Results

WOMENS 1ST XI - 14/04/2018 VS COLCHESTER (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 1st XI 
DATE: 14/04/2018 
FIXTURE: Womens 1st XI VS 14/04/2018 
HEADLINE: Norwich City 1s promoted back to East Prem with last game of the season 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 1 NORTH 
VENUE: TRF 
RESULT: 1-0 
 
REPORT: 
The conclusion of the Division 1 North 2017/2018 season finally came after several weeks of postponements due to bad weather. It was all to play for for Norwich City as a win against Colchester would ensure they gained promotion back into the East Prem league. 
With a rousing team talk and several pre match what’s app messages from Coach Pies Norwich were chomping at the bit to get the only result they wanted, a win, 3 points and the promotion. Could the girls put this long season to bed and prove that they could play some great hockey as they so often had throughout the season? 
From the whistle City put pressure on Colchester with some great runs from Captain Jo Staines and Alice Gill working tirelessly in midfield. They were rewarded after 10 minutes when Jo made a strong pass across the D to a waiting Abbie Ingham who slotted the ball away calmly to make it 1-0 to City.  
Colchester put up a good fight and were not going to make it easy for Norwich. They came back strong with the some good work through the centre of the pitch causing trouble for Norwich’s defence. Colchester were gifted with some short corners but could not capitalize with City’s keeper Rosie Valentine keeping things under control.  
As the first half came to an end City began to panic making some unnecessary mistakes. They had more attacking chances with great work between the midfield and forward lines resulting in a slick reverse stick sweep by Rachel Mayne in front of goal that just passed the post. 
 
City started the second half strongly having the majority of possession however it was to be a nervous 35 minutes as each side battled on trying to get a result. There were some great linking plays and skill shown by the whole City side. Working together from the defensive unit of Harriet Johnson, Ellie Pitcher, Sally Rose, Foungy Chung and Suzy Mitchell to the hard working midfielders, Alice Gill, Rachel Mayne, Ange Hindle and Jo Staines connecting well with the fast moving forward line of Ellie Brine, Emily Francis, Abbie Ingham and Micayla Toothill. City spent most of the second half camped in Colchester’s half of the pitch. They worked tirelessly but could not add anything more to the score sheet despite a handful of short corners and play around the D. 
As the time ticked away City kept their composure and maintained possession, there were some well timed tackles and interceptions from player of the match Suzy Mitchell but overall it was a solid team performance. End result 1-0 win and a well deserved 2nd place finish in the league (City only losing 2 games all season) as well as the cherry on the top, promotion. Well done to the entire squad and many thanks to our coaching team. Onwards and upwards we go!  
 
POM - Suzy Mitchell  

WOMENS 6TH XI - 14/04/2018 VS BRECKLAND 1 (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens 6th XI 
DATE: 14/04/2018 
FIXTURE: Womens 6th XI VS 14/04/2018 
HEADLINE: City improve in second half but too late to find a win 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK LEAGUE DIVISION 2 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Thetford 
RESULT: Breckland 2 - City 1 
 
REPORT:A sudden venue change at 8am on the morning of the match, saw the 6s relocating last minute from Watton to Thetford for an 11.30am pushback. Add to this two cars with punctures and seven of the team delayed arriving as a result, and the team struggled to stay composed for the start of this penultimate match of the season. 
Breckland played a long ball, powerful hitting-style game and Norwich had their work cut out to maintain a press and keep Breckland out of the defensive D.  
Despite the pressure, Norwich managed to make several attacks but found it hard to break through and find the net. The going was tough and despite their determination and work rate City’s defensive unit also found the onslaught too much and two goals went in during the first half.  
Half-time score 2-0 to Breckland. 
City played better hockey in the second half, determined to opt for a short-passing game with frequent switches rather than to try and attempt to match Breckland at their hard-hit-style game.  
This half saw more short corners and attacking play from Norwich, with an excellent drag flick penalty corner shot from Josine van den Berg unfortunately saved by Breckland’s keeper.  
As the clock ticked, City began to learn to play better on the slower sand pitch and begin to pass the ball better. No further goals went as City upped their game by the minute, but they couldn’t quite convert and find their way back into the game. Meanwhile, Breckland stayed strong on the ball intercepting even the slightest misplaced ball by City.  
In the last few seconds of the game City won a penalty corner. Too late to win the match, City were still determined to get on the score sheet. A lovely pass from Josine van den Berg was positioned just right for Liz Hollis to slip past the keeper making the final score Breckland 2 – Norwich 1.  
 
 
 

MENS 1ST XI - 15/04/2018 VS HAVERING (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 1st XI 
DATE: 15/04/2018 
FIXTURE: Mens 1st XI VS 15/04/2018 
HEADLINE: Norwich City dig deep to secure win 
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION B 
VENUE: Campion School 
RESULT: 1-0 
 
REPORT: 
 
Norwich City travelled to Havering well after the expected date for the end of the season. With the pressure off City rolled into the match in good spirits and carefree. During the first half both sides cancelled each other out, with goalkeeper Ali Cooke making a couple of decent saves, one diving low to his right with his stick. At one point Havering hit the post and the ball rolled right across the line before Harry Brown could clear. City’s own chances came when Cameron Cooke marauded down the left wing and struck a backhand across the D, but unfortunately Like Corden deflected narrowly wide on this occasion. Another when Tom Cox linked up with Chris Wardale playing a one-two around a defender, but unfortunately could not be apply the finishing touches. Half time came and the score remained 0-0. 
 
The second half continued in much the same vein as the first, with City coming under more pressure as they began to tire against the superior numbers of the opposition. However, this did mean that there was more space for Norwich to exploit on the counter attack. Norwich’s goal came around 10 minutes from time when Luke Corden bombed forward, taking on what seemed like half the Havering team one man at a time! Eventually he managed to slip the ball to Cameron Cooke who had managed to peel off his marker into some space on the right hand edge of the D. As the defender closed him down he cut inside him and slotted a powerful low reverse inside the keepers near post. City, with weary legs, saw out the game well with good use of the long aerial as Havering put on a full press. As ever, it was a physical match against Havering and City did well to keep their discipline and composure on the whole. Full time came and it finished 1-0 to Norwich City who now look forward to Prem A hockey next season. 
 
Man of the match went to Ali Cooke for some excellent goalkeeping. 
 

MENS DEVELOPMENT XI - 14/04/2018 VS WATTON (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens Development XI 
DATE: 14/04/2018 
FIXTURE: Mens Development XI VS 14/04/2018 
HEADLINE: Fun in the sun 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT: NCHC Devs 14 - 0 Watton 
 
REPORT: 
As expected from their previous encounters this year City dominated from start to finish. Whilst it is always nice to score some goals in the glorious spring like weather it was also pleasing to see how well the five U12 players, including debutants Sam Kassulke and Louis Miller, acclimatised to 11-a-side hockey and looked totally at ease on and off the ball, which bodes well for next year. 
 
Ethan Rushton scored the first goal, swiftly followed by a second which came as the result of a delightful flowing move from midfield, out to the right and slipped back for Ethan to slot home. A brace from Freddie Paterson and one from Corey Rushton made it 5-0 at half time. It was particularly pleasing to see two touch passing Hockey that came to the fore as the half progressed, with Angus Irving yet again prominent in how to create space and keep things simple with accurate and incisive passing. 
 
With the focus in the second half on passing rather than dribbling City aimed to play a four touch game, to limit too much dribbling. This worked well and the team looked much better when they played with their heads up and actually looked to pass first. Given virtually the whole game was played inside the Watton half there were a lot of creative substitutions to try and ensure defensive and attacking duties were shared around....not an easy task when at one point our two defenders for that moment were seen camped on the opposition 23m line....hmm! 
 
Anyway, in terms of the second half stats, Jonty Black scored 4, Freddie 2, Oliver Moore 2 and Edward Beake 1 despite a managerial rule that said if you scored you were substituted. Sam, Rocco Iaccarino, Alex Illing and Farren Miller all came close to scoring but were thwarted by some excellent saves by the 9 year old Watton keeper or scrambled goal line clearances. 
 
Special mention to Josie Miller in the City goal whose only touch was at the very end of the match when every City player crowded round the D for a final penalty corner, sadly neither Josie nor the team could contour a magical finale. 
 
Man of the match was Josie Miller for concentrating throughout and making it into the opposition D.