Results

WOMENS 3RD XI - 19/03/2022 VS NORWICH DRAGONS 4 (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens 3rd XI 
DATE: 19/03/2022 
FIXTURE: Womens 3rd XI VS 19/03/2022 
HEADLINE: Another week, another win! 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST NORTH 
VENUE: Dragons 
RESULT: WIN 4-1 
 
REPORT: 
A bright, early start to the Saturday morning saw City turn out for a local match against Dragons. City came into the game with good spirits, good teamwork & communication dealt with a strong start & City played the ball around to their advantage. Attacking work from all of the team saw City take the lead, strong work from Marie H, El J, Caroline & Hannah S secured city's attacking game, leading to Hollie J receiving the ball, skillfully taking it around Dragon's defence and smashing the ball into the back of the goal! 1 - 0 to City! 
 
The early triumph led to City taking their eye off the game. A series of strong attacks from Dragons resulted in a defensive short corner for City despite the strong defending from City's Gillian, Gem & Serena. Dragon's knew what they were doing on their short corner & unfortunately, Dragons scored making it 1 - 1. Motivational communication from El J brought City's spirits back up. Lots of attacking play from City, however, Dragons appeared to be one step ahead, blocking attacking drive & intercepting passes. The whistle went for halftime & the score was 1 - 1. 
 
A key team talk at halftime from Captain Claire & Coachess Longy giving reminders to play our hockey, communicate & work as a team. City came back out fighting with one aim for the rest of the match, the only aim was to win! Skillful teamwork from the back & beautiful passing saw Hollie J attacking, a smooth cross to Emily G across the D saw Emily G expertly put the ball in the back of the goal. 2-1 to CITY.  
 
Attacking play & strong runs from Uma P, Marie & Emma saw City's attacking play strengthen. Lots of missed chances led to an attacking short corner for City. A drag out to Emma at the top of the D led to a swift slip left, leading to Captain Claire doing a strong slap towards the D, unfortunately, it was stopped on the line by a Dragons player's foot otherwise that would have been the next City goal. However, it led to a penalty flick for City. Emma stood up to the challenge of a penalty flick & expertly slotted the ball into the back of the goal! 3-1 to CITY. 
 
Spirits rose even more, despite a few team injuries & exhaustion, City put it all into the final part of the match. Attacking play from the back with strong recycling & movement from Gillian & Gem saw City attack as a whole, continued effort with quick subbing also helped. Unfortunately, Hollie J came head to head with the Dragons GK. With a short time off to recover she came back with a fighting spirit. Attacking play led to a strong cross into the attacking D to Ellie A who smoothly lifted the ball over the Dragons GK into the back of the goal. The tension watching the goal go in was immense with some saying it seemed like 1 mph.  
 
City held their own for the final part of the game whilst being thankful when the final whistle blew. Another week & another win for City. 4 - 1 to CITY. Congratulations to POTM El & thank you to Coachess Longy for her expertise and running the bench. 

WOMENS 6TH XI - 19/03/2022 VS LODDON 2 (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens 6th XI 
DATE: 19/03/2022 
FIXTURE: Womens 6th XI VS 19/03/2022 
HEADLINE: A beautifully Sunny Saturday! 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 5 NORTH EAST NORTH 
VENUE: Langley School 
RESULT: 3-0 
 
REPORT: 
 
City were still buzzing after the news that they has secured promotion last weekend when they arrived at Langley School to play Loddon at 10am. The sun was shining, but City were prepared for a difficult game as Loddon were second in the table. City arrived with only 11 players after having their only sub drop out, but were glad to see that Loddon too had no subs. 
 
Both teams started strong with some good runs in the midfield. The speed of Esme and Scarlett coupled with the skill of Elle and Rosie meant that City had a fair few early chances at the Loddon goal. These opportunities were close but unfortunately, the Loddon keeper was very skilled. Another chance from Liz Hollis to Alice Brown saw the ball bounce off the lefthand post, but that was as close as City got. 
 
Loddon pushed back hard, attacking the City goal and forcing the majority of our midfield to track back to help defend. Some incredible defending from Sarah Sandell stopped the Loddon attack. City then launched a counteract and managed to get a short corner awarded. A good injection from Liz Hollis, to Elle at top D, then back to Liz saw City score the first goal of the game. 
 
The rest of the first half was very even with good opportunities on both sides. Luckily the strong defending of Sam and Millie kept bay the Loddon attack. Rosie Crane did amazingly taking the ball all the way from our defensive D into the Loddon D and switching the ball sublimely in midfield. When the whistle blew for half time, City were glad for the rest. 
 
As the second half started Loddon came back with a vengeance, desperate to even the score. They had some amazing shots at the City goal, with some going just wide of the left hand post. At one point Loddon did nearly score a goal, with the ball getting trapped under our GK Jo's foot. Luckily we have quite possibly the best GK on the planet and cool as a cucumber, she dealt with the situation and expertly kicked the ball out of the D to Elle who was waiting.  
 
Seeing our fantastic GK in action brought new strength to City's attacks. Esme and Scarlett had some amazing runs down the wing. Alice Hood was incredible in the top right hand corner, sending ball after ball into Loddons D. Elle Couzins picked up a ball on the outside of the D, had a shot which was going just wide of the left hand post. But luckily for her Alice Brown was there ready and waiting to tap the ball into the goal, scoring her 5th goal of the season!!!!!!! 
 
Energised after their second goal City attacked the Loddon D, again and again. Loddon now weren't so threatening and were having to pile into their own D to keep the attacks at bay. A good short corner lead to City's 3rd goal from Elle Couzins. Just before the final whistle Loddon had one more attempt at the City goal. But the formidable line up of Millie, Sarah, Rosie and Sam crushed any chance Loddon had of getting a goal.  
 
City were very proud of their 3-0 win against 2nd in the league. Everyone played amazingly. POTM went to Elle Couzins 
 
 

MENS 2ND XI - 19/03/2022 VS IPSWICH 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 2nd XI 
DATE: 19/03/2022 
FIXTURE: Mens 2nd XI VS 19/03/2022 
HEADLINE: Who needs subs?  
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 2 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT: 4-1 
 
REPORT: 
After a rather subdued title-winning match last week, City 2s were in high spirits even though they turned up at Taverham with only 11 and either not all fully fit or running half marathons the next day.  
 
The team talk laid out a defensive option should we go behind though straight from the whistle, City dominated and this was never needed. 
 
City found their passing rhythm with balls in and out of the corners for the forward five. The back three of Anthony, Circuit and Riddleston patiently transferring waiting for an option forward. The Marchants controlled the middle of the park, although an injury to Ethan, who had kindly dug out his stick, made him wonder why he had bothered. 
 
City went ahead early on through Anthony at a short corner. A pacy slingshot needed no assistance from the on rushing forwards. The second was not far behind with Land finding Kidner in front of goal. This start gave City the confidence to play great hockey as noted by one of the umpires. The third followed before half time from Pitcher from a right slip short corner to make it 3-0 at half time. 
 
Captain Anthony was thrilled and nothing but positive messages were relayed. Why bother having subs when you put in the effort and play as well as we did.  
 
The second half saw Ipswich improve but Norwich continued their dominance without scoring as many as maybe they should have. 
City's final goal was the best of the four. Riddleston, who wanted it noted he assisted the assist, found Anthony. He found Land with a pinpoint pass, running wide of the goal. He managed to deflect it back behind him and past the keeper. 
 
There was time for Ipswich to get a consolation which I imagine did not impress keeper Dolan who would have been looking to keep yet another clean sheet.  
 
City will be hoping for more of the same next week as they travel to Pelis for their final game though a sub or two might be nice.  
 
 
 

MENS 3RD XI - 19/03/2022 VS UNIVERSITY OF EAST ANGLIA 3 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 19/03/2022 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 19/03/2022 
HEADLINE: City crowned champions 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: UEU 
RESULT: Norwich City 3s 4 - 2 UEA 3s 
 
REPORT: 
Norwich M3s visited UEA on the back of a hard fought, but disappointing defeat against North Norfolk. The team knew that a win today, would give Norwich a great opportunity for taking the title and securing promotion, other results depending. 
 
The match started brightly, with chances being created both ends. But it was Tom Franks in the Norwich goal who was forced into some early saves, keeping the score level. After some further pushing from UEA, the hosts won a short corner which was converted after some frantic defending. 
 
It was clear more goals were coming, from both sides, but UEA doubled their lead with a superb volley after some excellent skills at the top of the D evading the Norwich defence. Norwich then gave themselves hope with Luke Corden pulling one back just before the halftime break. 
 
Halftime Score: UEA 2 : 1 Norwich 
 
With a constructive team talk ringing in the Norwich ears, the boys knew that if they kept their composure, they would get something from this game. 
 
With pressure reining down on the students defence, Norwich managed to get level with a goal from Matthew Brine. However, the game was still wide open with UEA causing havoc on the break, but finding the Norwich back line and Franks in inspired form to keep the scores level. 
 
As the second half progressed, the wind was firmly in the Norwich sails. The 3s took the lead with Ethan Rushton finding a way, with another goal from Corden giving us a healthy two goal lead with not long to go. 
 
 
 
Final Score UEA 2 : 4 Norwich