![]() WOMENS DEVELOPMENT XI - 13/01/2024 VS DEREHAM (H)
TEAM: Womens Development XI
DATE: 13/01/2024
FIXTURE: Womens Development XI VS 13/01/2024
HEADLINE: A tough day at the office!
A tough game against a strong and confident Dereham team was what awaited our Women’s Dev team today. If it hadn’t been for our Player of the Match Sophie making a lot of fantastic saves, the score could have been much higher. Despite being 3-0 down, the girls worked hard and were rewarded with a goal from Megan which she put away with power. This seemed to wake the girls up and Megan nearly scored another, but with time running out they just didn’t quite have time to take back control of the game. We were a little quiet and not quite showing the confidence we have shown in previous games, and we struggled to score or even get too many shots away for most of the game. Many great tackles made by Mils at the back stopped attack after attack. Thanks to Niamh, Martha, Megan and Anashe who all played at the back to help out as we are slightly lacking in defenders in this squad! Martha showed great flexibility today playing a mixture of defence, midfield and forward and she did fantastically well in each line! She was awarded player of the match for our team by the Dereham girls. Darcey played brilliantly again in the centre mid position, distributing the ball well and supporting attacks.
A tough game, but it’s all good experience for the players.
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 MENS MASTERS XI - 14/01/2024 VS WITHAM MO50S (H)
TEAM: Mens Masters XI
DATE: 14/01/2024
FIXTURE: Mens Masters XI VS 14/01/2024
HEADLINE: Think “Magnificent Seven” and multiply by two...
LAST 16 EH MO50s CUP
Think “Magnificent Seven” and multiply by two and that sums up the Herculean effort the assembled City silver tops delivered against Witham, the majority of whom represent Essex.
City dominated the initial skirmishes with the midfield quartet (Pallister, Braybrook, Campbell and Griffiths) delivering Oscar worthy performances in guile, decision making, positioning and true grit.
The first “Surprise Package” was City’s first short corner with two (not quite “The King and I”) castles with M Brine Esq. scoring with precision.
With Ali Cargill acting as “The Double Man” (declared at outset as a defender but demonstrating true virtuosity by playing as a forward), M Brine and Mr Bailey providing insightful forays in the final quarter of the pitch City always posed challenges to their visitors.
Whilst the first half was comfortably won by the home side City’s defence adopted “The Ten Commandments” - thou shalt not pass - to thwart Witham’s attacks.
City doubled their lead early in the second half when Mr Braybrook made full use of a free hit outside the D; he jinked one, he jinked another way before crashing the ball low and hard into the far corner. At this point the game looked over but as is so often the case between these two teams further twists were afoot.
Midway through the half Witham retrieved a harmless looking ball near the base line, a simple pull back was calmly converted to make it 2-1.
Tensions were heightened when City deflected a penalty corner into their own goal.
In a “Futureworld” Mr Pallister may score a hat trick, sadly in today’s world he was close but not close enough.
Once “The Long Duel” was over, the teams inevitably reverted to a penalty shootout. City scored 4 excellent flicks (Brine, Spencer, Braybrook and Campbell) plus one (from your scribe “The Ultimate Warrior”, Black) that was a dribbler down the middle that the keeper dived out of the way of. Witham, having fired their 4th wide graciously accepted defeat.
City look forward to the “Return of the Seven x2) in the quarter finals.
Many thanks to the filmography of Yuliy Borisivich Briner (AKA Yul Brynner) for the loose theme adopted in the report.
MOTM: Simon Black
QUARTER FINALS: 25/02
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Sophie Bendon
Nat Saunders