Results

WOMENS 1ST XI - 26/10/2019 VS CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY 1 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 1st XI 
DATE: 26/10/2019 
FIXTURE: Womens 1st XI VS 26/10/2019 
HEADLINE: Celebrations for the first win of the season!  
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION 
VENUE:Taverham  
RESULT:2-1 (W)  
 
REPORT: 
Fresh off their first point of the season the previous week the women’s 1s bettered that this weekend with a win at home to Cambridge University 1s.  
 
Despite strong play by City the students scored first from a short corner in the first half of the game. City were unable to convert their possession to goals and went into half time frustratingly 1-0 down.  
 
Unfazed, Norwich started the second half strongly and before long found an equalising goal, scored by Krystal Bishop.  
 
City continued to press hard, and, with 10 minutes to go, scored a second goal from a short corner play, also finished by Bishop.  
 
Norwich held the visitors off for the remainder of the game, despite some solid breaks from Cambridge’s attack, with goal 
Keeper Mikayla-Mae Glover making some important saves to ensure city kept their lead up to the final whistle.  
 
Player of the match - Harriet Preston.  
 
 

WOMENS 2ND XI - 26/10/2019 VS HARLESTON MAGPIES 3 (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens 2nd XI 
DATE: 26/10/2019 
FIXTURE: Womens 2nd XI VS 26/10/2019 
HEADLINE: Blood, Sweat and Tears 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 2 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Harleston Magpies 
RESULT: 0-2 
 
REPORT: 
 
Norwich crossed the Suffolk border early Saturday morning with a depleted squad of the bare 11, a strong bare 11 to say the least! 
 
Norwich began their warm up with a sluggish run up a nearby hill, being careful not to tire too early before the game. This momentum carried forward onto the pitch with some stick and ball skills to get their eye in and to warm up and welcome keeper Milly Hyatt into the team for her debut this season.  
 
The first push back was played and Norwich were prepped to make the ball do the work, keep possession and work up and down the pitch as a unit to overcome their close black and white rivals. However, what they were not prepared for was the physical battle that lay before them.  
 
In the first 10/15 minutes or so Norwich spent most of their time trying to keep Magpies from penetrating their 25. Magpies were not able to break down Norwich’s experienced defence; with Karren Dagless and captain Leigh-Ann Worrall bossing it from the back and cutting out dangerous balls. Sally Rose denied anyone who tried to pass her on her weak side (little did they know she has a strong reverse stick stop) and finally fierce Frankie Birkenhead who mopped up anything in her path.  
 
Norwich did not turn up to go home with nothing, they dug deep and lit the fire in their bellies and fought back with ‘oomph’! They began to progress up the field into Magpies half, Magpies leaving centre Georgia Cleveland un marked who could distribute play to inside forwards Rosie Humphrey and Niamh Campbell. Play stopped as Rosie had to catch her breath after being winded from having her feet wiped from underneath her. Play resumed, left wing Emma Hewitt sent some lovely reverse passes down the line for Forward Milly Brown to run onto and Niamh engaged her speed and used her pace to out skill Magpies’ defence which led to Norwich winning their first short corner but unfortunately could not convert before the half time whistle.  
 
After the half time talk Norwich knew they had to fight for their 3 points and fight they did. For every 50/50 ball there was a yellow shirt closing it down and more often than not winning the tussle. Hard work and determination paid off, Emma drove the ball in onto the right post where Mia Moore was there to curl the ball in over the line, 0-1. The front 5 continued to press with Milly making penetrating runs deep into Magpies uneasy defence. Rosie Humphrey scored Norwich’s second goal of the day from a short corner. She injected to Leigh-Ann at the top of the D who slipped right to Milly, the shot was saved and Rosie was there to mop up the ball from the keeper’s feet, 0-2.  
 
After going 2-0 up, Norwich played sensible, smart hockey. Experience shone through which outweighed the Magpies’ youth. They valued possession and in the final minutes crashed balls into the corners to see them through until the final whistle.  
 
Norwich took it on the chin having injury after injury, going down to 10 players more than once yet they never gave up and worked tirelessly for each other until they got the result they wanted and that they deserved. Well done to all!  
 
Also a big thanks to coach Chris Wardale who sacrificed his game to support us form the sideline and thanks for the support from the parents it was much appreciated.  
 
POTM Rosie Humphrey. 

WOMENS 3RD XI - 26/10/2019 VS LODDON 1 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 3rd XI 
DATE: 26/10/2019 
FIXTURE: Womens 3rd XI VS 26/10/2019 
HEADLINE: Home draw 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK PREMIER DIVISION 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Taverham (home) 
RESULT: 1-1 
 
REPORT: NCHC Womens 3s hosted Loddon 1s on a particularly windy morning for a game of two halves.  
 
City started slowly and Loddon were keen to take advantage. City's defence were tested repeatedly with a number of short corners being awarded as a result. Luckily City were able to keep Loddon from converting with goal-keeper Serena Scott taking charge.  
 
City did manage several forays of their own into the opposition D, with Gabby Sharpe and Kim Lusher linking up well on the left, but were unable to find the goal. Eventually Loddon were able to catch City on the break and, with their usual punishing accuracy, tucked the ball away in the bottom corner, putting the visitors a goal up at half time. 
 
The second half saw City up their game with slicker passing and a lot more energy. Only minutes in, Liv Greenway won the ball at the half way line and passed it to POTM, Jen Czerwinski, who found herself in acres of space on the right hand side, and drove the ball towards the Loddon D where Emily Greenway was waiting to expertly slap the ball in at the far post to even the score. 
 
End to end play continued, with defenders Gemma Sargent and Sally Richards switching the ball around the back quickly, enabling Emily Spencer and Jenny Brine to distribute the ball up the wings to the waiting forwards, who won several short corners, but were unable to convert. Emma Richardson and Carolyn Lumley worked tirelessly in the midfield as Loddon mounted on the pressure, but City matched their determination and were able to hold the score at 1-1 until the final whistle.  
 

WOMENS 4TH XI - 26/10/2019 VS DISS 1 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 4th XI 
DATE: 26/10/2019 
FIXTURE: Womens 4th XI VS 26/10/2019 
HEADLINE: A close match against Diss 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK PREMIER DIVISION 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Home  
RESULT: city 4s - 1 Diss 1s - 2 
 
REPORT:  
Norwich City 4s had their work cut out as the rain poured at the start of their match against Diss 1s. The 4s knew it would be a tough match, playing second in the league but they were ready to show Diss what they were made of. 
 
An early goal by Diss, meant that City had to pull it together for the second half. Not long after the final half began, a quick fire goal from Carol McNarry levelled the score board. Although City controlled play well in the last part of the match, Diss managed to pull forward with one last goal. 
 
Motm - Jessica Taylor balls  

MENS 2ND XI - 26/10/2019 VS ST IVES 1 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 2nd XI 
DATE: 26/10/2019 
FIXTURE: Mens 2nd XI VS 26/10/2019 
HEADLINE: Crazy Game! 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 2 NORTH 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT: 10-6 Win 
 
REPORT: 
Mens twos managed to come out on top in a crazy 16 goal thriller. 
The team completely controlled the first half putting in a dominating performance resulting in four goals scored and none conceded.  
The second half was a more coatic affair with a goal being scored less than every 3 minutes. St Ives never managed to come within a goal of the team but they did manage to put 6 past the city keeper.  
Final score 10-6. 

MENS 3RD XI - 26/10/2019 VS NEWMARKET 1 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 26/10/2019 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 26/10/2019 
HEADLINE: Brilliant youth 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE:Newmarket  
RESULT:3-3 
 
REPORT: 
The match started with top of the league Newmarket dominating the field and deservedly taking an early lead from a short corner. They doubled their lead mid-way into the first half but the game was becoming more of an even contest. Toward the end of the first half two 'smash and grab' goals saw us draw level having taken advantage of two break-away plays. Henry Baker with our first, a fine reverse stick finish and Ben Chapman with the second after a brilliant run and unselfish play by Rafe Lochore to set him up. 
 
Following a few inspirational words from Simon at half-time and with the weather worsening the second half began in much the same fashion as the first with Newmarket adding to their score early on from an impressive passing move. Some wonderful keeping from Luke Elwes kept us in contention and some sharp thinking and a smart individual run from Rio Iaccarino saw us draw level once again.  
 
Newmarket kept up the pressure but some solid defending from Simon Black and Cameron Husband along with more great saves from Luke frustrated the Newmarket men. The Dad/Son Hyatt (Jason and Sam) combination along with worthy performances from some young guns, namely Archie ? and Toby Pallister and the ever present Will Riddleston made for a busy mid-field - great play from all involved. 
 
A draw was definitely a fair result, credit to everyone who played - more of the same next week from Norwich 3s we hope. 

MENS 4TH XI - 26/10/2019 VS PELICANS 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 4th XI 
DATE: 26/10/2019 
FIXTURE: Mens 4th XI VS 26/10/2019 
HEADLINE: City regret missed chances against the Pelicans 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: 
RESULT: NCHC 4s 2 - 3 Pelicans 2s 
 
REPORT: 
The Pelicans set the tempo at the start, pressuring City and keeping them largely pinned back in their own half with high pressing. However, City started to take control of the game. Against the run of play Pelicans scored, frustrating for City who had built up some good moment and were pressuring the Pelican goal. City kept their heads up and continued the attack and were rewarded with an equaliser going into half time.  
 
City came out strong in the second half, energised by the first half performance, but once again Pelicans struck with speed to score minutes into the second half. City dug deep and kept going and were rewarded by a great solo goal by Armstrong, who dribbled the ball through several defenders and scored from an acute angle. City rode the momentum and created chances, but were punished in the dying minutes, dropping what would have been otherwise a very deserved point.  

MENS 6TH XI - 26/10/2019 VS PELICANS 4 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 6th XI 
DATE: 26/10/2019 
FIXTURE: Mens 6th XI VS 26/10/2019 
HEADLINE: Strong performance 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 6 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Taverham  
RESULT: won 8-1 
 
REPORT: we started off slowly in this game and conceded an early goal after that we took control against a 10 man Pelicans team and won 8-1 with goals from Paul Roy 3 , Simon Deakin 2 and John Grange, Chris Coupland and Paul Gallop scored one each . Paul Roy was POTM for his hat- trick . 
 

MENS DEVELOPMENT XI - 26/10/2019 VS NORWICH DRAGONS (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens Development XI 
DATE: 26/10/2019 
FIXTURE: Mens Development XI VS 26/10/2019 
HEADLINE: Festival of Goals 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: TRF 
RESULT: 13-3 win 
 
REPORT: Not wanting to test the particulars of a field called “match report” for size one could have simply written “goal fest- bundle!” after today’s exploits and have left it there to re-watch World Cup rugby but for 32 raised, if imaginary, eyebrows. So with a test audience of one 13 year old to inform this week’s scribe’s prior output (being slated as “neither interesting nor insightful”) a change of tack seems in order- 
 
At first, the fine droplets infusing the atmosphere seemed refreshing, even welcome and just maybe a balm to the fervent ardour with which our enlarged squad would wish to seek their goal, dousing the fire in their bellies through a rainbow shaped prism of circumspection, dampening their goal bound quest through the very real drizzle heading straight for their eyes.  
But perhaps not, aside from being too metaphysical, on too many levels, by the end, this team was saturated with teamsmanship; the drizzle turning to steam bellowed from their nostrils, the oppo by contrast caught, frozen by the penetrating glare of the arc lights of selflessness with which the devs prosecuted their mission. And if this seems contrived then, well, so was the attacking play; contrived to eliminate. Likewise, the defence contrived to deny space to oppo attacks and the oxygen of a passing game. As the game wore on our fresher legs (BTW no one played more than 3/4s of a game and half backs all played 5/8s) held firm and illustrated what can be achieved when we trust in each other. 
 
Actually if romantic fiction isn’t your thing, then it’s not your week, as there were just too many good actual moments to report in this game. Yet we should record how far we have come (in such a short time) and how proud we should be of ourselves and each other, so really this report should read “goalsfest- bundle!”