Results

WOMENS 1ST XI - 23/03/2019 VS ST ALBANS 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 1st XI 
DATE: 23/03/2019 
FIXTURE: Womens 1st XI VS 23/03/2019 
HEADLINE: P is for Perfection 
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT: 1 - 0 VICTORY 
REPORT: 
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjNjplL6ayI 
 
See above for your background music, go get a cup of tea and prepare for the upcoming emotional rollercoaster. Let’s set the scene: 
 
- Norwich city: 3rd bottom, with 16 points and a -28 goal difference that we prefer not to talk about. 
 
- Sevenoaks and West Harts: lurking 1 point below, playing each other this weekend, both with a significantly better goal difference. 
 
- 2 teams relegated. The hopes of surviving in the East Prem league after promotion just last season was precariously balanced in a grand, end of season finale. Who doesn't love a last minute drama? 
 
As shin pads snapped on, red bull cans cracked open and ribbons slinked into hair, a nervous edge filled the pre match prep. Neither side could break the deadlock in a fiercely contested first half. Suzie was the first warrior to fall, struck with an early calf injury that I don’t even think we can blame on Cookie. Mic Tootill nobly stepped into her sizeable shoes at the back and was every bit as much a brick wall. Great early spells of passing and possession opened up a host of short corners and City chances. Penalty corners however are not a P we’re fond of and a strong set of keeper pads kept the score 0-0. 
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4OOum4Vm-M 
 
Perseverance however is a P we can manage and as the sun shone down over a glorious second half, the hard work of the last 12 months started to pay off. Rachel Philips’ silky runs down the left hand side carved open the St Albans midfield and great running from Ellie B, Krystal and Emily up front kept the chances coming. Eventually Oli managed to pounce on a bobbling pass that trickled across the whole D and with a well-executed finish at the far post suddenly victory was in sight.  
 
Coach Pies remained calm and composed. There was barely an umpire warning, only a squeak of voice breaking with cries of FIND EACH OTHER and maybe just 4 small tears. Finally, a brief scuffle, quick card or 2 we can forget about and a very welcome final whistle. Safety … by 1 goal … in the last 5 minutes … fabulously done.  
 
It’s been a mammoth effort over the last 2 years to achieve promotion and then prove we’re good enough to stay. The stress may have nearly killed me, but in the wise old words of Kelly Clarkson “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”. BRING ON 2020. East Prem, we're coming for you. 
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sg_1atgn4jk  

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WOMENS 3RD XI - 23/03/2019 VS EVERGREENS 1 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 3rd XI 
DATE: 23/03/2019 
FIXTURE: Womens 3rd XI VS 23/03/2019 
HEADLINE: 3s win with 2 goals 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK PREMIER DIVISION 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Taverham (home) 
RESULT: 2-0 (win) 
 
REPORT: 
NCHC 3s’ were keen from the off in their penultimate match of the season against Evergreens 1s’. Having said goodbye to their star centre forward Holly Totten the week before, city found themselves with a few new youngsters in their midst; Gabby Sharp and Frances Underhill making their debut appearances up front, and Sophia Colman in goal. 
 
City started very well and were dominating the possession, with good passing and link up play between the mid fielders and the forwards. Emma Richardson and Sabina Baker were strong at the back and were distributing the ball well to half backs, Emily Spencer, Jenny Brine and Charlotte Baxter. 
 
City won a short corner early on and captain Kim Lusher opened the scoring with a straight strike bouncing straight past the Evergreens defense and keeper. 
 
City continued to dominate the play and were unlucky not to convert several further short corners in the first half. 
 
The second half started with city 1-0 up and determined to increase their lead. Heather Tasker and Player of the Match Jenni Stanghan were working tirelessly in midfield to get the ball up to the hungry forwards, and after a lovely run down the right wing, Frances Underhill crossed the ball to Liv Greenway who was able to slap the ball past the Evergreens keeper making it 2-0 to City. 
 
Evergreens fought back and City had to work hard to keep them at bay, but the hard work paid off when the final whistle blew and City had managed to hold on to their 2-0 lead. 

WOMENS 6TH XI - 23/03/2019 VS UEA 3 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 6th XI 
DATE: 23/03/2019 
FIXTURE: Womens 6th XI VS 23/03/2019 
HEADLINE: End to end battle with UEA 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK LEAGUE DIVISION 2 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE:TRF 
RESULT:2-2 
 
REPORT:Although safe from relegation, Norwich City were keen to play well this week and end the season on a high. A young, fit UEA had some skilled players who tested City and won a series of short corners but thankfully failed to score. City launched frequent counter attacks and their efforts were finally rewarded with the first goal of the match when Lucy Wimhurst sent a pass into the D which bobbled but was deflected by Julia Marchant. Unfortunately, despite an amazing penalty flick save by Norwich goalie Joanne Di-Corpo, UEA equalised soon after to take the game into 1-1 at half time. 
UEA dialled up the pressure in the second half with a pair of fast, lead attackers breaking through several times and threatening to score. Eventually, the pressure applied by UEA paid off for the visitors when they scored 20 minutes into play. City kept their cool and were rewarded with a goal from Georgie Bowett, who subbed into right midfield and almost immediately netted a pass from Jess Ball.  
Not quite the win they were after, but all the same City were delighted to take home a point from their last match. A challenging season, with frequent squad changes and injuries has left City loitering near the relegation zone. However,  
a positive team spirit and great leadership by captain Rose Byrne means City will stay in the same league next season.  
 
 

MENS 2ND XI - 23/03/2019 VS CAMBRIDGE UNI 2     (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 2nd XI 
DATE: 23/03/2019 
FIXTURE: Mens 2nd XI VS 23/03/2019 
HEADLINE: Run galore 
 
TEAM: Mens 2nd XI  
DATE: 02/03/2019  
FIXTURE: Mens 2nd XI VS 02/03/2019  
HEADLINE: Run galore  
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 1  
VENUE:  
RESULT:1-1  
 
REPORT:  
 
The finale game brought Cabridge uni 2’s to TRF for what would be, a all or nothing run around with the hope of scavenging some sort of result to end the season on a high... The match became exactly as described, lots of ball chasing and counter play against a very organized young uni team. A last gasp goal from Jeremy Elliot switched momentum city’s way for the last 5 minutes, chances came and went to secure a win for city with uni playing kicking back in the dying minutes. The draw was more than satisfactory and will aid drinking performance by the team for the end of season sesh tonight . Thank you everyone for this seasons hard work and commitment.  
 
Your sincerely 

MENS 3RD XI - 23/03/2019 VS KETTERING 1 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 23/03/2019 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 23/03/2019 
HEADLINE: Tough final game 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 2 NORTH 
VENUE: Bishop Stopford School, Kettering 
RESULT: 8-0 loss 
 
REPORT: 
A final game of the season for City, and what a way to go for it! Skipper Adam Sayer had counted how many different players have represented the 3rd XI this season, arriving at a total of 50! (probably explaining the appearance of a few grey hairs) To continue in this vein, City arrived in Kettering with only 10 players. Up against it from the start! 
Kettering soon scored their first and then again to take an early lead. Decisions went against City and the extra player for Kettering was punishing City, as all players were working hard to chase the ball. Kettering played well and took their chances, leading 6-0 at halftime. 
The second half saw City hold back the attacks more often, but Kettering managed to score a few more goals. There was a glimmer of hope for City when a Rees Leonard drag flick from a short corner went in. However celebrations were short lived, as the umpires ruled that it was taken out of the D. The game finished 8-0 to Kettering, who played a good game and were good hosts. 
I would like to thank everyone of the 50 players who has helped the 3rd XI this season, in particular the regular core players who have turned up week in and week out, no matter where the game has been. 
 
MOM: Captain Adam Sayer 
TYFC: The 11th player (should that read Thank You For Not Coming?) 

MENS 4TH XI - 23/03/2019 VS PELICANS 2 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 4th XI 
DATE: 23/03/2019 
FIXTURE: Mens 4th XI VS 23/03/2019 
HEADLINE: Pulitzer or Howitzer 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 4 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Pelicans 
RESULT: 4-2 victory 
 
REPORT: Cracking off a couple of Pulitzer prize winners earlier in the season (yes, you’ve spotted it, the Pulitzer is for fiction) the dubious honour falls once again to your scribe to meddle with history and fabricate another semi believable yarn of glory and honour - in the unlikely setting of Kings Lynn. 
Well, sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction and today was just so. So let me tell the tale while I cramp up and pour another generous G&T to relieve the knees. This rare self-indulgence is well deserved; today my eldest turned 15 and, more importantly, receiving another 4th team POTM accolade, thoroughly enjoyed himself in the bargain, the best of all outcomes. The only downside now is this task settled before me to scribble a passage of history recording our venture yet adding little to the sum of human endeavour or global peace – so, enough of these POTMs, please! 
 
We came with 12 which seems like profligate abundance compared to the time “ten men came to mow” (ibid), but due to pitstops, roadworks and the everlate-Nkrumah we started without much focus and a little anxiety not least for the audacious move by your scribe to bring G-man in. “It’s on you, this”, “you’re responsible for what happens out there” were just a couple of the amusing, if passive-aggressive, sharpeners delivered by my own side. ‘I’d rather be an MP than a talent scout’ is a phrase the younger me would never believe utterable. Well, any nervousness changed within seconds, to terror as the whistle blew and the overload came and wave upon wave of Hanseatic marauders washed up on the golden sands of our D - in fairness the new pitch was really good and had no sand. I digress...  
Against the run, a long ball found unexplored distant Lands(ie) and a narrow angle tap-in was afforded to the brilliant Nathan finding his pair of compasses and a protractor bought in the 5th year fleetingly useful. We all smiled at each other, the trees waved encouragingly bathed in the warming sunshine and the opposing crowd fell silent (our fans seemed absent, probably marching against Brexit in London) and, as we admired our handsome fortune the tide turned and the cookies burned once more. One all. They were top-of-the-league good, and our detailed planning to counter their overweight midfield (numbers, not kilos) appeared to merit nothing, yet, after an initial bombardment we began to level the pitch which was in fairness quite flat enough, effectively using Pelis’ own theodolites (see “taken out by the professionals”, ibid): your “have a go heros” had turned the table through the genius of skipper Frosty, leveraging his multi-decadal learning curve spanning double centuries conjuring an overload in our midfield with numbers and kilos, genius.  
Talking of time, it was patient Gs chance now, eyes swivelled action-man-like as I made way for him and nervous energy coursed once more through the statin enhanced midfield arteries now upon the bench. Not that G was in the least concerned, with a mixture of charm and sauve disposition our debonair winger proceeded up the field ball in tow and glasses still firmly on to examine the defence more closely. Time and again gasps, applause and the occasional rousing cheer came (not only from the subs bench) as G majestically penetrated almost as far as the P spot, (I was going to lower the tone there to put off more POTMs awarded for good scribbling instead of dribbling before realising the folly of that plan). On with the story, after all the stick is mightier than the pen as Chris “the howitzer” Perry proved whilst barraging aerials that probably connected Adie to his brace of goals and a passing fleet of pigeons on a day out from Prestwich. As Ben saved another exceptional drag flick dinging off the post and the lines were cleared in an interminable tussle and Jag picked the ball in a 3 on 1 attack and Si intercepted brilliantly the midfield pressure began to ease. They began to tire as our youth policy of Joe and G and Nathan and Jonny stretched the old pros. At first begrudgingly then with increasing alacrity they began to smile and almost revel in being turned over by a seemingly superior force; I’d never seen anything like it. I guess when you are already champs all you can add is magnanimity in defeat and they certainly showed the way.  
If our front pair were imaginative and tireless, the midfield were industrious and creative and the foundation upon which this is all built, the final four, well, they were as courageous and composed as ever- albeit an amazingly out of position Duncan also managed to pop up on the right post to poke in yet another of his now trademark “pinball” goals, sealing our victory 4-2.  
A fitting end to a great day out made sweeter still by the courtesy of Pelicans and, I feel, a great year for the fourth division in this game played out by the tribes of Anglia even if we celebrate nothing much more than the passing of the baton between generations in our penultimate game of the season. Joe and my thanks to you all, true. 
 
 

MENS 6TH XI - 23/03/2019 VS NORWICH EXILES 1     (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 6th XI 
DATE: 23/03/2019 
FIXTURE: Mens 6th XI VS 23/03/2019 
HEADLINE: Great result 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 5 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Taverham  
RESULT: won 6-3 
 
REPORT: This was one of the best games of the season, everyone played really well which resulted in us beating our local rivals and made up for the loss we suffered earlier in the season. 
My thanks to everyone who has helped me organise the team this year.  
 

COLTS XI - 24/03/2019 VS SEVENOAKS (H) 
 
TEAM: Colts XI 
DATE: 24/03/2019 
FIXTURE: Colts XI VS 24/03/2019 
HEADLINE: NCHC under 14 Boys seal win to Nationals 
LEAGUE: National Cup 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT:2-1 win 
 
REPORT: Sevenoaks had won all their qualifying group fixtures and were expected to be the toughest opponents that the Norwich City under 14s would face in there regional finals. Despite the fact that Norwich only needed a draw to qualify for the national finals and Sevenoaks required a win it was Norwich who started the fastest creating a couple of early chances before taking the lead through a short corner. Toby Pallister beat a couple of players at the top of the D before clipping a backhand shot past the keeper for Henry Baker to tap in.  
 
Although Sevenoaks did pose a threat down the flanks Archie Ward, Krishan Patel, Cameron Hansell and Farren Miller prevented them from creating an real chances. Norwich through Max Wilson, Ollie Millett and Jack Whitlam continued to threaten. Norwich extended their lead through a well struck Sam Hyatt short corner.  
 
Sevenaoks now chasing the game pulled one back with a couple of minutes to go and might have equalized if Will Farrow in the City goal had not pulled off an incredible stick save.  
 
The City boys are now looking forward to playing the other top sides in the country at Reading Hockey Club on the 11th May.  
 
 

COLTS XI - 24/03/2019 VS BROMLEY & BECKENHAM (H) 
 
TEAM: Colts XI 
DATE: 24/03/2019 
FIXTURE: Colts XI VS 24/03/2019 
HEADLINE: Max Inspires City Win 
LEAGUE: National Cop Regional Finals 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT:2-1 win 
 
REPORT: In there second pool game against a Bromley and Beckenham the Norwich City under 14s took. The Norwich forwards of Max Marcus O'Sullivan, Jack Whitlam, Duncan Mallett and Ollie Millett pressed the Bromley defense hard all game. Their work and this pressure lead to Max Wilson intercepting a Bromley and Beckham 16 before driving into the D and calmly slipping the ball past the on-rushing keeper. 
 
City continued to dominate the game through the midfield work of Tom Ellis, Freddie Smith, James Cross and Henry Baker. They stretched their lead when Toby Pallister defected a James Cross shot/cross into the goal and could have sealed the match if the combination of keeper and post had not come to Bromley and Beckham's rescue following shots from James Cross, Marcus O'Sullivan and Toby Pallister.  
 
Bromley and Beckham scored through a short with under 5 minutes to go and then won a short corner with the final attack of the game. They moved the short corner right and fired at the goal. Sam Hyatt blocked the shot defecting the ball over the top of the goal. A draw v Sevenoaks would be enough to gain qualification to the National Finals. 
 
 

COLTS XI - 24/03/2019 VS IPSWICH & ES (H) 
 
TEAM: Colts XI 
DATE: 24/03/2019 
FIXTURE: Colts XI VS 24/03/2019 
HEADLINE: City start regionals with with win 
LEAGUE: Under 14 boys tier 1 Cup Regional 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT:4-0 win 
 
REPORT: Norwich started strongly against Ipswich and East Suffolk with Max Wilson and Freddie Smith causing havoc down the right hand side. They controlled the match through the passing ability of Sam Hyatt and James Cross but could not convert their early chances. Ipswich showed some threat on the break but it was tough for them as they had so little of the ball. Norwich took the lead just before halftime with a well struck Sam Hyatt shot from a short corner. 
 
Norwich continued to dominate after half time and extended the lead shortly after half time when Toby Pallister tapped in a James Cross strike. Ollie Miller added the third having taken up a great position at the far post and Henry Baker concluded the scoring with a powerful backhand shot. A good confidence building win.  
 
 

MENS DEVELOPMENT XI - 23/03/2019 VS HARLESTON MAGPIES (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens Development XI 
DATE: 23/03/2019 
FIXTURE: Mens Development XI VS 23/03/2019 
HEADLINE: Nkrumah double sets up Norwich City win 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Harleston 
RESULT: Harleston 1 v Norwich City 5 
 
REPORT: From the start of the match James Mckenzie and Sam Hancock dominated the Norwich City right hand side of the pitch creating a number of early chances, Norwich could easily have taken the lead before Harvey Nkrumah opened the scoring. Harvey reacted quickest, after a well struck Krishna Patel short corner strike was well saved by the Harleston keeper, to tap home from close range. 
 
Norwich continued to dominate with Ed Beake, Krishna Patel and Ollie Millett controlling the midfield. Any Harleston attacks were easily snuffed out by the impressive tacking of Lucas Hay, Farren Miller and Harry Kidner. On the rare occasions that Harleston managed to break through Will Jewers, in his first game for the developments, pulled off so significant saves. Ollie Millett extended the lead with a solo dribble and backhand shot.  
 
The second half continued to be dominated by Norwich; Harvey picked up his second before turning creator as setting one up for Louis Miller. Louis (who along with Harry Morgan was always dangerous) picked up a second goal. Magpies did manage to get a consolation goal through ex-Norwich city coached Harry Ford but by then the game had been won. A good performance from a talented group of Norwich players.