Results

LADIES 1ST XI - 24/02/2018 VS ST IVES 1 (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens 1st XI 
DATE: 24/02/2018 
FIXTURE: Womens 1st XI VS 24/02/2018 
HEADLINE:  
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 1 NORTH 
VENUE: 
RESULT: 
 
REPORT: 
 
Norwich started the game with pace and determination, storming the game from the off. Harriet Johnson and Ellie Pitcher made great attacks down the width creating space and opportunities for Norwich City. Great runs in midfield from Jocasta Staines and Alice Gill set up City’s first goal. With a swift run down the left, Alice slipped the ball to Olivia Williams in the D who slotted it in with a slick reverse shot.  
 
The game began to get even more exciting with Krystal Bishop narrowly missing the top left corner and a cross bar shot from Olivia Williams. But Bishop got her glorious goal after a great tackle and counter attack from Ellie Pitcher gave Krystal the space to wind up and smash the ball into the bottom left. Emily Francis and Abbie Ingham linked together seamlessly upfront, constantly making the goalkeeper’s life very difficult. But Summer Haylock showed her how it was done, with great clearances and crucial chat from the back. 
 
Even after Norwich had dominated the entire first half a quick attack from the opposition left City exposed and a lucky goal was conceded. City got their game faces on and worked relentlessly until half time came to give them a well earned break.  
 
As the second half started, countless tackles from Fongy Chung and Micayla Tootill kept St Ives from causing danger, while Abbie Ingham worked tirelessly D to D as City’s new utility player. Norwich City’s third goal came from a great free hit won by Jo Staines and a slip into the D which was deflected by Ellie Brine towards Olivia Williams who was ready on the post to tap in.  
 
Rachel Mayne and Angela Hindle won the ball time and time again and with great distribution created many chances for City.  
But City’s final goal came from a loose ball upfront leaving Ellie Brine with a 1v1 with less than a minute remaining. A penalty flick was won and stylishly slotted in by Micayla, hitting the backboard for the fourth and final time. Final score 4-1. 

LADIES 2ND XI - 24/02/2018 VS HARLESTON MAGPIES 3 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 2nd XI 
DATE: 24/02/2018 
FIXTURE: Womens 2nd XI VS 24/02/2018 
HEADLINE: Back to winning ways! 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 2 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: TRF 
RESULT: W2-1 
 
REPORT: 
Match report  
 
24.02.2018 vs Harleston Magpies 3 
 
A very chilly afternoon at TRF, the womens rallied together in the changing room for the pre-match team-talk (definitely only to delay having to step outside into the arctic temperatures, but we won’t tell anyone that).  
 
The start of the game saw rather end-to-end stuff, neither team particularly looking like they were going to break the deadlock. That said, hard work from the City midfield and forwards lead to some chances. 
 
Finally, a break came for city in the form of a penalty corner. A top injection from Rosie Humphrey gave Danni time to stop and strike the ball cleanly. On target, the ball took a fortunate deflection off a Harleston stick into the back of the net. City 1 - 0 Harleston. 
 
Harleston then dominated the rest of the half, and everyone on the City side worked their backsides off to block any potential chances their opponents won. Many penalty corners and many open play chances were blocked by some solid defending from Longy, Kathy, Megan and of course Serena too - who, might I add, made some epic saves to keep City in the game at various points.  
 
Half time came and Coach Chris gave some handy pointers of what to work on in the second half. Unfortunately, Harleston opened the scoring in the second half with an open-play goal. City 1 - 1 Harleston.  
 
The game stayed neutral for the majority of the rest of the second half, looking like a draw was going to be the result; however, with around 8 minutes left, Harleston conceded a penalty flick. Danni volunteered to take the flick and made the score line 2-1.  
 
The last minutes of the game saw city defend well and trying to keep possession of the ball by any means possible. I must say, the full-time whistle was like music to our ears! 
 
The game was a big credit to the whole team for working together, maintaining discipline in a frustrating game, communicating and helping each other out. 
 
Onwards and upwards again to a busy weekend of two league games next week. 
 
City 2 - 1 Harleston.  

LADIES 3RD XI - 24/02/2018 VS LODDON 1 (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens 3rd XI 
DATE: 24/02/2018 
FIXTURE: Womens 3rd XI VS 24/02/2018 
HEADLINE: Against all odds 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK PREMIER DIVISION 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Loddon 
RESULT: 1 - 2 (win) 
 
REPORT: 
With the bare minimum of players and a very early injury, NCHC womens 3s knew it was going to be a tough game from the off when they travelled to Loddon.  
 
Despite this, City were determined to do injured Holly Totten proud, with high intensity and strong defending skills from Fiona Spencer and Jenny Brine, who effectively stopped the Loddon attackers entering the Norwich D. Keeping up their game, City managed to convert a goal from some silky skills by Rachael Phillips, who passed to scorer Sophia Basset, perfectly positioned on the P spot. 
 
The second half saw City further controlling their 0-1 lead with numerous transfers and short corners and lovely through-balls from Emily Spencer. Sophie Harrad scored from a short corner, making City now 0-2 up. The visitors managed to keep the majority of the possession but, with a few minutes left, Loddon scored from a quick free hit, which woke the defenders up. 
 
The final score was 2-1 after a well-fought, tiring game. The whole team should be proud of their hard-work and showed great endurance.  

LADIES 4TH XI - 24/02/2018 VS DEREHAM 3 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 4th XI 
DATE: 24/02/2018 
FIXTURE: Womens 4th XI VS 24/02/2018 
HEADLINE: Honours shared in evenly matched game 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK PREMIER DIVISION 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE:TRF 
RESULT:2-2 
 
REPORT: 
On Saturday the Norwich City Womens 4’s played Dereham Womens 3. The team played well with the defenders making some fantastic tackles as well as using the transfer effectively. The inners worked hard to move the ball up the pitch, working back tirelessly when the Dereham side counter attacked, even when we only had one sub. The forwards also made good runs, using the wings and strings of passes to bring the ball up the pitch.  
 
The score was 2-2 and the two goal scorers were Ellie and Emma.  
 
Match Report kindly provided by well deserved POTM, Annabel Pounder. 
 

LADIES 6TH XI - 24/02/2018 VS HORNETS 1 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 6th XI 
DATE: 24/02/2018 
FIXTURE: Womens 6th XI VS 24/02/2018 
HEADLINE: Decisive City win moves 6s out of relegation zone 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK LEAGUE DIVISION 2 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Taverham  
RESULT: 7-1 
This was a game that City 6s needed to win to stay out of the relegation zone. Hornets were promoted this season and are struggling to stay in div two, so there would be no excuses for conceding points to them.  
City came out fighting, keeping the ball in their attacking 25 for most of the match and taking most of the possession. From the start, City repeatedly attacked Hornet’s goal and it looked more a matter of when they would score rather than whether they would.  
The first goal soon came when centre forward Jess Ball netted a reverse hit. More City goals followed and by half time the score was 3:1 to Norwich with Hornets unfortunately getting the ball in behind the City defense to a high forward after a powerful 16.  
 
The second half saw four more city goals with Fran Underhill, Maddy Smith and Liz Hollis all on the score sheet by the final whistle. 
 
Hornets battled hard and were impressively agreeable and positive as a team despite being under siege from City 6s. Hornets moved most of their players into the defensive D to protect their goal leaving no players in midfield and just two players high.  
 
However, with powerful 16s and a skilled high forward, they didn't make it easy for City. Playing a long ball game they sent repeated hard hits to a high attacker but most of these were mopped up by a high City press apart from one which had found the net in the first half.  
 
A much- needed win that should see City staying out of relegation position with just a few games left until the end of the season.  
 
The final score was 7-1 to City.  
 
 

MENS 1ST XI - 25/02/2018 VS DEREHAM (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 1st XI 
DATE: 25/02/2018 
FIXTURE: Mens 1st XI VS 25/02/2018 
HEADLINE: Norwich City claim first win over local rivals for many years 
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION B 
VENUE: Dereham 
RESULT: 4-2 
 
REPORT: 
Looking to take two wins from a double header weekend, City 1st XI took a 14 strong side to Dereham, with plenty of composure up front and pace in the wingbacks. The sky was clear, the air fresh and the temperature frostbite-y. 
 
The match started well for Norwich City, attacking well to create chances, while restricting Dereham's opportunities to go forward. Luke Hobson started in a particularly lively fashion on the left of defence, causing the opposition issues in attack and defence. The pressure paid off after about 15 minutes, Luke Corden scoring a lovely deflection high into the net. 
 
City kept the pressure on, and an attack down the right hand side of the pitch led to a perfectly weighted cross from Richard Shapland that deceived the defence, turned in by Stuart Wardle by way of a perfectly weighted shot that deceived the goalkeeper. Demons buried for the striker, City 0-2 up, and the Dereham players were starting to bite back at the umpires and each other.  
 
Half time meant inspiration from the motivation men and Jonesy senior on the touch line taking a warning for just loving Norwich City Hockey Club too much. City picked up where the 1st half ended, with strong attacking play from Ed Sutton on the right in particular. Dereham squeaked a goal back to make it 1-2 with a short angled penalty corner beating Ali Cooke, after Luke Hobson produced a Poldark inspired attempted tackle to see yellow and the bench for 5 minutes. City responded well to restore a two goal lead: a Luke Corden cross from the left taking a touch off Stuart Wardle and falling to Jeremy Elliott to tuck away. 1-3. 
 
After some more strong hockey, solid defense and distribution from Thomas Cooke, a penalty corner was made harder with an early break from Nick Jones. Defensive mix ups and Thomas Cooke running just 0.8 out of the number 1 run meant another Dereham goal, 2-3. Once again the response was effective from the yellows, MOTM Luke Corden book-ending the scoring in from of his adoring mother; 4-2 final score. 
 
2 wins from 2 in an important weekend for the promotion push. 
 

MENS 1ST XI - 24/02/2018 VS WAPPING 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 1st XI 
DATE: 24/02/2018 
FIXTURE: Mens 1st XI VS 24/02/2018 
HEADLINE: Norwich City win vital match in promotion battle 
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION B 
VENUE: TRF 
RESULT: 1-0 
 
REPORT: 
Norwich City received Wapping 2 for an extremely important match in the race for promotion. After a disappointing result in the reverse fixture during the first half of the season Norwich City were pumped and raring to go, ready to try and get some revenge!  
 
The match started off at high tempo with both teams having some chances early on with Norwich creating some good scoring opportunities, earning a couple short corners, and Wapping hitting the post off a save from Alastair Cooke. After a strong prolonged period of play in Wapping's final third Norwich won another corner through a bit of good stick work from Nick Jones. Dave Skinner then converted the short corner with a low drag flick to the bottom left corner. Wapping then had a period of play in Norwich's final third with a number of long corners in a row, but Norwich managed to hold them at bay with some fantastic defensive work through the center back pairing of Tom Cooke and Harry Brown and the half ended 1-0 to Norwich. 
 
After half time the match continued in much the same fashion with both teams creating a number of chances through good play creating an exciting hockey match. Wapping 2 countering extremely well and Norwich applying the pressure with brilliant patient build up play controlled by the midfield and outside backs. The best chance of the second half came when Norwich should have made it 2-0 following a fast break resulting in Stu Wardle being one on one with the keeper with two defenders on his tail and Chris Wardale in support. Stu executed a classic stick over move to take the keeper out of the game, but the defenders had managed to get in behind the keeper and stuck in two minds between shooting and passing to Chris Wardale he passed the ball wide of both. The match then heated up with a couple of players from both teams getting cards - of particular note was a perhaps match saving foul when MOTM Luke Hobson cynically brought a stop to a Wapping counter attack with one minute on the clock remaining. This opened up the match with lots of extra space on the pitch. Norwich managed to remain in control and ended off deserved winners at 1-0 with a fantastic team effort and clean sheet. 

MENS 3RD XI - 24/02/2018 VS BURY ST EDMUNDS 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 24/02/2018 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 24/02/2018 
HEADLINE: City another 3 points closer to Division 2!  
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Taverham - Sand 
RESULT: 6-1  
 
REPORT: 
Well after a couple of recent defeats in the league City 3s were looking to return to winning ways with a home game against Bury 2s who were compiled of youth and experience. City had a strong squad of 14 with Chris Perry returning to strenghen up the defence as well as a call up for Matthew Brine.  
 
City started strong and dominated the ball early on, however despite City's ball retention they struggled to create any real half chances, Bury did however put one good move together and forced a save from Jake Aisthorpe. City continued to dominate the play and started to create chances with Mark Fletcher, Lloyd Sayer and Rees Leonard all having efforts wide.  
 
City did finally take the lead when Rees Leonard converted a PC low into the corner of the goal. City's 2nd goal came from Matthew Brine stole the ball high up the field and drove at the GK to then play in Mark Fletcher who had a easy finish. The 3rd goal came from another PC just before half time when Perry played a great ball to Joe K who finished low into the corner.  
 
After the break City focused on keeping the ball and playing wide into the channels. Despite a strong start from Bury, City added a fourth goal from a PC with Matthew Brine placing the ball between the keepers legs. A fifth goal came when Adam Sayer played a great ball into Mark Fletcher who turned and fired a low shot past the keeper.  
 
City continued to look good for the rest of the half, with Matthew Brine finishing off a great move involing both Leonards with a great finish round the keeper and into the goal. At 6-0 skipper Ling stepped up into midfield and despite having two shots his presence was obviously missed at the back as City managed to concede the last goal of the game. FT 6-1 
 
A great win for the team but more important a good performance. Next week a big one away to Dragons, at least this away game is only down the road! 
 

MENS 4TH XI - 24/02/2018 VS IES 2 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 4th XI 
DATE: 24/02/2018 
FIXTURE: Mens 4th XI VS 24/02/2018 
HEADLINE: Match Postponed 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: IES 
RESULT:P:P 
 
REPORT: Match Postponed due to frozen pitch 
 

MENS DEVELOPMENT XI - 24/02/2018 VS WATTON (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens Development XI 
DATE: 24/02/2018 
FIXTURE: Mens Development XI VS 24/02/2018 
HEADLINE: Keeper misses hat trick! 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Watton 
RESULT: NCHC 6-0 Watton 
 
REPORT: 
Watton is a great club that has entered a boys development team in the league for the first time this year which is fantastic for Norfolk Devs Hockey but does mean that they are at present one of the weaker teams in the league. With that in mind City deliberately played a number of players out of their normal positions including playing one of our goal keepers, Will Morrissey as a forward. 
 
As expected City dominated the game but were indebted to the outfield keeper to score the only goal of a somewhat disjointed first half. True there were some excellent passing moves but the finishing left a lot to be desired with short corner and open play shots frequently going just high and or just wide! Whilst a number of players almost got too carried away with scoring wonder goals, Angus “Goosie” Irving and Krishna Patel were notable in their calmness and ability to keep the game simple....to telling effect! 
 
A half time score of 1-0 hardly representative of City’s dominance (and could have been 1-1 had not a rare Watton break not been thwarted by last ditched defending from Sam Hyatt and a covering Jonty Black). 
 
The second half was much more pleasing to the eye, with one-twos, passing and moving on and off the ball and a general desire to retain possession. Will Morrissey extended his tally to two when he made it 2-0 and Jonty Black made it 3-0, finishing off an excellent move down the right (Sam Hyatt, Henry Baker, Oliver Millett) with a simple tap in. With the substitutions and positional changes occurring every couple of minutes it was very pleasing to see the team play some genuinely good hockey: Oliver Millett previously known for his pace produced some excellent and well timed tackles, and Jack Whitlam and Archie Ward produced some great one-twos in midfield and again on the front line. 
 
The Goosie, Jack, Jonty combination on the left was balanced by the Henry, Oliver, Sam combination down the right. Corey Rushton made it 4-0 before Jonty added a couple, and thereby completing his hat trick, before a final short corner provided a glorious opportunity for Will to complete his own hat trick from the final short corner. Sadly, he pushed his shot centimetres wide of the right hand postpone. 
 
In such a one sided game I’d just like to thank Will Farrow in goal (we all know keepers are an essential part of the game and often the difference between winning and losing) for staying focused despite never touching the ball in freezing conditions (and retaining his humour), and to the players that took turns in defence - Krishna, Ethan, Henry, Sam and Corey. 
 
Jonty (for his hat trick), Will Morrissey (the keeper who didn’t quite get a hat trick) and Krishna (for staying focused and mostly keeping things simple) were all contenders, my man of the match for just doing the basics really well, tracking back and keeping passes accurate and simple was Goosie.