Results

LADIES 1ST XI - 14/10/2017 VS LOWESTOFT LADIES (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens 1st XI 
DATE: 14/10/2017 
FIXTURE: Womens 1st XI VS 14/10/2017 
HEADLINE: Sunshine and sand in Lowestoft. 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 1 NORTH 
VENUE: Lowestoft 
RESULT: 2-1 Win! 
 
REPORT: 
The Womens ones took on Lowestoft Womens away today. On arrival a rallying team talk from coach extraordinaire Matthew Pies Brine set out the game plan for the match ahead and Norwich were fired up to secure their fourth win of the season. The warmed up went well, with Norwich attempting to get used to the beachy pitch conditions, a stark contrast to their home pitch. 
 
Norwich had the first touch of the ball, and with the sun on their backs attacked from the start, winning a short corner early on. Unfortunately the first short corner routine, though well executed by Oli who fired the ball across the goal to Ellie for the deflection failed to cross the line.  
This was followed by another short corner powerfully struck by Micayla and deflected into the back of the goal, around Lowestoft's strong goalkeeper by Suze, to take the lead.  
 
An early lead from Norwich was soon equalled by Lowestoft. A quickly taken free hit caught Norwich unprepared and won them a short corner which they deflected in on the far post to score. 
 
The rest of the first half showed strong attack and movement off the ball from Norwich. Driving runs with the ball from Micayla and Fongy carried play forwards, but the Lowestoft defenders kept managing to cut out the final pass. Harriet and Dani kept up a high tempo taking quick side line balls and pressing forwards. The interplay between the full backs Suze and Sally helped to move the ball around the back effectively. Strong pressing in the attacking half against Lowestoft free hits, well organised by Ange, forced them to make errors and play some hit and hope style hockey. But Norwich had failed to achieve the allusive second goal when the half time whistle blew! 
 
The second half was sadly strewn with dangerous balls and head injuries were incurred by both teams. This proved particularly difficult for Lowestoft who where fielding a bare 11, but all bravely played on. 
Norwich maintained a relentless attack with shots fired in from all the forwards, Ellie, Oli, Krystal and Emily but Lowestoft's goalkeeper managed to smother these. Until Oli hounding the keeper after the initial save managed to release the ball to Krystal who skilfully created space and fired the ball home. 
Norwich were careful to keep possession in the final moments as the clock ran down, in the face of strong pressure on their defence especially Fongy who had faced some "hard" challenges earlier in the game. Final result, 2-1 win, player of the match went to Captain Jo Staines. 
 
 
 

LADIES 3RD XI - 14/10/2017 VS UEA 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 3rd XI 
DATE: 14/10/2017 
FIXTURE: Womens 3rd XI VS 14/10/2017 
HEADLINE:  
LEAGUE: NORFOLK PREMIER DIVISION 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT: NCHC 3rd XI 3 - 0 UEA 4th XI 
 
REPORT: 
 
A slow start for Norwich City Womens 3rds at home with the bare 11 on a very warm autumn evening as a strong UEA team took an early lead within the first 5 minutes of the game. However, City equalised with shot from Jenni Stanghan just before the second half. 
 
Norwich City looked more lively in the second half with Zoe Smith dominating the centre of the pitch and the midfield linking up well to provide the forwards with a number of opportunities saved by the on-form UEA keeper. The relentless pressure from Norwich City finally paid dividends as Captain Rachel Gregory, playing out of position on the forward line popped the ball into the goal, with Jenni Stanghan belting the ball home to secure bagging the full 3 points. 
 

MENS 1ST XI - 14/10/2017 VS DEREHAM (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 1st XI 
DATE: 14/10/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 1st XI VS 14/10/2017 
HEADLINE: Local derby reignites healthy rivalry 
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION B 
VENUE: TRF 
RESULT: 1-1 
 
REPORT: 
Saturday’s match saw the first league meeting between local rivals Norwich City and Dereham in a few years. The opening engagements were a tight affair, with both teams not letting the occasion of the local derby get to them. The best chances came through short corners. Firstly Dereham hit the bar off a straight drag flick and then Norwich used a left slip, far post deflection but unfortunately Raunaq Rai was unable to convert the waist high ball. Dereham found the break through from a short corner when, rather fortunately for them, the ball was deflected back into the danger area past the goalkeeper for an easy put away into an open net. Half time came with Norwich 1-0 down, but knowing they were well in the game and had every chance of turning the score line around. 
City started the second half well and shortly after half time managed to equalise when Tom Cox hit an upright reverse half volley across goal for Dave Skinner to deflect in the near post. Again, throughout the second half there were a number of short corner opportunities, but none of them were converted by either side. Alastair Cooke then managed to keep the scores level when expertly saving a deflection that was bound for the top left corner with his stick. As the match neared its conclusion the game became very stretched with neither side clearly willing to settle for the draw and both going for the winner. Despite a number of chances with men over for attacking players on both sides, the finishing touches were lacking and the game finished up 1-1 in a more exciting affair than the scoreline suggests; it could just as easily have ended up 4 or 5 all. Overall, the game was played in a good spirit though both teams came away disappointed not to have grabbed a win. 
 
 

MENS 2ND XI - 14/10/2017 VS HARLESTON MAGPIES 2 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 2nd XI 
DATE: 14/10/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 2nd XI VS 14/10/2017 
HEADLINE: Silvy sees red as City lose close game  
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 2 NORTH 
VENUE: Harleston 
RESULT: 1-0 loss 
 
REPORT: 
A good performance with a lot of positives, but our clinicality and discipline let us down.  
In the first half, good chances went to both teams in an even first period. Harleston's main chance saw a deflected PC routine saved expertly at full stretch by Millett in goal, City's chances were limited to a couple of PCs that ended up wide of the post.  
The second half started with the only goal of the game; the Harleston player ran from the halfway line, beating two players before for firing into the bottom corner. City came out after that and had and pushed for an equaliser, but that only led to counter attacks and heavy pressing. A number of chances late on for both teams, but the game was overshadowed by two cards for City in the final few minutes, as Jez saw a lengthy yellow card and Silvy saw red for language after a yellow card was originally given.  
Unlucky for city in the end, but both teams could have scored more goals.  

MENS 3RD XI - 14/10/2017 VS IPSWICH 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 14/10/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 14/10/2017 
HEADLINE: City's domination not shown in the scoreline! 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: 
RESULT: 
 
REPORT: 
To start this report I will read you some of Ipswich 2s match report: 
This was probably the team's hardest game so far (we're convinced the team had 1st team ringers in - WE DIDN'T bar myself of course!). We spent a lot of the game defending and managed to hold off the scoreline to 0-0 at half time.. 
 
Well after half time was when we turned up the quality and we finally executed a drag out and stop at a short corner which finally meant Rees Leonard could show off his skills and he duly dispatched a drag flick into the top corner off the bar. However a momentary lapse in concentration at the back let Ipswich 2s in for an underserved equaliser in what was their second break into our D. However some excellent stick skills from Ben Cushion and Jack Luther led to two more goals for City and put them in the driving seat a late penalty Flick again completely against the run of play was another highlight for the away side but it was City who were deserved winners. 

MENS 4TH XI - 14/10/2017 VS NORWICH DRAGONS 2 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 4th XI 
DATE: 14/10/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 4th XI VS 14/10/2017 
HEADLINE: Scorched by the Dragons 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Dragons Den 
RESULT: 4:3 
 
REPORT: Following some mixed performances of late, Norwich City 4s were looking to upset the league's early pacesetters and improve on their recent results. A lively first 15 minutes saw both teams make inroads into their opponents halves but a combination of assured defending and poor decision making from both attacking forces kept the scores level. City grew in confidence and took the lead as Matthew Brine slotted home the opener after good work from Cowan and Circuit. This new found belief however was short lived as within minutes of the restart a lapse of concentration gave Dragons a way back into the game. More heartache was to follow shortly afterwards as a strong pass across the goalmouth by Dragons was inadvertently deflected into his own goal by City's captain Dale. A reshape at half time and a strong start saw City draw level within a minute of the restart as Cowan finished from close range at the second attempt from a short corner. 
Again City were made to pay for some indecision as Dragons scored from their own short corner midway through the second half to retake the lead. With City piling forward looking for the equaliser, Dragons scored from the penalty spot and looked home and dry. City had their own penalty corner awarded with seconds left and Defender Jag scored sweetly into the top corner to reduce the arrears but time ran out for City who bravely fought to the end. 
MOM Mark Circuit  

MENS 7TH XI - 14/10/2017 VS DEREHAM 4 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 7th XI 
DATE: 14/10/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 7th XI VS 14/10/2017 
HEADLINE: Narrow Victory 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 6 NORTH EAST (NORTH) 
VENUE: TAVERHAM RECREATION FACILITY 
RESULT: NORWICH CITY 7 2 DEREHAM 4 1  
 
REPORT: 
City moved to the top of the embryonic table with a narrow victory in an enjoyable encounter played on an unexpectedly warm October morning.  
City with their youngest adult team for some time took an early lead when a cross from the left looped over the goalkeeper and found Alex Tomkinson waiting at the far post to knock home at head height. Although City enjoyed the lions share of possession to create inroads into the Dereham defence the visitors took advantage of their counter attacks to create chances of their own. However, there was no further score before the break. 
 
The game followed a similar vein in the second period, but with ten minutes remaining Dereham were a little fortuitous to equalise. City were not be denied and with the clocking ticking down player of the match Elliot Fox picked the ball up just outside the 23 and weaved his way into the circle before firing past the keeper.  

U18 BOYS XI - 15/10/2017 VS HARLESTON MAGPIES U18B (H) 
 
TEAM: U18 Boys XI 
DATE: 15/10/2017 
FIXTURE: U18 Boys XI VS 15/10/2017 
HEADLINE: U18 Boys Lose Out in Showcase Game 
LEAGUE: EH U18 Boys Championship 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT: Lost 0-2 
 
REPORT: 
On an unseasonably hot October day, two U18 Boys hockey teams chock full of talent slugged it out in front of a large crowd basking in the sunshine. Both City and Magpies had a large number of first and second team players on show, and the technical ability of both sides was something to behold.  
 
Magpies started stronger, but City quickly came back, having several great chances to take the lead. Sadly our attacking line of Ben Withers, Alfie Cooper and James Hewett found they were up against a keeper having one of his best days, and saving everything including heading away one shot from close range! After a spell of City pressure, Magpies fought back and won a short corner, which they dispatched to take a 1-0 lead into the second half. 
 
City’s strong midfield of Josh Bailey, Harry Paterson, Dan Phillips and Jake Cushion were in a real battle against an equally strong Magpies midfield group. The match was end-to-end with no team clearly on top. In defence, we seemed to be keeping Magpies star forwards quiet, with Sam Bingham and Rob Duffy doing a great job of snuffing out the speedy forwards. With Billy Buckingham making smart saves when called up and the industrious Nathan Sharpe, Alex Merron and Fitz Hornor working hard to mark their opposite numbers, the next goal was key. On 'one of those days' for City, the goal was to go Magpies’ way, again from a short corner which was well struck into a gap on the near post. 
 
With the game ebbing away, City worked really hard to get a goal back, but it wasn’t to be. The City coaches couldn’t ask for any more from the players and it was just a shame that someone had to win. The City Boys now go into the plate competition and are hoping for a good cup run. 
 
 
 

COLTS XI - 15/10/2017 VS HARLESTON MAGPIES U16B (H) 
 
TEAM: Colts XI 
DATE: 15/10/2017 
FIXTURE: Colts XI VS 15/10/2017 
HEADLINE: Raunaq runs riot 
LEAGUE: EH U16 BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP 
VENUE: TAVERHAM RECREATION FACILITY 
RESULT: NORWICH CITY U16 6 MAGPIES U16 0 
 
REPORT: 
City open their Under 16 Boys campaign with a victory over local rivals Magpies thanks to the silky skills of player of the match Raunaq Rai. 
City featured a couple of players, Cameron Cooke and Raunaq Rai, who have gained first team experience and they provided the foundation of the side. Several players from the younger year were introduced into the team and acquitted themselves well. 
City took the lead after five minutes when Cameron Cooke took a quick free hit and dribbled into the circle before finding Louis Hart who converted. Ten minutes later it was Cameron Cooke who scored picking up the ball outside the 23, dribbling into the circle before unleashing a powerful reverse stick shot. 
The City defence were well marshalled by Tom Bailey, with Cameron Husband making a some excellent last ditch tackles and Ben Millett thwarting any Magpies breakthroughs. 
Raunaq Rai opened his account with a short corner drag flick and followed this up five minutes before the break with a dribble along the goalline beating a couple of defenders before slotting past the keeper. 
After the break City started to run with the ball a little too much, but Raunaq Rai completed his hat trick with a carbon copy of his second. He then completed the scoring with a simple tap in after good pass from Tom Bailey found George Harrad who beat a defender and eliminated the keeper. 
 
 

MENS DEVELOPMENT XI - 14/10/2017 VS HARLESTON MAGPIES (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens Development XI 
DATE: 14/10/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens Development XI VS 14/10/2017 
HEADLINE: Magpies keeper thwarts Devs onslaught 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Harleston  
RESULT: Harleston Magpies 5 - 3 Norwich City 
 
REPORT: 
Whilst another young City side lost 5-3 they could easily have won 10-4 had it not been for an outstanding performance by the home team's keeper. We must have had 30 plus shots, the vast majority of which were on target, yet we hit at them at the roof, the corners, round the keeper an invariably we came away without a goal. 
 
The first quarter saw a front 3 of Ethan Rushton, Freddie Paterson and Harry Ford creating chance after chance only to see shot after shot saved. Two somewhat scruffy break away goals flattered the home side at the first break. A quick celebration of how they were playing and a reminder of defensive positioning saw much the same pattern of play in the second quarter. With half the team arriving strainght from a rugby tournament a tactical switch moving Ethan into left half added real solidity to the team and a fast break away added to City's woes to leave the half time score 3-0. Not much Will Morrissey could have done for any of the goals. 
 
City showed real character and a never say die attitude to make the score 3-1, thanks to. Great sideline hit from Henry Baker, to Sam Hyatt on to Harry for Jack to tap in. 3-1 soon became 3-2 than to. Corey Rushton tap infollwoing yet another flowing move including Oliver Moore, Jonty Black and Henry Baker. Just as it looked like City they had finally found a way to beat the home keeper a brilliant fast breakaway move made it 4-2. 
 
Despite being shattered the team continued to get stuck in and made it 4-3 thanks to a delightful dribble through the D and round the keeper from Oliver Morre. Another goal line scramble made it 5-3 with City just failing to make it 5-4 with a final short corner. 
 
A great game, with some fine performances from the experienced players very ably supported by our 3 U12s, Harry Ford, Krishna Patel and Corey Rushton. 
 
The man of the match was Ethan Rushton for playing virtually the whole of the first half as a very good left wing and then producing some fine tackles and some very good reading of the game when he switched to midfield. 
 
Thank you all.