Results

WOMENS 2ND XI - 21/10/2023 VS CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 2nd XI 
DATE: 21/10/2023 
FIXTURE: Womens 2nd XI VS 21/10/2023 
HEADLINE: New formation still falling into place for improving City 2s 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 1 NORTH 
VENUE: TRF  
RESULT: 3-2 Loss  
 
REPORT: 
Going into the game against Cambridge Uni 2s, City's captain Milly recognised it for the opportunity it was; a chance to bring the game to a team in the same league position as themselves, with very similar results. A chance to turn around their misfortunes of the week before, and to finally shake off past confusions with the new formation and get the result their quality deserved. Thanks to coach Cookie, the warm-up was energetic and positive, compared to the somewhat lacklustre drills of the Cambridge Uni fifteen. City's thirteen-strong squad were optimistic and ready for the game.  
 
The first half started strongly, the teams evenly matched (despite Uni's youth and much larger squad); City making several penetrating moves through the pitch using the triangle passes practiced in training, and Ange and Jemma dispossessing Uni players through the middle of the pitch. But Uni were equally finding ways through, although nothing that would result in a shot in goal thanks to Sally's low challenges and Leigh-Ann and Jess's clearances. However an unlucky foul in the D gave Uni a corner, and they took their chance to open the scoring for the game.  
 
Norwich didn't take this lying down, and play through the middle of the pitch remained even, quick paced and tight from both teams, Helen putting in her usual high-energy performance in the centre. It wasn't long before Hannah Jarvis put a ball into the attacking 25, taking a deflection from Frankie's stick into the D, and ultimately resulting in a short corner for City - which Evie confidently landed against the Uni backboard.  
 
At half-time heads were high, Manager Rosie filled with confidence; the score was 1-1 and Norwich were edging dominance. However the game was exhausting with man-marking a tireless job. Regardless, City were giving it their all as the second half got underway.  
 
City had fewer opportunities to connect passes this half, and Uni were relentless in their pressure on the Norwich D. However, a ball through from the screens soared towards the far right corner of the pitch, where Evie again drove into the D and found the top left corner of the goal.  
 
2-1, and less than half of the half remaining, but the large squad of the Uni team was starting to show, and they were certainly having the lion's share of possession and attacks. City's whole team were working back in defence - Evie, El, Milly and Frankie all finding themselves back from midfield and the forward line to hassle and tackle in the 25, keeping City ahead. But with so much pressure, short corners were conceded. Eventually Uni were able to put one away with not much time left for City to react.  
 
City's heads did not drop, but unfortunately it was Uni who reacted, scoring from a break-away of two players, three minutes from the final whistle. Jo in goal had done the job for City many a time, but this time there was nothing she could do. The match ended 3-2, with the whole team knowing they had worked hard for one another one the day. More tactical discussion and understanding of the formation will undoubtedly see City finally benefit from all the work and progress made by the City team, and it will be thoroughly deserved.  

WOMENS 3RD XI - 21/10/2023 VS WATTON 1 (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens 3rd XI 
DATE: 21/10/2023 
FIXTURE: Womens 3rd XI VS 21/10/2023 
HEADLINE: A tough day at the office  
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 2 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Watton 
RESULT: Lost 8-1 
 
REPORT: 
 
The team arrived a soggy Watton full of positivity, hoping to get back to winning ways after last week’s disappointment. The team started well with early short corners showing promise, but our final touches couldn’t find the corners and meant no goals early on from City. Watton seemed to grow into the game quickly with a series of strong counter attacks leading to them scoring the opening goal. Some rapid dribbling from Emily Winter down the right wing provided chances for City but a strong Watton defence denied any shots on goal. Watton continued to look dangerous on the attack and having won a short corner, scored their second with a powerful and clinical strike from the top. City managed to hold on towards the end of the first half with brave defending from Niamh, Danni and Emma stopping Watton from scoring another goal. 
At half time wise words from coaching dream team of Ali and Chris Wardale and captain, Claire the team returned to the pitch with renewed resolve. City started the second half hoping to find the goals to mirror their first half performance, but a Watton side filled with momentum soon build on their lead with a rapid run through the midfield followed by a strong finish. In a challenging period of the game Watton showed their experience and quality with more goals going past the city defences and it seemed that we had no answers for the pace and strength of their attacking runs despite the heroic efforts of goalkeeper Jess. However, City never gave up and determined runs from Amelie, Helen and Evie meant that further chances were created and eventually Helen was able to slot a follow up shot over the keeper for a consolation goal. The score line did not reflect what was on the whole a competitive and hard-fought game by both teams. With a slip date next Saturday there is time to rebuild confidence and come back fighting in two weeks’ time. 
POTM: Amelie Horsley 

MENS 1ST XI - 22/10/2023 VS BARFORD TIGERS 1 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 1st XI 
DATE: 22/10/2023 
FIXTURE: Mens 1st XI VS 22/10/2023 
HEADLINE: Norwich City's 3rd win in a row  
LEAGUE: CONFERENCE MIDLANDS 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT: 5-3 win  
 
REPORT: Barford were welcomed with their long journey with open entry to our D. 3 short corners in 3 minutes but thankfully nothing to trouble to scoreline after 2 Alastair Cooke saves & a Tom Harris pick as post man. After recovering from the early onslaught Norwich took back control. First Cameron Cooke threatened and then Harry Gill beat 2 defenders and ran past 2 more before finding Cameron Cooke in the D to deflect in for the lead. Shortly after, Tom Cooke won a turnover and slapped a pass into Chris Wardale who guided the ball into the D with 1 touch and Cameron Cooke doubled his & Norwich Citys' tally. Q1 ended 2-0.  
Quarter 2 was end to end with neither side taking control but also neither side troubling the scoreboard. HT: 2-0.  
Quarter 2 began with 2 more Barford penalty corners but also 2 more Alastair Cooke saves. Soon after a quickly taken free hit saw Josh Baker being down an aerial deep into Barfords 23 and after a dribble into the D along the baseline he found Elliot Hibell who calmly took the ball onto his reverse and planted it home for a 3 goal lead. And the clinical goal scoring continued with Ben Chapman running from his 23, all the way up the right hand side into the Barford D before he pulled the ball back to Chris Wardale for a first time hit into the opposite bottom and an immense 4 goal lead. Q3: 4-0. 
The 4th quarter opened with Norwich going down to 10men for 5 minutes. Barford made the advantage pay, with 2 short corners they had roofed 2 drag flicks and the once commanding lead had begun to look shakey 4-2. Thankfully Max Wilson was on hand to kill the momentum by being 4 men on a run into the D and reversed into the bottom right corner for a 5-2 lead with 7 minutes to go. Norwich hung on but a hattrick of flicks with Barfords Australian flicker made the scoreline look close. A dominant performance that saw Norwich get well and truly back on track after a shakey start. After next week's cup match it will be another home game vs newcomers & unknown entity Banbury.