Results

WOMENS 1ST XI - 24/11/2018 VS HARLESTON MAGPIES 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 1st XI 
DATE: 24/11/2018 
FIXTURE: Womens 1st XI VS 24/11/2018 
HEADLINE: Feliz Cumpleanos 
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION 
 
RESULT: Score: 0 - 3 (loss) 
 
GOALSCORERS: Rachel (work it out) 
 
REPORT: 
On this cold, blustery November afternoon the Womens 1s stepped up to play their part in the Norwich City vs Magpies Club Clash.  
 
The first half isn’t really worth focussing on. There was some pre match yoga, cups of tea and a slightly sleepy start. Magpies played some good stuff and scored a couple of early goals with strong shots from tight angles. The 3rd goal, well I completely missed that one. I’m told Magpies broke though the right hand side, smashed the ball goalwards, and after a scramble on the line the ball dropped into the City goal. Unsure exactly who the final touch was off. Lucky the game’s on video… 
 
A strong half time team talk decided that we should probably do better. And what do you know; the second half brought some delightful play with triangles down the pitch opening up opportunities and a whole host of City short corners. Some great saves from the Magpie’s keeper and solid defending unfortunately kept the second half goalless. Mentions should go to POTM Micayla Toothill for valiant defending throughout, including a reverse stick, diving tackle of the season and the rest of the gals for tiresome work pressurising Magpies to win the ball and dominate the second half. The game finished a 3-0 loss but not to worry, the lowly Norwich City will rise again. 
 
The afternoon ended with a song of Feliz Cumpleanos to the lovely Irene and she agreed that a Lager Shandy was better than Sangria any day. Good multiculturalism from Norwich City. 
 
 

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WOMENS 3RD XI - 24/11/2018 VS NORWICH DRAGONS 4 (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens 3rd XI 
DATE: 24/11/2018 
FIXTURE: Womens 3rd XI VS 24/11/2018 
HEADLINE: On the ball City 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK PREMIER DIVISION 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Dragons Den (away) 
RESULT: 0-4 (win) 
 
REPORT:  
Just like the Canaries this weekend, NCHC's women's 3s racked up four goals in a convincing win away from home. Travelling to Dragons to play their 4s, City secured their ninth consecutive victory and didn't concede a goal. 
 
It was City's Olivia Greenway who slotted away the only goal of the first half, despite the visitors having a number of other chances to score. The second half saw a better conversion rate, with Olivia getting her second, followed by further goals from Jenni Stangham and player of the match Annabel Pounder. The fourth score from the visitors rounded off a strong team performance. 

WOMENS 4TH XI - 24/11/2018 VS LOWESTOFT RAILWAY 1 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 4th XI 
DATE: 24/11/2018 
FIXTURE: Womens 4th XI VS 24/11/2018 
HEADLINE: Keep going Womens 4s! 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK PREMIER DIVISION 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT: NCHC 4s 1. Lowestoft 3 
 
REPORT: NCHC Womens 4s hosted Lowestoft Railway Womens 1s in an evenly contested and entertaining match. The game started quite slowly as both teams settled to the pitch and it was Lowestoft who scored after a break from their left forward, who was given far too much space having ran from the half way line. 
 
City then had a solid period of play with several attacks and a text book right hand side of the pitch attack by Bev Cushion and Millie Clarke, resulted in a strike from youngster Emily Leeming which was saved by the keeper, only to send it to Sue Tomlinson for a blast from the top to bring the scores level. Unfortunately, the excitement for City didn’t last very long when Lowestoft took the lead from a short corner. A further goal before half time for Lowestoft possibly didn’t reflect the play from City. Half time 3.1 down. Flo Duffield made a welcome return to the squad and narrowly missed converting a short corner, unfortunately just the wrong side of the post. 
 
Second half was very even and no further score from either team. 
 
Another busy day for GK Anna Linsmith, defenders Lizzie Roberson, Gillian Allen, Mia Edmond all having strong performances, and lots of running and hard work from forwards and inners Abi Flatt, Frances Underhill, Hannah Sangar, Caroline Illing and Gabby Sharp. 
 
City should again be commended on the never give up attitude and that we are continuing to work on areas of the game where improvements can be made, team spirit remains good after the continuing defeats – keep going girls - there’s always next week …………. 
 
Many thanks to Harriett Johnson and Micayla Tootill from Womens 1s who helped run the bench, offer support and advice and a massive amount of enthusiasm! Also to our Captain Hannah Sangar thwarted by continuing injury, but for all the work getting the team together each week. 
 
Voting for player of the match was very even with votes across the team - POTM Sue Tomlinson 
 
 
 

WOMENS 5TH XI - 24/11/2018 VS HARLESTON MAGPIES 5 (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens 5th XI 
DATE: 24/11/2018 
FIXTURE: Womens 5th XI VS 24/11/2018 
HEADLINE: Hard fought match to the very end! 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK LEAGUE DIVISION 1 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Harleston Magpies (away) 
RESULT: 1-3 (loss) 
 
REPORT:City 5’s had an early morning start to Magpie’s this week arriving to a very well watered pitch which made the warm up and pre match drills in slightly damp conditions interesting! 
 
The game started with intensity from the off and the defence of Serena Scott, Alli McLellan and Jess Taylor-Balls, teamed with midfield player’s Annette Peter’s, Carol McNarry and Cheryl Brown were tested but with equilibrium soon restored and rotations very welcome, allowed for a great all round team performance from the 5’s playing the wide ball and finding the forward line ready to pounce. 
 
Indeed, City were first to score with a great ball into the D finding Carey Briggs who finished the move and took the well deserved honours. Magpies equalised with a well rehearsed short corner routine bringing the scores level at half time. 
 
Magpie’s appeared to find another gear during the start of the second half, their talented development girls enjoying their first Season playing adult hockey were relentless in their pursuit of goal and although thwarted on many occasions by experienced City player’s they were able to increase their tally to 3 before the final whistle. 
 
City 5’s though should be very proud of their performance today, chances came and went but we played with great determination until the very end, chasing every ball and playing some excellent hockey, with set pieces executed well and the wide game stretching the opposition. 
Player of the match Cheryl Brown 
 
Match report kindly written by Cheryl Brown 

WOMENS 6TH XI - 24/11/2018 VS HARLESTON MAGPIES 6 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 6th XI 
DATE: 24/11/2018 
FIXTURE: Womens 6th XI VS 24/11/2018 
HEADLINE: NO REPORT  
LEAGUE: NORFOLK LEAGUE DIVISION 2 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: 
RESULT: 
 
REPORT: 
NO REPORT 

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MENS 2ND XI - 24/11/2018 VS CROSTYX 1     (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 2nd XI 
DATE: 24/11/2018 
FIXTURE: Mens 2nd XI VS 24/11/2018 
HEADLINE: City hold out for 3 points 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 1 
VENUE: TRF 
RESULT: 3-2 
 
REPORT: 
A bright but cold day brought the likes of Crostyx 1XI to Norfolk's shores and the team were given explicit instructions from the skipper to build on the performances of the past few weeks and don't lose concentration at the pivotal moments in the match.  
 
The team saw some familiar faces returning to the fray in the form of Matt "I haven't got any friends visiting this weekend" Fretwell and Ben "Earning Brownie Points with the missus" Plumb slotting back into the midfield and Harry "Fancy a game this weekend" Gill adding to the forward line providing some much needed dynamism with the visitors expected to be a well drilled side given their recent results.  
 
The match started well, as City's goal remained intact after the first minute. Chances were few and far between for both sides throughout the rest of the half. City's only chances came from Chris "Love an aerial" Perry's long ball tactic launching some javelin like passes for the forwards to deal with and the visitors not adapting to the bouncy slick pitch at all well. One such pass resulted in an early run from Jeremy "Dad Bod" Elliott which saw the resultant cross fired across the face of the goal with only Richard "Squaddie" Sylvester in the vicinity but sadly he could not apply the desired finish.  
 
The visitors had a number of short corner opportunities throughout the half but their stick stopper was not adapting well to the slick pitch and Ben "Got myself a haircut before the game" Millett was not really tested as a result. The half ended all square with all to play for and City very much warming up into the game.  
 
City started the second half brightly creating a flurry of opportunities but with little reward. The deadlock was finally broken when a good midfield move allowed Elliott to enter the circle and get away a reverse stick shot for it to find the gaping hole between the visitors keepers legs and into the far corner, 1 - 0 City.  
 
City proceeded to push for a further goal with Richard "Got me a trailer" Green picking off passes a plenty and the tireless running of Fretwell and Plumb keeping up the pressure on the visitors, however, it was the visitors who were to strike next on the break with a bobbled shot deceiving the unmoved Millett, 1 - 1.  
 
Having conceded, City were then spurred on and proceeded to push for further goals which resulted in a series of free hits in and around the visitors 25. Elliott saw a rare gap in the visitors defence and proceeded to take the chance quickly, driving for the base line, and firing a stinger cross across the face of goal where the gallant Gill was waiting to tap in from a couple of feet, 2 - 1 City.  
 
Possibly one of the pivotal moments of the match followed with arguably the visitors best player, and captain, being struck on the knee and having to depart the game from a somewhat archetypal reverse stick cross from Elliott which needless to say did not remain upon the floor. The visitors had to quickly re-jig their defence and with their keeper becoming ever increasingly bold was soon found out of position when Gill took a side line ball quickly to Elliott who took one touch, turned and fired off a sweetly struck shot only to see it hit the sprawling keeper, trying his best to cover the open goal, and nestled into the net, 3 - 1 City.  
 
With a two goal margin, and only 7 minutes left on the clock, it seemed City were easing to a positive result and for City to gain the first 3 points since the opening game of the season. But, in true City style, they liked to keep the spectators on the edge of their seats. Another break against the run of play saw the visitors put 5 passes together and find themselves entering the D with time to get a shot off, a further bobbling shot resulted and foxed Millett to cross the line and keep the visitors in with a chance of grasping a point.  
 
As the visitors continued to push hard for the equaliser, Clive "the only Armenian In the league" Crichton, Jim "used to fit my wife beater vest" Pallister and Perry marshalled the defence and controlled the dying minutes of the game to give City a well deserved win. 

MENS 3RD XI - 24/11/2018 VS BURY ST EDMUNDS 1 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 24/11/2018 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 24/11/2018 
HEADLINE: If you can't beat them, enjoy it 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 2 NORTH 
VENUE: Culford 
RESULT: 9-0 loss 
 
REPORT: 
it was never going to be an easy game for City this week: a depleted side missing regular players, travelling and playing a team who haven't lost a game this season. Then throw in the fact that for Bury this was a memorial game which featured players who had travelled from afar to play in this game, and then it becomes clear that City were up against it from the start. 
An incident in the first 5 minutes where skipper Adam Sayer took a ball to the head and had to sit out for a few minutes, set the tone for the game to come. Bury were quick and direct, and very clinical in front of goal. City came close with a couple of chances in the first half, but at half time, City found themselves trailing 4 goals. 
The second half was a battle again, but City just couldn't stop the onslaught. Absolute credit must go the City players who kept battling on, and did not complain once, nor utter any negativity, despite 3 Bury players being carded for aggressive tackles and back chat. 
A 9-0 loss, hard to take, but City once again held their heads high and kept battling to the end. 
 
POTM: Tobias Leonard - Caused Bury to worry...abit. 
TYFC: Murray Breetske - When do you leave? 

MENS 4TH XI - 24/11/2018 VS HARLESTON MAGPIES 4 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 4th XI 
DATE: 24/11/2018 
FIXTURE: Mens 4th XI VS 24/11/2018 
HEADLINE: Youth Shine Again 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 4 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Harleston 
RESULT: 6 - 1 Win 
 
REPORT: 
City 4s turned up at a slightly breezy Harleston with a strong squad, knowing that if they played simple hockey they would stand a great chance of returning with 3 points.  
 
Captain for the day, Adie (Hurry back Frosty), thought he was bolstered by having Lingy on the team sheet but although he talked a lot, he strayed and huffed far more. Once again, youth demonstrated their skill and impact at this level and are a joy to play alongside.  
 
City started strong and did everything that was requested. Simple hockey created good chances. City quickly took control at 3-0 with some lovely passing moves. Adie slipped in Jonty for the first before rolling back a few years to lift the ball over the last defender before driving into the 25 and rounding the keeper for 2-0. Rio, Jonty and Alex were once again proving their worth along with Ben who played well on his second appearance for the 4s. Rio showed great close control along the goal line, providing brother Rocco with an early Christmas present for 3-0. City disappointingly lost shape in a 10 minute period that included a Harleston player picking up an injury taking them down to 10. Half time arrived and a chance to refocus.  
 
The second half followed the same pattern with City dominating possession and Harleston unwilling to press even when they mysteriously made it back up to 11 (apparently a sick dog caused the very late arrival). Rio was dangerous throughout and was rewarded with two goals, one after a nice one-two before a reverse stick shot deflected off a defender's shin. Mally demonstrated discipline where Lingy could not in what was an assured display. Great work from Alex and Jonty assisted Adie's second. The stand-in captain was frustrated however, as City allowed Harleston a consolation. Disappointing for a defence that was comfortable and appeared unlikely to concede for most of the game and Eddie in goal who was not required as much as in previous weeks.  
 
Rio was deservedly awarded MOTM for the constant threat he posed and a couple of goals. 
 
'Thank you for coming', if the 4s awarded one, would have clearly gone to... Well you decide from the report.  
 
Roll on next week when we entertain top of the league.  
 

MENS 6TH XI - 24/11/2018 VS HARLESTON MAGPIES 5     (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 6th XI 
DATE: 24/11/2018 
FIXTURE: Mens 6th XI VS 24/11/2018 
HEADLINE: Close game 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 5 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Taverham  
RESULT:drew 2-2 
 
REPORT: this was a well fought game which resulted in a 2-2 draw. On the run of play Magpies should have come away with a win . A draw gives us another point. 
 

MENS MASTERS XI - 25/11/2018 VS HARLESTON MAGPIES O40S (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens Masters XI 
DATE: 25/11/2018 
FIXTURE: Mens Masters XI VS 25/11/2018 
HEADLINE: Cup run over for another year 
CUP: O40s tier 2 competition 
VENUE: Harleston 
RESULT: 2-4 loss 
 
REPORT: City turned up at Harleston knowing that this fixture was going to be a stern test for their 13 man squad, however suitably warmed up and motivated by skipper Pies, City started strongly and for the first 20 mins were the better team. This pressure paid off and City took the lead when Gallop's cross field pass found Ingham who quickly found Bailey on the left and passed into the D to the unmarked Claburn who slotted home. 
 
Harleston that put pressure on the City defensive unit and won several Penalty Corners which keeper Jewers was equal to but from a broken down Penalty Corner Harleston drew level to make it 1-1 at halftime. At halftime Pies and Pallister urged the team to maintain their focus and determination to keep on top of the hosts and having the opportunity to counter attack. 
 
Into the 2nd half and Harleston kept up the pressure established from the end of the first half forcing City to play the ball long which were being cut out. Harleston took the lead with 15 to go which was the killer blow as this forced City to gamble and play higher up the pitch leaving gaps at the back. 2-1 soon became 3-1 and even though City had 3 Penalty corners to try and pull a goal back Harleston put the game to bed scoring a 4th. 
 
Patel scored a late Penalty Corner but it was too little too late. Harleston winning 4-2 with a well fought game played in the right spirit. 
 
POTM somehow went to the junior member of the team Gallop...........I think it was a late birthday present from his teammates (39th and somehow eligible for the O40s???????)