of the youthful high press that had been picking them off in the first half. 
Suddenly, it started to look a whole lot better, with City having more of the play in their attacking quarter and several near-miss attempts on goal. Finally player of the match Lucy McNarry found the net with a skilful slip into the right corner of the net, following a great pass from Josine Van Den Berg.  
Unfortunately, Railway scored again but this was followed almost immediately after by a lovely goal from Sharon Phillips, again after a crucial pass from play-making Josine. 
Josine was on fire again, when she scored an impressive goal for City, giving the home team a respectable three. Staying composed, she looked at target and powered the ball in with a power-laden push shot from the top of the D.  
Railway were finally on the run by the closing stages of the game, yet still managed to score again. They were dangerous, skilful opposition and although City fought back and found their form again in the second half, it was unfortunately too late to pull the game back.  
However, City can console themselves with the fact that they kept fighting, stayed positive and were beginning to turn the game in their favour.  
Led by county coach Jason Harness, this Railway team seem to improve with each week and game that passes so if you are a betting man/woman I would put your money on Railway for promotion this season.  
Player of the match: Lucy McNarry 
 
 
 
 

LADIES 7TH XI - 11/02/2017 VS HARLESTON MAGPIES 7 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 7th XI 
DATE: 11/02/2017 
FIXTURE: Womens 7th XI VS 11/02/2017 
HEADLINE: A second win and a first clean sheet for Womens 7s 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK LEAGUE DIVISION 3 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: TRF 
RESULT: 1-0 
 
REPORT: The Womens 7s continued their improvement with a 1-0 against Harleston Magpies, secured their first clean sheet of the season and lifted themselves from the bottom of the league table. City dominated possession throughout with some excellent spells of passing and some strong running. Harleston were pinned back and resorted to clearing hopeful balls upfield and were limited to only a couple of strikes on goal. City finally got the reward for their efforts in the second half when Louisa Sizeland found the net with her first goal of the season and earning herself Player of the Match in the process. As in the previous weeks a number of other players also secured votes demonstrating the quality of the performance throughout the team.  
 

LADIES DEVELOPMENT XI - 11/02/2017 VS NORWICH DRAGONS DEVS (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens Development XI 
DATE: 11/02/2017 
FIXTURE: Womens Development XI VS 11/02/2017 
HEADLINE: Hard Fought Victory 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Dragons Den 
RESULT: 3:2 
 
REPORT: 
 
“Nourish your hopes, but do not overlook realities.” 
Winston Churchill 
 
One minute to go. The ball breaks to a Dragons forward at the top of the D. All alone, its one on one. A mass of orange OBO foam remains Norwich’s only hope. There is a collective intake of breath from the sidelines and, as if in slow motion, Daisy advances to form an effective barrier for the final time thereby securing Norwich’s 3-2 victory. What a team effort! A story of four quarters; incredible commitment all round; and a stunning, hard fought, but ultimately, well deserved victory. 
 
What seemed like hours earlier, the team had collected in the inhospitable Dragon’s car park, the wind chill bringing the temperature to below freezing. Ahead, no easy task. This was now a three-horse race for the title and Dragons, until today, were coming up fast on the outside rail. Norwich nourish the hope of the title but a large, imposing Dragons team, clearly motivated for victory, remained today’s reality. 
 
The first quarter saw little space for either party to expose. Norwich had packed its midfield with creative quality, Kate Houldey; Abi Hill; Matilda Butterworth and debutant Effie Bowley. However, Dragons had clearly adopted the same approach, their own midfield creating multiple chances that were ultimately neutralized by the imperious Sabina Baker, ably assisted by the tenacious Lucy Jenkinson who had a super game. With Loulou being sidelined due to a crack on the thumb (thank you to Mrs Hill for the heads up), Frances Underhill was pressganged into resuming a defensive role in which she excelled. End of the first quarter, a fair draw. 
 
The second quarter started with much better shape from Norwich. Passes began to connect and the flanks began to create more opportunities for the front line, Niamh Campbell and Fraya MyHill creating some super opportunities that culminated in Abi Flatt striking solidly from the top of the D to open the scoring. Unfortunately, initial jubilance was gradually eroded as Dragons increased their pressure. Three successive penalty corners resulted. The first two were successfully repelled with good saves from Daisy and the assistance of Maggie Mayo, but eventually penalty corner fatigue saw the ball unconvincingly edged over the line. Score 1:1. 
 
The second-half necessitated a new approach. Kate was tasked with marking the Dragon’s creative player out of the game. Despite this being at the cost of her own expansive play, it opened up the park for Matilda and Niamh, brilliantly supported by Lucy Wimhurst and then Grace Adams. As a result, the third quarter belonged to Norwich. Attack after attack resulted in Niamh scoring with a superb reverse stick strike from distance and Abi Flatt scored a third soon thereafter, squeezing it between a defender’s legs and over the line. Throughout, Abi Hill proved to be an excellent conduit between defence and attack and Matilda appeared omnipotent in midfield. Not a single shot on Norwich’s goal in this quarter and 3:1 up with 15 minutes to go. 
 
However, it was not going to be that easy. Dragons were quickly out of the blocks in the final quarter. Recognising the tactical change and the need to spread the ball more, the pressure mounted on Norwich. After five minutes a strong reverse stick strike from long distance went narrowly wide but Norwich failed to heed the warning. It was quickly followed by a close-range opportunity which, despite an initial save, was pushed into the side wall of the goal. Queue five minutes of heart stopping action. Norwich successfully relieved most of the remaining pressure, keeping the score at 3:2, until the final minute… 
 
An enthralling game dominated by grit and determination from both sides. Apologies for those who spent too long warming the bench on a very cold day, I will redress the balance in future but rest assured this was a true team victory. Thank you to everyone in the team for your commitment and growing team spirit and camaraderie. Additional thanks to Anthony Butterworth for his help on the touchline and the ever-present, increasingly vocal, parent crew! 
 
There is still a hope to nourish. 
 

MENS 1ST XI - 11/02/2017 VS IES (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 1st XI 
DATE: 11/02/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 1st XI VS 11/02/2017 
HEADLINE: Norwich City make numbers count 
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION B 
VENUE: TRF 
RESULT: 6-1 
 
REPORT: 
 
Norwich City had a full squad of 16 players for the match versus Old Southendian. After a tight start Harry Gill deflected a ball home from Tom Cooke at a short corner. That’s how it stayed until the break with Norwich having the better of the play with other chances falling to Dan Cheesman when Harry Gill put him through one on one with the keeper, and Jeremy Elliott when Dave Skinner did the same. 
 
Norwich knew that if they stayed patient more goals would come as their possession and superior numbers would pay off. Norwich doubled their lead after great work from Rich Green as he beat two or three men with some great 3D skills on the left before threading a lifted through ball to Jeremy Elliott, who showed great composure to simply lift the ball over the onrushing keeper with his reverse stick. Southend then got one back with a well worked short corner move back to the injector. However, this encouraged City to kick it up another gear and the response was swift when Harry Gill slotted in at the back post after a well worked move. As the second half continued to progress the extra numbers began to tell as Norwich began to find more and more holes in the Southend defence, scoring three more times in the final 10 minutes. These goals came from: Chris Wardale who finished a rebounded shot of Dave Skinner who picked up a beautiful lay-off from Ali Husband, and two from Dave Skinner. The first was the highlight of the game – Jeremy Elliott played an aerial over the last man and Dave Skinner, with his first touch, knocked the ball over the keepers head as took the ball on the full then volleyed home into an empty net. The second was a beautiful team move that culminated in a lovely lay-off from Chris Wardale for Dave Skinner to slide in and lift a reverse sweep over the sprawling keeper. 
 
The final score finished 6-1 to keep Norwich City right in the hunt from promotion. 
 

MENS 2ND XI - 11/02/2017 VS UPMINSTER (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 2nd XI 
DATE: 11/02/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 2nd XI VS 11/02/2017 
HEADLINE: City louse out in must win encounter 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 1 
VENUE: Taverham High School 
RESULT: 3-2 LOSS 
 
REPORT: 
City 2s were left rueing there second half display as they lost a key game in the battle for survival in Division 1. Upminster started the game really well and opened the scoring with about a minute gone. City fought back however and equalised from Pete Morgan before Tom Hindle reverse stick short following a short corner gave the 2s a deserved lead into the break.  
 
City however never got going in the 2nd half and really struggled to keep hold of the ball for long periods of the game, but once again they were done by set pieces as Upminster scored from both a PC and PF to take the lead 3-2, City created a couple half chances but missed out on what was some valuable points on offer.  
 

MENS 3RD XI - 11/02/2017 VS UEA (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 11/02/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 11/02/2017 
HEADLINE: Norwich Unable to Capitalise After Great First Half Performace 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 2 NORTH 
VENUE: UEA 
RESULT: Norwich 0 : 3 UEA 
 
REPORT: 
Norwich started the game strongly taking on board how UEA played in the previous meeting so changing the formation to stand the young Uni team up. This strategy worked and the Uni team found it very difficult to break down Norwich’ defence and get any meaningful chances. Norwich on the other hand started very positively and created some good chances but were unable to convert, Matt Brine nearly was able to round the keeper but had his shot stopped, Josh Bailey with time to strike from the top of the circle but was unable to find the net and Dan Phillips was close to a 1 on 1 with the Uni keeper but the ball ran away from him. Norwich had a string of short corners but was unable to convert. The Uni team started to assert themselves on to the game as the half went on with their closet chance coming from a short corner, the ball fired at the left post and striking Chris Perry on the toe however the umpire saw something different and gave a 16 yard hit instead of a penalty flick, Norwich let off the hook. 
The entire team were working very hard on the defensive strategy even with the forward line pitching in on the defensive duties and tracking all the way back. This hard work paid off enabling the team to hold the Uni team to 0:0 half time score, this could be suggested that it flattered the Uni team as Norwich looked the stronger side but their play in the final 3rd often let Norwich down and were unable to capitalise on what could have been good chances. The game was still wide open.... 
The 2nd half continues as the first finished but gradually became more and more stretched playing more in to the young and fitter Uni teams hands. It was the Uni team that broke the dead lock when a break away attack left Perry and Colman with 2 on 2 situation and when a cross was put in both defenders could not get to the ball and the attacker managed to just get the right side of keeper Jewers to get the slightest of touches to put it in to the goal. Norwich still however held their heads high knowing this was such an even game this could easily be turned around. Norwich came close with several short corners the closest was a drag flick picked off the line by the post man, Adi Land also came very close with a well worked piece of play landed him the ball towards the top of the circle but the shot on the bouncing ball was put slightly to high and cleared the cross bar. Despite a lot of possession it was UEA who again added to the score board, what appeared to be their secret weapon a new addition to the Uni he showed a lot of skill and managed to dribble the ball half the length of the pitch and into the circle and despite what some would call an obvious foot that was not blown for his subsequent shot found the bottom corner. Norwich now had a mountain to climb. Norwich continued to push for a goal but growing frustrations started to show and this lead to some poor play and basic mistakes and started to give the ball away to easily. The game was killed off by the Uni team with another goal from a short corner, a well placed drag flick finding the side netting of the top left corner leaving the defence little chance.  
The game ended 3:0 in favour of the Uni team, a flattering score line given the evenness of the game overall. 
Norwich next face Cambridge City 4s in a must win game. 
 
 

MENS 4TH XI - 11/02/2017 VS IES 3 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 4th XI 
DATE: 11/02/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 4th XI VS 11/02/2017 
HEADLINE: Put It All On Black Frosty 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: IES 
RESULT:0-7 
 
REPORT: 
City set off down the A140 thinking they had an early start, only to find the 1st team ready to start their match as we arrived in Ipswich. To be honest the 4’s then spent the remainder of their time in Suffolk playing catch up. A reasonable first half, blighted by an injury to Chris Baker, saw a 2-0 score line to the hosts at half time. Stand in captain Dale was encouraged though, we had had plenty of possession all was not lost. Two deflected goals conceded, we could overcome. 
 
The second half started with just ten City players due to another injury, and with Chris gamely limping on, the team were mightily relieved to see JK arrive. Even with his talismanic presence, City were unable to prevent wave after wave of IES attacks from putting the result beyond their reach. So a day to forget and the search for vital points continues. 
The teams’ best wishes go to the departing Baker who surely can fit in one last game next week, Chris you don’t want to finish with a loss now do you? 
 
To our holidaying skipper, we trust you are having more luck in the casinos of Vegas then we did on the pitch. With so many red shirts descending on the city goal today, perhaps you should put it all on black. 
 

MENS 5TH XI - 11/02/2017 VS BURY ST EDMUNDS 3 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 5th XI 
DATE: 11/02/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 5th XI VS 11/02/2017 
HEADLINE: Tough game 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 4 NORTH EAST 
VENUE:home 
RESULT:1-1 
 
REPORT: 
Tough game for the 5s who spent much of the time chasing the ball. Possession was given up too often by all which made the game much harder than it needed to be. After conceding early on, fox-in-the-box, Ash Bird tapped in the equaliser. 

MENS 6TH XI - 11/02/2017 VS NORTH NORFOLK 3 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 6th XI 
DATE: 11/02/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 6th XI VS 11/02/2017 
HEADLINE: Bad day at the seaside for the 6s 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 6 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Cromer High School 
RESULT: 3-1 Loss 
 
REPORT: 
It was a bad day for the 6s as they lost away to a strong North Norfolk side, a goal and player of the match performance from Ian Andrews was a small positive in a pretty bleak day for City! 
 
 
 

MENS 7TH XI - 11/02/2017 VS NORWICH DRAGONS 5 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 7th XI 
DATE: 11/02/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 7th XI VS 11/02/2017 
HEADLINE: Beaten by Experience 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 6 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: TAVERHAM RECREATION FACILITY 
RESULT: NORWICH CITY 7 0 NORWICH DRAGONS 5 2  
 
REPORT: 
Both teams fielded a bare eleven though City were hampered by skipper Ali Wardales hamstring injury. City also gave a debut to Development player Monty Platt. It was the two experienced players that made the difference for Dragons in the form of recent first team player Rob Wagstaff and Paul Kassulke. With Kassulke pulling the strings early on Dragons raced into a two goal lead and it looked as if it may be a long afternoon for City. However, the defence tightened up with keeper Paul Hewett making some fine stops well supported by Man of the match Charles Anderson, Julian Blake, Edward Wood and Dan Jeffers who turned in his best performance for City. City started to mount a few attacks and there was no further score before the break. 
After the break City started to play some great team hockey and gained the upper hand with Dragons relying on the break where they always looked dangerous. It then became an end to end contest, but neither side were able to capitalise on their chances and it Was Dragons that earned the points.