Results

LADIES 1ST XI - 19/11/2016 VS NORWICH DRAGONS 1 (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens 1st XI 
DATE: 19/11/2016 
FIXTURE: Womens 1st XI VS 19/11/2016 
HEADLINE: Local Derby goes way of the Dragons 
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION 
VENUE: Dragons Den 
RESULT: 3-0 Loss 
 
REPORT: 
City were under pressure from the off as 2nd placed Dragons applied early pressure into City half although Citys strong defence held firm and stopped Dragons from any clear cut chances before 20 minuets a great swift attacking move gave Dragons the lead, City came back though and created some chances on their own as if finished 1-0 at the break.  
 
In the 2nd half Dragons scored two set play goals which really killed City's chances a PC and PS were both coneverted by Dragons start player King. City did keep on fighting and in the whole defended quite well, City will be disapointed" to have not scored today however especially since they created numerous penalty corners without conversion. FT 3-0 

LADIES 2ND XI - 19/11/2016 VS LODDON 1 (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens 2nd XI 
DATE: 19/11/2016 
FIXTURE: Womens 2nd XI VS 19/11/2016 
HEADLINE: Poor Day all round! 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK PREMIER DIVISION 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Hobart High School 
RESULT: 3-0 LOSS 
 
REPORT: 
In City's quest for Division 2NE hockey this is a very poor result as they failed to ever really get going as they lost 3-0 away to mid-table Loddon. The less said about this game as the 2s look to bounce back with a win next Saturday against bottom of the league Carrow. 
 

LADIES 3RD XI - 19/11/2016 VS BROADLAND 1 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 3rd XI 
DATE: 19/11/2016 
FIXTURE: Womens 3rd XI VS 19/11/2016 
HEADLINE:  
LEAGUE: NORFOLK PREMIER DIVISION 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Taverham Recreation Facility 
RESULT: 4-1 (L) 
 
REPORT: 
After an unfortunate and frustrating defeat the previous week, NCHC Womens 3s were eager to get a good result against top of the League, Broadland 1s.  
 
We knew it would be tough and sure enough Broadland were fast out of the blocks and put us under pressure from the start. It wasn’t long before they opened the scoreline. City fought hard to keep Broadland at bay, with Goal Keeper Summer Haylock making a number of important saves. City’s defence found themselves under constant pressure with wave after wave of attacks from Broadland, and it wasn’t long before they slotted home a 2nd and then 3rd goal, putting the half-time score at 3-0. 
 
After an inspiring team talk from Coach Debbie Bryant, City ramped up their efforts for the 2nd half, making sure they were fighting for every 50/50 ball. Unfortunately Broadland managed to break through the City Defence one more time, adding a 4th goal to their tally.  
 
City were looking much stronger in the 2nd half, and were able to put the Broadland defence under pressure on a number of occasions. Eventually City got what they were looking for when Anna Horsley found herself in a 1 on 1 situation and was able to scoop the ball over the keeper and past the goal line. This lifted City’s spirits and they continued to push forward, seeing more of the possession and having several further attempts on goal. 
 
The final score was 4-1 to Broadland, and POTM again went to Gemma Sargent for her relentless work in defence.  
 
 

LADIES 4TH XI - 19/11/2016 VS UEA 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 4th XI 
DATE: 19/11/2016 
FIXTURE: Womens 4th XI VS 19/11/2016 
HEADLINE: City louse out at home to UEA! 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK PREMIER DIVISION 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Taverham High School 
RESULT: 2-1 LOSS 
 
REPORT: 
City 4s suffered a disappointing home defeat at the hands to mid-table UEA 2s. City took the lead in the 2nd half when Hannah Bush had a shot which was deflected into her own net by a UEA defender. However UEA came back at City and scored two well worked goals and managed to seal out a 2-1 win.  
 

LADIES 5TH XI - 19/11/2016 VS YARMOUTH 2 (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens 5th XI 
DATE: 19/11/2016 
FIXTURE: Womens 5th XI VS 19/11/2016 
HEADLINE: First defeat for the 5's 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK LEAGUE DIVISION 2 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Yarmouth  
RESULT: Yarmouth 4 -Norwich City 5's 0 
 
REPORT: It was a very different team that headed to Yarmouth for the womens 5's top of the league clash. With 7 regular players either unavailable or being pulled to support the higher teams the 5's knew it would be tough. Within the first 10 minutes City had conceded a goal (only the 2nd of the season) with a great own goal from Karen Hobden from a short corner, who then suffered a freak injury. While she was being transported to A&E it seemed City lost all structure and were quickly down 3-0. Half time couldn't come too soon. A rousing team talk at half time from 'Captain for the day' Bev seemed to lift City who started the 2nd half much better. However it wasn't to be and despite an improved performance in the 2nd half, the womens 5's suffered their first defeat of the season 4-0!!  
Unfortunately the highlight of the game didn't happen on the pitch but was a competition between the supporters stealing tea and the umpires 'girls love hockey' hoodie.  
Luckily the 5's have done enough in previous weeks to remain top of the league and look forward to next week, hopefully with a strengthened team.  
Thanks to Catherine and the 6's for helping us out today!!  
 

LADIES 6TH XI - 19/11/2016 VS BRECKLAND (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 6th XI 
DATE: 19/11/2016 
FIXTURE: Womens 6th XI VS 19/11/2016 
HEADLINE: City put 6 past Breckland! 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK LEAGUE DIVISION 2 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Taverham High School 
RESULT: 6-0 WIN 
 
REPORT: 
City 6s secured a comfortable home win as they put 6 at home past Breckland Womens 1s. Goals from Julia Marchant, Sharon Phillips, Maria Marsh, Lucy McNarry and two from Frances Cooke.  

LADIES 7TH XI - 19/11/2016 VS LODDON 2 (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens 7th XI 
DATE: 19/11/2016 
FIXTURE: Womens 7th XI VS 19/11/2016 
HEADLINE: A Game of Two Halves 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK LEAGUE DIVISION 3 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Hobart High School, Loddon 
RESULT: Loddon 2nd XI vs Norwich City 7th XI: 0-3 
 
REPORT: A game of two halves for Norwich City 7s resulted in a loss against a well-drilled Loddon team. With many playing out of position, Norwich City were on the back foot for the first half. Despite the rearguard action and some sterling work from Jan Kennard, Nicky Warde-Aldam and an impressive debut from Antje Kreutzmann, City conceded three goals. The second half saw much improvement with strong work across the pitch, allied to strong running from Charlotte Girling and Amy Hinchliffe, helping to push City forward. The clean sheet in the second half secured City's smallest deficit of the season and evidence of further improvement. Another strong performance from the redoubtable Rose Byrne saw her secure here fourth Player of the Match award. 
 

LADIES DEVELOPMENT XI - 19/11/2016 VS DEREHAM (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens Development XI 
DATE: 19/11/2016 
FIXTURE: Womens Development XI VS 19/11/2016 
HEADLINE: Goal after goal 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: TAVERHAM RECREATION FACILITY 
RESULT: NORWICH CITY 6 DEREHAM 0 
 
REPORT: 
Norwich had the best of play from push back, but struggled to capitalise on all their attacking moves for the first 10 minutes in a crowded defensive area packed with most of the Dereham team.  
  
However, as ball after ball headed towards the Dereham keeper, it was only a matter of time before something went in. Eventually, player of the match Millie Wimhurst opened the scoresheet with a deflection goal off the left post towards the end of the first quarter.  
  
  
The goals then started to flow as Norwich worked out how to beat the visitors’ defence. Next came a top of the D slap hit by Amy Barker that powered the ball into the net. Just minutes later there was another decisive finish when Frances Underhill scored by slotting the ball to the left of the keeper’s feet.   
 
Tilly Butterworth had a great game in centre midfield and scored the fifth goal by converting a short corner, picking up an attempted clearance from Dereham and sending it into the net. The final goal was scored by Millie Wimhurst again, with intelligent positioning she managed to neatly deflect the ball in on the left post. 
  
POM Millie Wilmhurst 
  
 Match report by Liz Hollis 
 

LADIES MASTERS XI - 20/11/2016 VS CAMBRIDGE CITY O45S (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens Masters XI 
DATE: 20/11/2016 
FIXTURE: Womens Masters XI VS 20/11/2016 
HEADLINE:  
LEAGUE: Masters Womens O 45's Cup 
VENUE: Cambridge 
RESULT: L 4-0 
 
REPORT: 
We unveiled our Over45's squad of an impressive 15 players on Sunday 20th November to face the Cup Winners of 2015/2016 away at Cambridge in the first round – and whilst the Cambridge players warmed up in their East Region Hoodies, we wore our Norwich City Club kit with pride, and kept our secret weapon England squaddie, Sally, under wraps. Manager Leigh-Ann Worrall provided an encouraging pep talk and we took our positions in apprehension on the pitch.  
 
The whistle went and we started off well with some one touch passing and when we found the wings of the pitch we looked quite good with good work rates from Sally, Fiona and Longy who channeled the ball through to the midfield and forwards. However, Cambridge were tenacious, but we held them off for a good 15 mins or so, as the pressure was building Serena kept them at bay, but for much of the first half we were under the cosh from a strong Cambridge side and following a short corner awarded to Cambridge they found the back board 1-0. Half time was coming up and with another surge from Cambridge we conceded a further goal to take the score 2-0 to Cambridge, by which time we were more than ready for a breather!  
 
Second half started and there were a few cautious looks from the Norwich Womens as we took the opportunity to venture into the unknown territory of Cambridge 23 - Do I! Should I! Could I! Blimey we have the ball in their D it's getting close it was coming but alas not fruitful. Play continued and with another 2 goals for Cambridge we were then 4-0 down and it was then when an incident on the goal-line with Serena, having dived for a save, was pinned by Cambridge Captain with a wiggle and squiggle on the goal line, and yet still, somehow, Serena miraculously managed to clear the ball to the sideline! 
 
Player of the Match was Fiona - closely contended by Serena, Longy and Sally all putting in fine performances. 
 

MENS 1ST XI - 19/11/2016 VS WEST HERTS 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 1st XI 
DATE: 19/11/2016 
FIXTURE: Mens 1st XI VS 19/11/2016 
HEADLINE: City turn on style with passing display 
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION B 
VENUE: 
RESULT: 
 
REPORT: 
 
City started strongly imposing their high intensity style on the match from the off with their high press. The chances started to build and one was converted when Dave Skinner pounced on a loose ball in the D to slot the ball into the far corner post and in. West Herts 2s managed to get themselves back into the game after converting a short corner with a slip left routine and as Ali Cooke rushed off his line the attacked played the ball under him as he went to ground. This did not perturb City though, and shortly after they put together a scintillating team move to open up the West Herts defence. Sam Tomlinson, the player of the match, rolled his man in midfield and released the ball the Ed Sutton down the right of the pitch as his marker left him to engage the ball carrier. Ed Sutton then rolled a weighted pass inside the half back for Harry Gill to run onto and cross for Jeremy Elliott who had taken up a position a few maters off the baseline, in line with the near post. He then played a ball to the far post where Chris Wardale was waiting for his trademark finish, the tap-in. Half time came with the score at 2-1 to Norwich City. 
 
As the second half proceeded City created chance after chance with some really good attacking hockey with high ball pace and strong leading off the ball, playing a three or four touch style of hockey that the opposition simply couldn’t live with. Somehow City only managed to convert one more chance to go 3-1 up when a defender turned the ball into his own net off a Chris Wardale cross. The goal scorer himself said after he wasn’t sure if he was in the D or not, but if in doubt always celebrate! The only way West Herts looked like scoring was from creating short corner opportunities, but once City cottoned on to their slip left routine, used three runners and defended later short corners assuredly. The game finished 3-1, but it was not inconceivable that City could have been into double figures on another day. Never-the-less they will take great confidence from the performance into next weekend’s top of the table clash against Spalding. 
 

MENS 2ND XI - 19/11/2016 VS LONG SUTTON (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 2nd XI 
DATE: 19/11/2016 
FIXTURE: Mens 2nd XI VS 19/11/2016 
HEADLINE: Ainsthorpe stepps up  
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 1 
VENUE: Peele Leisure Centre 
RESULT: 1-1 Draw 
 
REPORT: 
City travelled away to Long Sutton knowing anything less than a draw would be disappointing given they'd taken 5 points from their last 3 games. The flat, icy pitch was difficult to contend with, with one entire left flank frozen and lifeless. The first half was slow to start with neither team getting a grip on the game. A lot of play going through the middle 3 of Pallister, Fretwell and Morgan as Long Sutton looked to break quickly when the city attacks broke down. They had a few opportunities however these were well dealt with, with the back four and Aisthorpe in goal communicating well to limit Long Sutton possession in the 23. After several warnings across the team, it was Captain Hindle who picked up the first green card of the game, due to swearing amongst certain members of the team. In fact it was Hindle who caused the majority of the action in the first half, with the first of his ambitious shots flying just over the crossbar having been hit on the volley from the top of the D. The second of these speculative shots hit Long Suttons captain just above the eye causing a nasty injury requiring him to go to hospital whilst unknowingly taking with him the key to the clubhouse. After a fairly lengthy delay, City started slowly ‘not for the first time this season’ and conceded from Long Suttons first attack after the pause, despite having the majority of possession city went into the break 1-0 down. 
City again, were slow to start the second half and the first 5 minutes were the liveliest of the game with Long Sutton having come out hard and forcing Aisthorpe into 2 successive reflex saves before the defence could get the ball clear and City could counter bringing their first short corner of the game. With Hindle on the bench, Cheeseman stepped up and converted the short corner at the first time of asking. The game was very much back and forth with Long Sutton pressing for a second goal and having scored a hatful at home on previous occasion’s city were wary in defence. Long Sutton picked up a number of short corners all of which were dealt with, the most notable a powerful drag-flick into the bottom right corner. As Long Sutton wheeled away to celebrate prematurely Ainsthorpe got down low and deflected the ball past the post with his stick. The game ebbed away with no one really taking a claim through the final 20 minutes. Morgan got a green card as the game drew to a close forcing a little added pressure on city but the game was seen out meaning City claimed another point away from home. 
MOTM: Jake Aisthorpe 
TYFC: Tom 'Fatan' Hindle 
 

MENS 3RD XI - 19/11/2016 VS NORWICH DRAGONS (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 19/11/2016 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 19/11/2016 
HEADLINE: City loose out in local derby.... 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 2 NORTH 
VENUE: 
RESULT: 
 
REPORT: 
Norwich City 3s entertained Norwich Dragons 1s at Taverham in this local derby game. The possession of the game was equally shared between the 2 teams with few efforts on target from both teams. Both teams had a few chances but were unable to convert, the dead lock was finally broken when Norwich City counter attack from a Dragons short corner was again over turned and Dragons broke quickly with numbers and caught Norwich City short at the back and were able to capitalise and leave both defence and keeper with little chance. The half ended 1-0 in favour of the visitors. 
The 2nd half started as the first ended but with Norwich City chasing the game the possession turned more in favour of the City side but were unable to find the net with the few chances that presented themselves. City did well to defend against a very attacking opposition when they had the ball from all over the pitch but City were once again undone by a Dragons short corner being beaten by drag flick. With only 10 minutes to go this left City a mountain to climb to get back into the game. Even though City fought until the end the game ended 2-0 to Dragons. 
Man of the match was awarded to Harry Ingham for both his excellent defensive and offence moves throughout the game. 
City next face Pelican’s in a bid to add points to their campaign. 
 
 

MENS 4TH XI - 19/11/2016 VS SUDBURY 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 4th XI 
DATE: 19/11/2016 
FIXTURE: Mens 4th XI VS 19/11/2016 
HEADLINE: City out-run in defeat at home to Sudbury 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Taverham High School  
RESULT: 6-4 Loss 
 
REPORT: 
City 4s had a disappointing home defeat to Sudbury 2s, despite 4 goals from Rees Leonard it wasn't enough as if it wasn't for a POTM performance from GK Gut Thrower the scoreline could of looked even worse for the 4th XI.  

MENS 5TH XI - 19/11/2016 VS NORWICH DRAGONS 4 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 5th XI 
DATE: 19/11/2016 
FIXTURE: Mens 5th XI VS 19/11/2016 
HEADLINE: Firing Blanks 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 4 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Dragons Den 
RESULT: Lost 1-0 
 
REPORT: 
A disappointing afternoon for the second week in a row. City 5s had a strong first half with an equal share of the possession. There was much better interplay with the midfield linking with the forward line but the team could not quite find a cutting edge. The Dragon's keeper kept them in the game with several fine saves from a short corner routine. With the game in the balance, Dragons came out the stronger after the break. A well worked goal gave the opposition the lead and quickly saw the City heads drop. A final push came from the team but it was not enough. An improvement from last week but not enough to find any points.   

MENS 6TH XI - 19/11/2016 VS IES 6 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 6th XI 
DATE: 19/11/2016 
FIXTURE: Mens 6th XI VS 19/11/2016 
HEADLINE: Battling Draw 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 6 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Ipswich 
RESULT: Drew 0-0 
 
REPORT: Another trip to Ipswich against their second team in the division. Having lost 7-1 at the same venue it was good to see a different set of opposition. Unfortunately, they included a senior player and national league umpire who would comfortably have played in our second team. A run past 6 players and reverse shot just wide of the crossbar in the first few minutes meant that all we did was try and prevent him from getting the ball and have many attempts at tackling him before too much damage was done. Thanks to some fine play by Playford in goal they weren't able to breech our defences. Meanwhile we created a few chances but Cushion and Woodward were unable to break the deadlock. A good result in the end. 
 

MENS 7TH XI - 19/11/2016 VS NORFOLK NOMADS (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 7th XI 
DATE: 19/11/2016 
FIXTURE: Mens 7th XI VS 19/11/2016 
HEADLINE: CLOSER THAN IT LOOKS 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 6 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: TAVERHAM RECREATION FACILITY 
RESULT: NORWICH CITY 7 1 NORFOLK NOMADS 4  
 
REPORT: Despite the score line the match was much close than it sounds, City being undone by the pace of the Nomads counter attacks. City fielded their youngest forward line for sometime but the youngsters were in good form and were a constant menace to the Nomads defence. City gave a debut to Harry Blackiston who added some skill at centre half. Nomads took the lead midway through the first half, but City hit back immediately when man of the match Luke Keeley dribbled in from the right and his dangerous cross was turned in by a defender. City were then unlucky to concede a second right on the stroke of half time. Although the second half was fairly even in terms of possession Nomads added two further goals. 
 

COLTS XI - 20/11/2016 VS SUDBURY U14B (A) 
 
TEAM: Colts XI 
DATE: 20/11/2016 
FIXTURE: Colts XI VS 20/11/2016 
HEADLINE: Quick out of the blocks City ease to comfortable victory 
LEAGUE: EHA U14 Boys Cup 
VENUE: Sudbury 
RESULT: Sudbury 0-3 Norwich City 
 
REPORT: 
City started quickly and were immediately on top thanks to Louis Hart's aggressive dribbling and the attacking movement created by Alex Tomkinson, Freddie Paterson and Rafe Lochore. Whilst it was no surprise that City should open the scoring, the fact that the first goal game inside 4 minutes from City's fourth attack was. An excellent run and pass from Hart found Tomkinson one on one with the keeper. His initial shot was saved but he calmly slotted the rebound. 
 
With Elliot Fox, Monty Platt and Max Merron controlling the midfield City were able to pen the hosts in their own half. After a couple of "sighting" penalty corners City doubled their lead when a 12th minute corner was inially saved for Platt to calmly rifle in a shot from the top of the D. Hart made it 3-0 in the 16th minute with a trademark jinxing run and shot. 
 
As is often the case when one side is dominant City tried to dribble the ball too much and it was somewhat of a delight to see Reuben Cooke, Rio Iaccarino, Monty Platt and Elliot Fox move the ball with pace and fluency "back and around" to excellent effect to set up a number of attacks down both flanks. 
 
The second half saw the hitherto quiet Jonty Black stamp his authority on the game with some slick one-twos combined with his trademark Duracell-like work rate. Rocco Iaccarino was tireless up and down the right flank supporting attacks and showing real discipline when tracking back in defence. A moment of magic from Rafe Lochore nearly extended City's lead when heswivelled and span through the Sudbury defence then smashed his shot just the wrong side and of the post. And then right at the end an awesome run from Paterson saw him latch on to a through ball beat the keeper then elect to pass rather than shoot which the defence managed to smother. 
 
Whilst this was a dominant performance City were indebted to Ethan Rushton who made a number of critical saves to ensure the score line remained comfortable. 
 
Naming a man of the match in such a dominant performance is always hard with Louis Hart's dazzling skills and Rio Iaccarino's mature reading of the game at the back and his desire to switch play from side to side were both worthy candidates but in the end the manager's man of the match was Monty Platt for quite simply the best performance in terms of decision making and personal responsibility I have seen from him! 
 
And finally.....when you pass the ball like you did today your hockey is A....Maz...Ing! 
 
 
 
 

U16 BOYS - 20/11/2016 VS BRAINTREE U16B (A) 
 
TEAM: U16 Boys 
DATE: 20/11/2016 
FIXTURE: U16 Boys VS 20/11/2016 
HEADLINE: City U16 Boys Beaten but Unbowed 
LEAGUE: EH U16 Boys Cup 
VENUE: Braintree HC 
RESULT: Lost 3-6 
 
REPORT: 
 
Unbeaten in their two U16 Cup outings so far, City’s Boys knew that the away trip to Braintree would probably determine who finishes top of the Regional Group. City started the better and within the first five minutes Ben Withers won a short corner with a strong run into the D, drawing a Braintree stick tackle. Harry Paterson struck a well-hit shot which the Braintree keeper could only parry to Withers who scrambled the ball home. Braintree came back strongly and looked like they had a good counter attack, when Tom Bailey made a superb tackle just outside the City D. The ball was shipped quickly to George Harrad on the left flank who crossed to Withers just outside the Braintree D. Withers sped into the D and unleashed a howitzer into the top right corner. 2-0. 
 
Braintree bounced back again, attacking in numbers. With City’s defence struggling to man-mark the runners, Braintree started to play some excellent 3D hockey. Braintree scored two quick goals to equalise. City not knowing what had hit them, began to rush the play and gave the ball away too cheaply. Heads dropped. Braintree scored three more times before a halftime whistle which was desperately needed from City’s perspective. 
 
The coach’s message at half time was that we needed to use our heads, keep the ball and concentrate on quick passes to our team mates. At the same time, we needed to communicate better in defence and win the 50:50 battles across the field. City started the second half in a completely different manner. Dan Phillips, Harry Paterson and skipper Sam Bingham in midfield tackled and passed like their lives depended on it and Cameron Cook joined Tom Bailey in defence to form a formidable centre pairing. And up front, Harry Basset, Ben Chapman and George Harrad made run after run, stretching the Braintree defence. 
 
The second half was a fantastic gladiatorial combat of end to end hockey from two very good teams. Braintree scored first with a well worked short corner routine. City bounced back, with a great breakaway goal, Withers smashing a diagonal ball from the right which Harrad at full stretch deflected into the goal. City had several more chances, with one short corner being miraculously saved on the line and another in the net but too high.  
 
The match ended a 6-3 loss to City. However, it was a great game of hockey and, apart from a 20 minute spell in the first half where we lost our heads somewhat, we were very competitive against a strong Braintree side. The Boys will learn a lot more from this match than they have from the easy wins they have had so far in the competition. Our final match is not until February, when we take on IES when a good result should take us through into the Regional Finals. 
 
There was strong competition for man of the match, with candidates including the versatile Cameron Cook and the midfield dynamo Dan Phillips. However, the award goes to Ben Withers who not only scored two goals and assisted the third, but also sprinted back to assist the defence on a number of occasions. 
 
 

MENS DEVELOPMENT XI - 19/11/2016 VS DEREHAM (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens Development XI 
DATE: 19/11/2016 
FIXTURE: Mens Development XI VS 19/11/2016 
HEADLINE: City Dev''s emerge victorious 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Dereham 
RESULT: Dereham 0 - 1 Norwich City Hockey Club 
 
REPORT: 
City started brightly with Toby Pallister, Jonty Black, Freddie Paterson and Richie Mann creating a string of early chances. Oliver Moore was unlucky to see his shot slip just wide of the left hand post after a flowing one touch move between Black and Paterson. Undeterred, City maintained the pressure and justly took the lead through Paterson's shot onto the right hand corner. Moore, Mann and Alex Tomkinson all went close but found the two over aged Dereham players a tough obstacle to crack. 
 
Whilst City dominated the first quarter Dereham should have equalised in the second thanks to some neat hockey with the home team's adult players at the heart of their best hockey. Some occasional timely and occasional last-ditch tackles from Cameron Husband and Malachy McDonnell saving City's blushes....and when the defence was breached debutant Josie Miller protected his goal with maturity and ability well beyond his tender years. 
 
The third quarter saw City reassert their control with Joseph Roy and Rocco Iaccarino working tirelessly in midfield, supported by the vision of Sam Hyatt. Jonty Black nearly doubled City's lead when he very nearly deflected a head high ball into the goal only to be thwarted by an equally good reflex save by the keeper. 
 
The fourth quarter saw City nearly "do an England" (vs Spain) with the coach having to remind the players to keep depth and structure to their play rather than the occasional 8 man attack! All ended well with a hard fought but deserved victory. 
 
Debutant Josie Miller was deservedly named man of the match by his peers for a number of positive and important saves.