Results

MENS 1ST XI - 27/10/2024 VS BEESTON (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 1st XI 
DATE: 27/10/2024 
FIXTURE: Mens 1st XI VS 27/10/2024 
HEADLINE: Taverham welcome National League opponents for the EH Cup first round 
LEAGUE: T1 EH Cup  
VENUE: Taverham Recreational Facility  
RESULT: 2-5 loss  
 
REPORT: A repeat of our cup semi final from last season. We were eventual 5-3 losers back in March after twice being on top in the fixture but 4th quarter dominance from Beeston saw them come from 3-2 down to go through and onto winning the cup vs Banbury at Lee Valley. We already knew it would be a tough fixture against Prem opposition. 
And this was confirmed in the first 14.5 seconds as Beeston marauded through straight from pushback and took the lead with a well taken finish from the top of the D. We quickly regained composure and kept Beeston out, only 1 PC win for Beeston being threatening in the remainder of Q1.  
The second quarter started strong for Norwich, Tom Cooke turned the ball over at halfway, he found Max Wilson on the break who cut outside and entered the D on the Left before he pulled back and found Ben Chapman approaching from the right, Ben got his shot off and the rebound fell to Cris Wardale at the P Spot to cooley lift the ball into the net to equalise the scores. Norwich followed this up shortly after with their first short corner of the game but the Beeston keeper was equal to Cam Cookes drag flick. Beeston showed their quality once more as they quickly played in and out of our midfield and defence to create a free opportunity to hit at goal and their lead had returned. Just before halftime they doubled the advantage with a ball across that go deflected into the path of the attacker at the back post who could finish into an open goal. 3-1 HT. 
The 3rd quarter started with Beeston winning their 4th penalty corner of the game, Simon Dolan was equal to it once more. Norwich then got Beeston worried with a superb turnover from Max Wilson to quickly find Ben Chapman who found Tom Ridley just outside the D for a quick carry and he expertly reversed into the side netting to reduce the deificit back to one goal with some good momentum going Norwichs way. A 2nd Norwich penalty corner was one, but a second Norwich penalty corner was saved by the Beeston goalkeeper. And then Beeston turned on the style once again, sliding in and around our midfield with some lovely one and two touch play and the player arriving in the D for a first time finish to go 4-2 ahead to close out Q3. 
Q4 was very even, both sides creating danger, first from Beeston with a penalty corner well saved by Simon Dolan then Harry Gill slapped a ball into Chris Wardale but he Beeston keeper was equal to it. Beeston won another corner but put this one wide, before Ed Beake won Norwich another corner, this drag beat the keeper but also beat the post wide left and then with time expiring Beeston managed to flick one high left for a 5-2 final scoreline.  
A great battle, the premier division class showing out, very similar tussle to the match from last year.