Results

LADIES 1ST XI - 24/09/2016 VS IPSWICH 1 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 1st XI 
DATE: 24/09/2016 
FIXTURE: Womens 1st XI VS 24/09/2016 
HEADLINE: City's 1s taste defeat in 1st home game 
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION 
VENUE: Taverham - H20 
RESULT: 1-4 Loss 
 
REPORT: 
 
The 1st XI had a tough game on their hands as they entertained ex national league team Ipswich womens 1s at Taverham, up for the challenge the 1s battled hard throughout the game and put on a strong display in front of a decent crowd. Some good saves from Summer Haylock kept the 1s in the game before a top of the d strike found the net for a 1-0 led for the away side. City 1s then started to create some chances and started to break away onto the Ipswich defence, an excellent pass from Debs Painter found an unmarked Olivia Williams who finished well past the keeper. 1-1. Sadly just before the break a short corner goal managed to find the corner as the away side led again.  
 
In the 2nd half City continued to battle hard against this strong team but without reward as Ipswich went onto score two further goals and kill the game as they sealed a 4-1 victory. Next week the 1s are away to familiar grounds at they face Wisbech who they played last season in Division 1N.  
 

LADIES 2ND XI - 24/09/2016 VS NORWICH CITY 4 (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens 2nd XI 
DATE: 24/09/2016 
FIXTURE: Womens 2nd XI VS 24/09/2016 
HEADLINE: Second Inter-Club Match. 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK PREMIER DIVISION 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT: Won 6-1 
 
REPORT: 
The womens 2’s faced their second inter club match within two weeks. High expectations had been set, winning all their pre-season matches bar a narrow loss to a team two leagues above. Riding high on last weeks triumphant win the seconds were out to secure those next 3 points. 
 
The Womens 4’s put up a tough fight and gave the 2’s a run for their money especially within the first 10 mins, making it hard work. 
Play continued, after some early high presses the front 5 piled on the pressure, Milly Brown and Elle Brine had a surge of sweeping balls across the goal mouth but unfortunately they couldn't find a way through. We were making headway and the run of play was in the oppositions end for most of the first half. The first goal eventually came from Kate Hartland, she took an early ball at the top of the ‘D’ and finally we hit the back board. We now had to keep the momentum going and work even harder to maintain the lead. Shortly after we were rewarded with goal number two from Rosie Humphrey who received a ball across the face of the goal and pushed it in passed the keeper to make it 2-0 before half time. 
 
Half time came and with a few words of encouragement from coach Ali Wardale, we were off again with 35mins left to hammer some more home. We expected the Womens 4’s to come out hard in the second half and we were not disappointed a short corner was awarded - but we kept it clear. Play continued pretty evenly in the second half with some good transfers and great ball distribution from the defence namely, Becki Gaffney, Karren Dagless and Megan Conway through to Ange Hindle in the middle. The 4’s hit back with a long ball through to Holly Robinson who was lurking dangerously in the ‘D’, Holly pulled goalkeeper Serena Scott off her line, slipped it through to Mollae Scott to make it 2-1.  
The pressure was on to keep possession until the final whistle, the 2's got their head down and within 10mins we made the game our own with two goals in quick succession form Emily Rash and a further one from Kate Hartland, we were now 4-1 and the end was in sight. 
There was an opportunity for Kate Hartland to grab her hat trick and she didn't let us down with a cheeky little pass from Elle Brine it was in the bag making it 5-1. Well done Kate first  
hat-trick of the season! In the last few minutes our final goal came from a sweet piece of team work allowing Ellie Brine to get her name on the score board - final score 6-1.  
Congratulations girls! Two games in, 13 goals on the scoreboard and top of the table. 
 
Player of the Match - Emily Rash. 

LADIES 3RD XI - 24/09/2016 VS NORWICH DRAGONS 4 (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens 3rd XI 
DATE: 24/09/2016 
FIXTURE: Womens 3rd XI VS 24/09/2016 
HEADLINE: And we're off... 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK PREMIER DIVISION 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: DRAGONS DEN 
RESULT: 0-4 (W) 
 
REPORT: 
After last weeks exhausting interclub fixture, NCHC Womens 3s were excited to take on newly promoted Dragons 4s. Having beaten them several weeks earlier in a pre-season friendly, City were confident that they could achieve 3 points here and were determined to work hard to earn them. 
 
After a rousing team talk from Coach Debbie Bryant, City started well with strong passing, and it wasn’t long before Jenni Stanghan found a Dragons foot in the opposition D, winning the first of several early short corner attempts. Despite their well drilled routines, City were unable to convert any of these, and it wasn’t until Emily Greenway slapped the ball from a narrow angle past the keeper when City took the lead. 
 
With new recruit Rachael Cave working hard in Centre Midfield, there were a number of close attempts on the Dragons goal, with offerings from Abi Bourne and Anna Brooke, but some neat passing around the top of the D from Alice Beckett and Liv Greenway resulted in Caroline Illing getting a tap-in on the near post. A quickly taken long corner then saw Grace Kidner slap the ball hard from just inside the D, making a resounding “thud” on the Dragons backboard, putting City 3-0 up at half time. 
 
The second half saw a re-invigorated Dragons team ramp up the pressure, but Gemma Sargent and Kirstin Aitken were able to mop up most break-away balls, with Goal Keeper Edie Mason making a couple of reassuring saves. Jenny Brine and Phoebe York worked hard to get the ball back up to the forward line, and when the ball was sent air-born in front of the Dragons Goal, Emily Greenway was able to tap it over the keepers pads, making the final score 4-0 to City. 
 
Player of the Match deservedly went to Rachael Cave for her work rate and superb distribution of the ball. 
 
 

LADIES 4TH XI - 24/09/2016 VS NORWICH CITY 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 4th XI 
DATE: 24/09/2016 
FIXTURE: Womens 4th XI VS 24/09/2016 
HEADLINE:  
LEAGUE: NORFOLK PREMIER DIVISION 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE:TRF 
RESULT:1-6 
REPORT: 
After last week's great performance away to Magpies, we knew we had a chance to give the 2s some good competition.  
The match started strongly as we worked well as a team to retain possession of the ball, with lots of good defending. However, the 2s scored 2 goals in the later part of the first half and at half time the score was 2-0. This was followed by a great goal from Mollae Scott for the 4's soon into the second half. The hot weather and the lack of substitutes made it much harder for the 4's but everyone kept going to the final whistle. The final score was 6-1 to the 2s, however everyone in the 4s team should be pleased with their outstanding performance and great team work..  
 
Match Report kindly provided by POTM Lydia Ellis-Baumber 

LADIES 5TH XI - 24/09/2016 VS LOWESTOFT RAILWAY 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 5th XI 
DATE: 24/09/2016 
FIXTURE: Womens 5th XI VS 24/09/2016 
HEADLINE: Norwich Womens 5th team 8 North Norfolk 2nd team 0 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK LEAGUE DIVISION 2 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: 
RESULT: 
 
REPORT: Nowich City 5th team took a squad of 15 to Cromer to play North Norfolk 2nd team. Norwich City took a while to get going and look any kind of threat to North Norfolk. North Norfolk took some early attacks but were prevented in scoring due to the solid mature defence of Norwich City including Karen Hobden and Allison Mcllenan. Norwich City soon found their rhythm and by half time both Sophia and Amelia had scored making the the half time score 2-0. 
 
The second half saw Sophia Bassett score 3 further goals together with Amelia Barclay scoring a further 2 and Emily Spencer scoring a deflected straight strike shot from a short corner. The end score was an amazing 8-0 win to Norwich City. Charlotte Gundry had a great game today attacking skilfully down the right side together with Ellie Hobden they supported the goalscorers passing particularly well around the attacking circle. 
 
Another great win keeping the womens 5th team top of the league. 
 
 

LADIES 6TH XI - 24/09/2016 VS PELICANS 3 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 6th XI 
DATE: 24/09/2016 
FIXTURE: Womens 6th XI VS 24/09/2016 
HEADLINE: First win of the season 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK LEAGUE DIVISION 2 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT: 3-2 (Win) 
REPORT: 
 
First half - After 20 minutes of end-to-end play Pelicans opened the score sheet. Just minutes later the game was even at one-all after a city ball by Julia Marchant across the D resulted in an own goal deflection from the visitors. Norwich City 6s continued to press hard threatening the visitors’ goal several times with near misses by Anna Linsmith and Sharon Phillips. Then, close to the half-time whistle, Liz Hollis slotted the ball behind Pelican’s keeper during a goal-mouth scramble - taking Norwich into the lead. 
 
Second half Pelicans came out fighting in the second half but failed to convert their chances. Norwich added to their lead when Julia Marchant deftly netted the ball from a short corner. Pelicans worked hard to get back in the game and scored again with just seconds to go before the final whistle. An excellent team performance and first win of the season. 
 
POM – Milly Hyatt in her GK debut Womens 6th XI 
 
Match report provided by Liz Hollis 
 
 
 

LADIES 7TH XI - 24/09/2016 VS HARLESTON MAGPIES 7 (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens 7th XI 
DATE: 24/09/2016 
FIXTURE: Womens 7th XI VS 24/09/2016 
HEADLINE: Tough opening day for City 7s 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK LEAGUE DIVISION 3 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Harleston 
RESULT: 7-1 LOSS 
 
REPORT: 
The new look Back to Hockey Womens 7s team had a tough start to the season as they lost 7-1 away to Harleston with Sarah Smith scoring City's goal.  
 

LADIES DEVELOPMENT XI - 24/09/2016 VS LOWESTOFT RAILWAY (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens Development XI 
DATE: 24/09/2016 
FIXTURE: Womens Development XI VS 24/09/2016 
HEADLINE: City make it 2 from 2 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: East Point Academy 
RESULT: 5-0 Conceded Win 
 
REPORT: 
Lowestoft Railway couldn't raise a team and conceded the game as City's Devs won 5-0.  

MENS 1ST XI - 25/09/2016 VS SPALDING (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 1st XI 
DATE: 25/09/2016 
FIXTURE: Mens 1st XI VS 25/09/2016 
HEADLINE: City Cup run begins 
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION B 
VENUE: Taverham recreational facility 
RESULT: won 4-0 
 
REPORT: City faced Spalding in the EH Cup for the second time in 2 seasons on Sunday, wanting to make up for a disappointing result away at Old Southedians the previous day. With a number of players unavailable City drafted the Ben Plumb, Tom Hindle and Stu Wardle from the second team to give themselves the option to rotate players and keep the squad fresh. The game started well for City and after a couple of attacks in the opening minutes they won a short corner with only 5 minutes on the clock. Chris Wardale converted with ease, firing a drag flick into the top right hand corner. City doubled their lead less than 10 minutes later when Tom Cox's hunger and doggedness earned the home side a penalty stroke, and when Wardale stepped up again he gave the keeper no chance, flicking hard into the left side of the goal. Norwich's solid start set them in good stead as Spalding began to create a few chances of their own but Alastair Cooke stood firm in the City goal. Tom Hindle extended the home sides lead before halftime, playing a 35 yard 1-2 with Thomas Cooke, before smashing into the bottom corner to give Norwich a 3 goal lead at half time. The second half was much the same as the first half with City continuing to create lots of chances, however it took City nearly half an hour to add to their tally and round off the scoring, Ben Plumb doing some excellent work to get into the circle, only for the Spalding keeper just to nick the ball off him as Plumb attempted to beat him. The keeper was however unable to clear the ball effectively and Dave Skinner rushed onto the ball to forced home a fourth, unfortunately over stretching in the process and injuring a hamstring. 
 
Final score 4-0 to city, who advance to the next round and will find out early in the week which regional side they will face next. 
 

MENS 1ST XI - 24/09/2016 VS OLD SOUTHENDIAN (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 1st XI 
DATE: 24/09/2016 
FIXTURE: Mens 1st XI VS 24/09/2016 
HEADLINE: City stumble by the sea 
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION B 
VENUE: Old Southendian H C 
RESULT: lost 0-4 
 
REPORT: Norwich City made the long trip down to Southend-on-sea to play one of last years promoted sides from division 1. The visitors warm up and pre-game routine was disrupted by the umpires being held up in traffic on not turning up until the designated start time, but this should have given City ample time to prepare and get the long journey out of their legs. The game started fairly evenly with both teams venturing forwards, although neither team really tested the oppositions goalkeeper. Alastiar Cooke was called into action a couple of times during the first half but was never truly trouble and City managed to create a number of there own attacks, reaching the baseline several times, but the final passes didn't quite connect and the game looked like it was headed to halftime with the score still at 0-0. However with less than a minute remaining in the first half the home side were awarded a short corner and a powerful drag flick snuck past Cooke in goal and over the goal line.  
 
At halftime City knew they were far from out of the game, but they would need to raise their level if they wanted to get back into it. Unfortunately this didn't happen and midway through the second half they found themselves a further goal down after squandering a number of good chances to get them back on level terms. With only a few minutes left on the clock Thomas Cooke was adjudged to half committed a stick tackle worthy of a yellow card inside the 23m, and from the resulting short corner Old Southendians extended their lead, deflecting in from outside the right post. Only a couple of minutes later the home side scored a carbon copy to really put the nail in the coffin for City.  
 

MENS 2ND XI - 24/09/2016 VS CAMBRIDGE CITY 3 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 2nd XI 
DATE: 24/09/2016 
FIXTURE: Mens 2nd XI VS 24/09/2016 
HEADLINE: Norwich City 2’s vs Cambridge City 3’s 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 1 
VENUE: TRF 
RESULT: NCHC 3-6 CCHC  
 
 
 
 
REPORT: 
City lined up for their first home game of the season after a baptism of fire away at Bishop Stortford on their return to division 1. With greater availability this week the side bore more resemblance to the squad that won division 2 so dramatically on the last game of the season six months ago. Crichton, Pallister, Duffy and Plumb returned whilst Millett stepped in to make his league debut in goal. Playford and Ingham Jr dropped down whilst Marshall starts a fresh period of recovery with his back injury. Shearer and Silvester dropped to the bench whilst the pack reshuffled and captain Hindle moved into a centre forward role. This coincided with the launch of the nickname ‘Fatan’ although it is unknown whether that was anything to do with his position on the pitch….. 
In hot conditions the game was played at a frantic pace throughout with City making use of frequent substitutions and trying to spread the play across the pitch. Unfortunately whilst that strategy worked well throughout the game City were outclassed for the second week in a row on short corners and would go on to concede five in the match whilst scoring none themselves. Both first half goals came from the same script with the one short corner finding the top corner and the next being deflected in off Shearer’s stick as he attempted to charge it down. City replied through their captain as Hindle smashed the ball home from the right hand side of the D after good work from Plumb and Silvster.  
Spirits were high at half time as City realised how well they had played through large patches of the first half and had created much the better of the chances. Shearer in particular was finding space to overlap from right half with good movement from all of the forwards. That enthusiasm was damped as Cambridge extended their lead early in the second half through another familiar short corner set up as city were caught out defensively after positive attacks. Those attacks brought several chances for city and some players were guilty of poor decision making in the final third. City persisted however and were quickly back into the game through another well taken Hindle goal, this time from the left hand side of the D. At this point City looked strong and well on track to take something from the game but a cruel sequence of events took the game out of the reach of City.  
With City down to 10 temporarily after a green card for Scott, Shearer inadvertently deflected the ball towards his own goal after the Cambridge forward had miscued his own shot at the back post. Millett seemingly perplexed by the double deflection froze as the ball slowly rolled into the far corner as defender and keeper starred motionless at each other. After that another clinical short corner finish and a second via another deflection took the game out of the reach of city. Scott compounded his thanks for coming vote by upgrading his green card to a yellow card as city toiled away without any help from the officials. Ben Plumb did pick up a consolation goal for city in the final minutes but despite matching their opponents throughout, City came away with nothing on a 6-3 loss.  
A disappointing result but a positive performance for the second week in a row with six goals to show from two matches but eight conceded from short corners. Shearer picked up the man of the match award after a typically energetic display, playing like a man with a point to prove.  
Next up: a trip to Bourne Deeping 
 

MENS 3RD XI - 24/09/2016 VS CAMBRIDGE CITY 4 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 24/09/2016 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 24/09/2016 
HEADLINE: Newly promoted Norwich City men's 3s strike their first blow to secure 3 valuable points in Division 2N 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 2 NORTH 
VENUE: CAMBRIDGE CITY, ST JOHNS COLLEGE SPORTS GROUND 
RESULT: CAMBRIDGE CITY IV 2, NORWICH CITY III 3 (WINNERS: NORWICH CITY) 
 
REPORT: 
 
After the previous week’s loss against one of the four Cambridge sides now playing in Division 2N, Cambridge University 3 last week, the first introduction to the step up in hockey standard after the men’s 3s were crowned champions of Division 3NE last season, it was time to hit the road and get to know and love the A11/A14 route between Norwich and Cambridge. 
 
This week the men’s 3s were off to visit Cambridge City and to play their 4s, an experience team within Division 2N and from a thriving club that continues to turn out strong and successful teams. A game which in all honesty was expected to be a tough encounter and for those in the team with experience of playing at this level it was likely to be considered a much harder game than the previous week’s fixture against Cambridge University. 
 
It was City that started the brighter of the teams and started to put more and more pressure in the home team’s final 23, Joe Konieczny was the first to come close early on in the game when he was able to break high and receive a Chris Perry trademark distance aerial deep in the opposition territory, the final shot just slightly off target. It was eventually the break through that Norwich City 3s needed and deserved when a great run down the left by George Brine who got away a great reverse stick shot, the keeper sliding to save the first shot but Matt Brine following in and forcing a short corner as the keeper decided to smother the ball. A routine of Brine Senior to the stick stop of Brine Junior for Skipper Perry to drag flick high with great pace gave the keeper no chance, City (Norwich) were now 1-0 up and looking comfortable. The visitors continued to play well and whilst the game was at times end to end it was the Cambridge end that was seeing more of the pressure, the forward line for Norwich City 3s working really well together to create a number of chances. The second for Norwich came when a turnover by the travelling defensive line released the ball to Matt Brine who turned and threaded the perfect pass through to Joe Konieczny who was able to round the advancing keeper and fire home his shot low and into the corner, Norwich now 2-0 ahead. Just before half time Cambridge managed to pull a goal back when a rather scrappy attacking play was initially blocked but couldn’t be cleared and allowed a shot to be struck into the roof of the goal from close range, Norwich 2 and Cambridge 1 at half time. 
 
The talk at half time was to come out firing and wanting the win this second half, knowing that Cambridge will be very disappointed that the newly promoted team in this league should in theory not be able to cope with the experience Division 2N team. The focus was ensuring we kept possession and worked really hard to put pressure on the players with the ball at all times. The second half started very similar to how the first had finished, action end to end but probably Norwich creating more of the danger within the home sides 23, but just not quite finding the final pass to challenge the Cambridge goalkeeper enough. It was Norwich to open the scoring in the second half when a fantastic tackle by Matt Fretwell on the top of his own circle allowed the ball to break free of danger, releasing it early to a tracking back Matt Brine who turned and spread the ball out to debutant Dave Fletcher on the right wing, the play move quickly to the other end of the pitch and a composed Dave Flecther drew the defender and keeper out and slipped the ball square for Matt Brine (who, yes, managed to keep up with the play!) to follow up with ease, Norwich now 3-1 ahead and looking good for the win and first 3 league points. Cambridge started to up their game and realising they were now 2 goals down they needed to get back into the game, that they did and the pressure on the City defence stepped up even more, especially when Harry Ingham was given a green card for an alleged clumsy tackle in the centre of the pitch, more digging in needed by the visitors to try and hold onto their lead with only 10 men, it was going to be an interesting last third of the half, could they hold out? Despite some great work by the Norwich midfield and defence, all now very much on the back foot trying to cope with the raised enthusiasm by Cambridge, plus a couple of keys saves by Jake Aisthorpe in the Norwich goal, the inevitable happened and Cambridge managed to get their second goal, Norwich 3 and Cambridge 2. Norwich did resume play with some more changes, the forwards drawing a few great saves out of the Cambridge keeper, but with minutes to go a break away by Cambridge resulted in a short corner, a nervous moment and the outcome was a slight toe touch on the shot by Jake Aisthorpe in the City goal to see it hit the post and head out wide. It was a minute to play and it was captain Chris Perry who managed to create a firm barrier just inside his own circle to stop the attacking Cambridge player moving closer to the goal to get a shot away, unfortunately the umpiring deciding it was obstruction and blowing his whistle and awarding the short corner, a short corner that had a good amount of controversy as the umpire deciding it was end of time as it was being taken but not alerting this to the Cambridge players whom allowed the City running one to ease the ball out of the circle and a delayed whistle was blown as Cambridge began to move into the circle for what looked like a free shot, game was over and Norwich winning 3-2 in their first away game of the season. 
 
Lots of positives to take out of the performance, lots to also take onto the training ground this week to further refine and areas to improve, but it was a true “fire in the belly” performance that saw Norwich travelling back up the A11 as thoroughly deserving victors. Next week is a home encounter for the 3s against Dereham 2s, no doubt a tough game where both teams will be desperate for more hard fought Division 2N points. 
 
MOTM: was eventually awarded to Sam Bingham for an excellent work ethic and performance in midfield, closely followed and pipped by a recount of votes by Fred Anthony whom put in one of his best performances for some time. 
 

MENS 4TH XI - 24/09/2016 VS NEWMARKET (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 4th XI 
DATE: 24/09/2016 
FIXTURE: Mens 4th XI VS 24/09/2016 
HEADLINE: THIRTHEEN GOAL THRILLER!!! 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 4 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Newmarket Leisure Centre 
RESULT: Won 7-6 
 
REPORT: 
This week, it was an afternoon match at Newmarket for City's 4th XI; a town which puts horses above humans in the pecking order. So after being extra vigilant when driving next to the racecourse, we found ourselves on the pitch with a 13 man squad and some unusual new socks that Frosty found in the furthest depths of the store cupboard. 
City started off a bit topsy turvey. I blame the socks, but nevertheless, Newmarket were not hanging around and took an early lead. But City kept pushing and gradually got better and better through the first half. A City short corner was not dealt with by the opposition and Haran Patel fired our first goal home. As we started to build more confidence, Mr Josh Bailey went on a dream run from half way with a bit of fancy stick work and tucked in another just before half time, 2-1 City. 
Half time team talk was predicting an early second half charge from Newmarket, and they got 3 goals in quick succession to put City down 4-2. But it wasn’t over... The next 10 mins saw a tiring Newmarket, and City started to get on their nerves. Mistakes from the goalie allowed Declan Ordish and Cameron Cooke to slot in some easy finishes. While Chris Baker’s clinical finish put us back in the lead at 5-4. 
All the time City were improving, even with some tired legs out there. But Newmarket made it tricky with some pace and good passing. They levelled again to make it 5-5. It was now getting to the latter stage of the match. Ordish found some space and fired home his second of the match, 6-5 to City. But City’s goal of the day came from the one and only Ash ‘That was Rude’ Bird. Bird found his inner ‘Messi’ by scoring the final goal from a one touch chip over the goalie from a Patel aerial 16. I pinched myself just in case I was dreaming, but as the cheers came through the city players, I knew it was reality, 7-5. 
Only a late consolation from Bury made it a nervous last couple of minutes. Final score… 7-6 City. A game of true grit, determination and some special goals. And we never gave up. Fantastic game of Hockey. 

MENS 5TH XI - 24/09/2016 VS NEWMARKET 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 5th XI 
DATE: 24/09/2016 
FIXTURE: Mens 5th XI VS 24/09/2016 
HEADLINE:  
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 4 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: 
RESULT: 
 
REPORT: 
What a difference a week makes (probably playing at home and not in Ipswich helps)! With a star studded 5th XI the game didn't get off to the best of starts as Newmarket dominated the early exchanges. The effervescent, Ady Marr offered a great outlet to the back line as his tireless running caused problem after problem for the opposition. David Broadway and Alex Merron worked the corners well as they set up Ady for the opening goal of the game. Newmarket came back and gave another scare as a disallowed short corner let City off the hook. It didn't take long for the team to capitalise as Hoops and Felix combined to set up Broadway senior for the second goal (possibly helped by a Newmarket size 11 boot). Newmarket continued to press and made life difficult for City, but youngsters, Tom Spencer and Jack Watling held firm at the back with some impressive interplay. It wasn't long before Ady found the back of the net again after some great closing down from Alex Merron caused another mistake at the back for Newmarket. Another one of the youngsters, Mark Bailey (!!), jumped in on the action with a skillful finish putting away a waist high pass to take the score to 4-0. With Newmarket's legs starting to go, the pressure continued to build as Ady grabbed his hatrick (the team are still waiting for their jug??). It was a well deserved victory, but the games continue to come thick and fast: Lowestoft Railway away next Saturday! Well done particularly to the youngsters in the team who really impressed. Hopefully our tallisman, Ash Bird will return next week!  

MENS 6TH XI - 24/09/2016 VS NORWICH CITY 7 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 6th XI 
DATE: 24/09/2016 
FIXTURE: Mens 6th XI VS 24/09/2016 
HEADLINE: Smash and garb 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 6 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Taverham  
RESULT: Won 3-2 
 
REPORT: Well played the oldies as despite being outplayed in every department for the majority of the game the 6th team held on for their first win in a long time against the far better and far fitter 7th team. Thanks to some spectacular goals from Cushion, from a number of yards out, and Woodie with his best goal in a number of seasons when he powered a shot into the corner from the edge of the D, the oldies were 2-0 up before the 7th knew what had hit them. With at least 75% of the possession and far superior team play, it was only a matter of time before the 7th got their first goal to make the score more in keeping with the game. However, thanks to an incredible through ball by Taylor who found Cushion at the penalty spot,the 6th team ended the first half leading by 3 goals to 1. The oldies were lucky to be boosted by the young Andy Forsey and the even younger Fitz Hornor (who played himself into the POTM position) and both played a very impressive defensive performance to keep the younger, fitter team at bay for the majority of the second half. Bolstered by the introduction of Blake and Brown the 6th team defended throughout the second half with aplomb. Gerry Kelly also played his part and despite a green card for yet another miss-timed tackle he was the best runner up of the POTM and helped the 6th to hold onto their lead. Coyle again played well in goal and couldn't stop the 7th team from scoring their second goal but stopped them getting the scores even by the end of the game. A plucky, lucky win for the oldies who managed to hang on to win the game despite being outplayed throughout the game.  
Amusing incidents in the game included Dave Kidner being green carded for throwing Woodies stick over the fence after he "dropped" it during an attempted tackle, Cushion lobbing Hewett in goal but missing the target and White getting one in the privates from the stick of Holden. Good news was that Blake didn't get carded, the team played yet another new formation and Wright's knees managed to survive the game - oh and we got very very lucky!  
 

MENS 7TH XI - 24/09/2016 VS NORWICH CITY 6 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 7th XI 
DATE: 24/09/2016 
FIXTURE: Mens 7th XI VS 24/09/2016 
HEADLINE: Unlucky defeat against our 6's 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 6 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: TRF 
RESULT: NORWICH CITY 6's 3 NORWICH CITY 7's 2 
 
City 7's kicked off their league campaign following last weeks cancellation. With the team once again a mixture of experience, Back To Hockey graduates, Development Team graduates, newcomers as well as a few from last season there was little idea of how the team would perform against the experience in the 6's.  
Just as the 7's were finding their feet and starting to spring passes together an unfortunate slip allowed the 6's in for the opening goal. Another defensive error by the 7's experienced full backs let in the 6's for their second. However, the 7's were now starting to put passes together and were creating chances allowing Joe Holden to pull one back. The 6's then capitalised on another defensive lapse to take a 3-1 lead into the break. After the break it was the 7's who enjoyed the majority of possession with the 6's relying on sporadic breaks. Despite the possession the 7's found it difficult to find the back of the net with keeper Rob Coyle in fine form. With 15 minutes remaining Lee Allsop added a finishing touch to reduce the arrears. Although the 7's continued to push forward a deserved equaliser proved elusive. all in all a promising start for the 7's. 
 
 
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MENS DEVELOPMENT XI - 24/09/2016 VS NORWICH DRAGONS B (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens Development XI 
DATE: 24/09/2016 
FIXTURE: Mens Development XI VS 24/09/2016 
HEADLINE: City open with comfortable victory 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: TRF 
RESULT: Norwich City 7-1 Norwich Dragons B 
 
City opened the season with a comprehensive victory against their local rivals in good spirited match that left both managers with a lot to be positive about. From the start City always looked the stronger team with Rio Iaccarino and Monty Platt owning the midfield and took the lead from an Elliot Fox penalty corner strike swiftly followed by the gaol of the game purely based on simplicity and coolness of thought. Man of the match Richie Mann showed composure in the D to pass to Freddie Paterson who neatly laid the ball to Fox who calmly slotted home. Mann extended the lead to 3 midway through the second quarter. Sadly two injuries to a Dragons side without substitutes on the stroke of half time effectively ended the contest. In the spirit of the game City consciously reduced their team to 10 before then lending Dragons a player to ensure a better match was had by all. The second half saw further goals from Mann, Rio Iaccarino, Joseph Roy and Cameron Husband who is rarely if ever seen beyond the half way line. Harry Fuller scored a consolation goal for the visitors on the stroke of full time. 
 
 
 
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