Results

WOMENS 1ST XI - 25/03/2018 VS LINDUM (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 1st XI 
DATE: 25/03/2018 
FIXTURE: Womens 1st XI VS 25/03/2018 
HEADLINE: Norwich City Womens progress to the England Hockey Cup semi finals 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 1 NORTH 
VENUE: TRF 
RESULT: 1-0 
 
REPORT: 
Norwich City womens welcomed Lindum HC to TRF for their quarter finals clash last Sunday. Norwich were feeling pumped and raring to go following a successful run so far in their cup campaign. With the end of the season yet to finish and with a chance of promotion back to East Prem within City’s grasp coach Pies and the squad were clear on their aims. 
From the whistle City had the majority of the possession making some great runs and linking play between the midfield and forward lines whilst goal keeper Summer’s defensive unit of Fongy, Dani, Flick, Harriet and Suzy kept Lindums occasional break aways at bay. After 15 minutes of play and some great team work around Lindums D Micayla stepped up and with her second touch of the match calmly slotted the ball away, 1-0. Lindum kept their attacks coming and had several short corners before half time but to no avail.  
The second half was a nervous one with continued hard work from the midfielders of Jo, Alice, Abbie, Georgia and Micayla. There were several opportunities on goal made by the forward line of Oli, Milly, Krystal and Ellie however Lindum’s keeper kept them from adding to the score sheet. The last 10 minutes were gritty with both teams wanting to get a result. Lindum made several counter attacks resulting in a flurry of short corners but none were successful thanks to some well timed clearances from City’s defence. Final score 1-0 to City. Norwich now advance to the semi finals to face Oxford HC Womens. Can they go all the way to the final? Anything is possible!  
 
POM - Suzy Mitchell 

WOMENS 3RD XI - 24/03/2018 VS NORWICH DRAGONS 5 (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens 3rd XI 
DATE: 24/03/2018 
FIXTURE: Womens 3rd XI VS 24/03/2018 
HEADLINE: Nine times the charm 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK PREMIER DIVISION 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Dragons Den (A) 
RESULT: 0-9 (W) 
 
REPORT: Dragons womens 5s hosted Norwich City's 3s, but not even the home advantage could stop a goal fest by the visitors. City immediately put pressure on the Dragon’s side, effectively transferring the ball around the back, to drive up the wings and into the D. The first of nine goals was put away by centre half Ellyn Roberts in a successful short corner. She was then joined on the score sheet by Annabel Pounder and Olivia Greenway, who scored two before the half time whistle let the hosts regroup.  
 
But Olivia was on a roll, and scored two more in the opening of the second half. Olivia's sister and fellow striker Emily Greenway was next to score as City took total charge. Annabel then added to her own tally of two, before Jenni Stangham closed the scoring with a fantastic individual goal, making it 0-9 to City. It was a game that reflected the league positions, with City sitting second and Dragon's 5 at the bottom. The visitors showed their worth with strong passing, constant attack and successful defending against any chances.  
 

MENS 1ST XI - 25/03/2018 VS WALTHAM FOREST (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 1st XI 
DATE: 25/03/2018 
FIXTURE: Mens 1st XI VS 25/03/2018 
HEADLINE: City seal win with bare 11 
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION B 
VENUE: Walthamstow Academy 
RESULT: 5-2 
 
REPORT: 
 
After a long trip down to North London, we turned up with only 11 to find a rather different pitch to what we were used to, but did that faze us? Yes, for the first few minutes anyway, then we settled down and played some good hockey, easily shipping it round the back and controlling the game for the most part. However, our early dominance didn't pay off, as we found ourselves 1-0 down through a penalty corner. After a number of chances for both teams, the equalizer came through another PC, after seeing the same routine fall wide a minute earlier, this time Cookie found the backboard from a slap at the top. Towards the end of the half we found ourselves more on the back foot and the back four and GK Ben Millett were being increasingly tested. We couldn’t hold out until half time though, as another PC was our downfall. Half time 2-1 down but overall positive. 
 
Second half we definitely became more clinical. Lightning struck twice in quick succession as Tapin banged in two brilliant reverses, both pretty much identical from the top of the D. However, these were backed up by two pretty poor celebrations. 3-2. Between the goals though, City found themselves down to 10 as Gabs reacted badly to an umpiring decision. This didn’t stop us though, as we scored Tapin’s second whilst 1 man down. Shortly after it was 4-2, after good play down the right wing, the ball found itself in front of Stu Wardle, who placed it into an open net with ease. The last goal completed Tapin’s hat trick; after some Barcalona-esk passing down the right between Stu Wardle and Tapin, the ball fell to the latter near the top, who buried it into the bottom corner, again followed by a questionable celebration. The game sealed, City started to tire, but were egged on by a supportive Nick Jones, who had just stepped off a plane but unfortunately didn’t arrive early enough to play in the game. Player of the match went to Ben Millett, who on his league debut produced some decent saves to keep the game in City’s favour. 

MENS DEVELOPMENT XI - 27/03/2018 VS NORWICH DRAGONS A (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens Development XI 
DATE: 27/03/2018 
FIXTURE: Mens Development XI VS 27/03/2018 
HEADLINE: City edge top of the table clash 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT: NCHC Devs 1-0 Dragons A 
 
REPORT: 
For the third time in four meeting between the league’s top two City emerged victorious in a close hard fought encounter. 
 
City started very brightly with their midefield (Angus Irving, Joseph Roy, Henry Baker, Jonty Black and Harry Mackenzie) stringing a host of fast passing moves together that threatened to tear the visitor’s apart. This dynamic midfield play was supported by some very intelligent running and passing from the forward line of Sam Hyatt, Freddie Paterson and Mattie Roy. Despite a string of well defended penalty corners the Dragons defence held firm.  
 
Having defended the onslaught it was then Dragons turn to enjoy some sustained pressure which Krishna Patel, Archie Ward and the omnipresent Joseph Roy dealt with calm assurity. Dragons then forced a number of penalty corners that City’s defended well, with Will Farrow making a number of good saves. Then it was back down the other end as City again gained the ascendancy with Ed Blake making his debut at this level and Will Morrissey enjoying a run around on the forward line. 
 
After a breathless first half City again started the second well with a number of excellent moves notably involving Angus Irving on the left and Henry Baker on the right linking up with Freddie Paterson on the forward line. It was fitting that a delightful midfield move released Freddie in the inside right channel allowing Freddie to drive into the D, he then took it wide right (too far right as far as the coach was concerned) only to crash the ball into the opposite bottom corner. 1-0 (and just goes to show how much or how little the coach knows!!!). 
 
Dragons then pushed for the equaliser with Archie, Krishna, Sam, Joseph and Henry pivotal in the defensive cause. The pendulum swung again with Harry and Jonty combining well with Henry, Joseph and Angus to counter attack through the ever willing and constant threat of Mattie and Freddie. A glorious penalty corner move full of crisp one-twos so nearly doubled the lead. With Dragons relying on crash balls City’s defence held firm to record a hard fought but well-deserved victory. 
 
In a match with so many excellent performances it was a toss up for man of the match with Henry Baker ultimately winning the award.