Results

LADIES 1ST XI - 26/11/2016 VS BEDFORD 1 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 1st XI 
DATE: 26/11/2016 
FIXTURE: Womens 1st XI VS 26/11/2016 
HEADLINE: Bedford show their top of the league class 
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION 
VENUE: Taverham High School 
RESULT: 5-0 Loss 
 
REPORT: 
City took on Bedford at Taverham who were currently sitting top of the table comfortable and looking to jump into national league, and that is certainly what they looked like when playing at Taverham. They scored some great goals and had some great moves which saw them ease to a 5-0 victory.  
 
POTM: Suzy Mitchell 
 

LADIES 2ND XI - 26/11/2016 VS CARROW 1 (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens 2nd XI 
DATE: 26/11/2016 
FIXTURE: Womens 2nd XI VS 26/11/2016 
HEADLINE:  
LEAGUE: NORFOLK PREMIER DIVISION 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Langley School 
RESULT: Won 5-0 
 
REPORT: 
City 2's played very well on Saturday, with a 5-0 win against Carrow's first team. As most of our goals were as a result of short corners it was clear our practice over the last few weeks had payed off. Ellie Brine scored the first goal as a result of a rebound in a short corner, followed by a strike at goal from Leigh-Ann Worrall. Captain Rosie Humphrey then got the third goal from a dog leg short corner, then Emily Francis secured the last goal in open play after lots of hard work to get into the oppositions D. The final goal was scored by another short corner from Leigh-Ann, which resulted in the team winning 5-0, well done girls! 
 
Match report kindly provided by the well deserved POTM, Matilda Warde-Aldam. 

LADIES 3RD XI - 26/11/2016 VS LODDON 1 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 3rd XI 
DATE: 26/11/2016 
FIXTURE: Womens 3rd XI VS 26/11/2016 
HEADLINE:  
LEAGUE: NORFOLK PREMIER DIVISION 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Taverham Recreation Facility 
RESULT: 2-2 (D) 
 
REPORT: 
On Saturday, the NCHC womens 3’s took to the pitch to battle mid-table rivals Loddon 1’s. We were quick off the mark, with attacking circle entries made within the first five minutes. Loddon managed to create a quick break resulting in a short corner and a goal. City did not let their heads sink, fighting back, with a circle entry from Rachael Cave and deflection from Mollae Scott levelling the score. City continued to work hard, creating lovely link-up play and much pressure on the oppositions defence. With a short corner awarded, City took their chance for a second goal, with Anna Brook injecting to Rachael Cave at top D, Anna quickly ran to post to receive the deflection. Loddon then levelled the score again having broken through the strong city defence. City struggled to find another goal despite having much of the possession throughout the 2nd half. A draw sees the team sitting comfortably at 6th place in the league with player of the match being awarded to Rachael Cave. 

LADIES 4TH XI - 26/11/2016 VS BROADLAND 1 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 4th XI 
DATE: 26/11/2016 
FIXTURE: Womens 4th XI VS 26/11/2016 
HEADLINE: We're getting there ...... 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK PREMIER DIVISION 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE:TRF 
RESULT:5-0 (Loss) 
 
REPORT: 
This week we played top of the league Broadland 1s. In the first half we played well, applying pressure and preventing Broadland from scoring in the first 25 minutes. It was not until the end of the first half after they had been awarded two short corners that they managed to score, with the score being 2-0 at half time.  
The whole team continued to play their best throughout the rest of the game and everyone constantly came back to defend.  
Unfortunately the score line did not reflect how we played, however everyone should be happy with their performance as we continue to improve week on week.  
 
Report kindly provided by POTM, Lydia Ellis-Baumber. 

LADIES 5TH XI - 26/11/2016 VS WATTON 3 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 5th XI 
DATE: 26/11/2016 
FIXTURE: Womens 5th XI VS 26/11/2016 
HEADLINE: 5s rack up the goals against bottom of the league! 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK LEAGUE DIVISION 2 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Taverham High School 
RESULT: 21-0! WIN 
 
REPORT: 
The Womens 5th XI enjoyed one of the biggest wins of the hockey season as they beat Watton 3rd XI 21-0, youngsters Sophia Bassest (9) and Amelia Barclay (7) were on fire as goals from Ellie Hobden, Charlotte Gundry, Allison McLellan and two from Bev Cushion sent the 5s rocketing to the top of Norfolk Division 2.  
 

LADIES 6TH XI - 26/11/2016 VS YARMOUTH 2 (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens 6th XI 
DATE: 26/11/2016 
FIXTURE: Womens 6th XI VS 26/11/2016 
HEADLINE: Determined Sixes 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK LEAGUE DIVISION 2 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Cliff Park Academy 
RESULT: 4-0 Win 
 
REPORT: 
 
City take their best game to promotion challengers Yarmouth 
 
City expected a tough match against Yarmouth, who are just below them in the league tables and fighting for promotion, so the team took their best game with them to Cliff Park. 
 
During warm up players struggled to work out how to play on a Yarmouth astro surface which seemed devoid of bounce compared to the Taverham pitch and made the ball move much slower. Captain Julia Marchant gave a strict and motivating team talk and insisted the team play safe, short passes on the challenging astro turf and head out fighting and strong from the first whistle. Julia was convinced the team could win it by playing a tight game, marking out key players and passing carefully to avoid turning the ball over to a goal-hungry Yarmouth. 
 
City also brought some luck with them too. It was a surprisingly sunny, warm day and City opted to play the first half with the low sun behind them. Fortunately, by the second half the sky had clouded over a little so the team avoided playing into the sun at all.  
 
The Norwich team played tough and pressed hard from the start, blocking numerous Yarmouth attacks with co-ordinated midfield play from POM Maria Marsh and Carey Briggs together with strong, co-ordinated defensive teamwork at the very back. 
 
It took a few minutes to break down the Yarmouth defensive wall which seemed to intercept any balls heading towards their goal, but soon city found a way out and round and 10 minutes into play, attacker Sharon Phillips scored a carefully-placed goal when Fran Cooke threaded a ball neatly through the Yarmouth defense. 
 
Yarmouth seemed surprised and out of sorts and their heads went down. A few minutes later a powerful ball into the D from Josine Van Den Berg found Sharon Phillips again who kept her cool and slotted a second past the keeper. 
 
City went into the break two nil up and were determined to keep a clean sheet in their defensive goal. 
 
The second half saw City ramp the pressure up and the hard work soon paid off when captain Julia Marchant deftly lifted the ball over the keeper who had dived to the floor during a goal mouth scramble. 
 
Yarmouth had several nail-biting attacks and goalie Anna Linsmith made several fantastic saves to keep Yarmouth off the scoresheet. Yarmouth also broke through in a three on one. It looked like a certain goal, but they fluffed the ball left and wide of the goal and couldn’t finish into the net. 
 
The final moments of the match, saw Yarmouth under constant attack as central defender Carol McNarry powered some strong balls down the City wing. Finally, another goal mouth scramble saw a fourth goal from City’s Fran Cooke. 
 
A job well done. 
 
Player of the match to Maria Marsh.  
 

LADIES 7TH XI - 26/11/2016 VS HORNETS (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 7th XI 
DATE: 26/11/2016 
FIXTURE: Womens 7th XI VS 26/11/2016 
HEADLINE: NCHC Womens 7s Stung by Hornets 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK LEAGUE DIVISION 3 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: TRF 
RESULT: 1-5 
 
REPORT: The big hitting, direct style and clinical finishing of Hornets caused NCHC Womens 7s problems although the game was probably closer than the scoreline would suggest. A dynamic performance secured Player of the Match for Sarah Smith with an honourable mention to Amy Hinchliffe who showed strong running and determination on the right wing despite picking up a couple of knocks. Although City couldn't match Hornets clinical finishing, the duck was broken through Nicky Warde-Aldam, her first goal of the season and on this evidence there may be more to come.  
 

MENS 1ST XI - 26/11/2016 VS SPALDING (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 1st XI 
DATE: 26/11/2016 
FIXTURE: Mens 1st XI VS 26/11/2016 
HEADLINE: City leave it late 
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION B 
VENUE: 
RESULT: 
 
REPORT: 
 
Norwich City Men’s 1s travelled away to Spalding for a big top of the table clash that they knew could prove decisive by the end of the season, when all’s said and done. City started well, with the elected man to man marking system through midfield minimising the strength of the Spalding threat. City dominated early play with good ball retention and passing moves inside the Spalding half and went 1-0 up when Dave Skinner went through on goal and selflessly, somewhat to the surprise of his teammates, slipped the ball to Jeremy Elliott with a well-timed pass to eliminate the keeper. City continued in this manner and with a reduced use of the aerial had good possession. In fact, the reduced use of this weapon meant that when it was used it was more dangerous. This was proved when Tom Cooke threw a 23 to 23 aerial to Nick Jones who had made a run from midfield past the forward line, who had sucked the defence up the pitch. Unfortunately the keeper was quickly off his line to close down the shooting angle as the ball was being brought down and the keeper saved the resulting half volley ‘Gretzky’ slap. Against the run of play Spalding equalised when they clinically converted a penalty corner through a powerful drag flick to level the score at 1-1. The score remained until halftime to which City felt a bit hard done by after playing some excellent hockey in the first half and creating the majority of the chances including striking the post when Dave Skinner, with his back to goal and just one man marking him, turned onto his backhand and struck the post half way up. 
 
City, however, remained unperturbed and started the second half in much the same manner as they had played the first half. They again took the lead after breaking from a Spalding penalty corner, the ball eventually reaching Gabriel Marchant on the right hand side of the D who applied a diving finish, neatly slipping the ball under the onrushing keeper as he was going to ground. The lead was short lived however, as rather disappointingly City lost focus on the restart and Spalding scored another equaliser within 30 seconds of the ball being in the goal at the other end. Moments later, with City still hurting from this setback, Spalding managed to take the lead for the first time in the match to go 3-2 up. City tried to recollect themselves and were still playing good hockey for the majority of the half, so knew there would still be chances to come. As the game went on and City started to press more and more to get back on terms the game lost most of its structure and became a very frantic affair. This in fact played into City hands, as with bundles of pace throughout the squad they managed to exploit the space on the pitch. This bore fruit when Ben Plumb rolled his marker and accelerated into the space behind him towards the back line, only to be fowled from behind by the Spalding lynch pin. With only 5 minutes to go this saw him sit out the rest of the game after a yellow card was produced by the umpire. Desperate to take something from the game City ramped the intensity and press up with all they had left, with George Anthony pulling the strings in midfield and really imposing himself on the game. City made the extra man count almost immediately when Tom Cooke fired his ‘regionally renowned’ slider to Dave Skinner on the right wing. With numerous City players flooding forward into the opposition D and surprisingly not many Spalding defenders back, David Skinner crossed and found Nick Jones steaming in at the back post to make a composed two touch finish into the net as the keeper tried to scramble from his near post to the far. City knew this gave them the ascendency and, with the extra man advantage still, believed they could go on and win it. It appeared as if City had missed their opportunity to win the match when George Anthony played in Jeremy Elliott on the left hand side of the D, and, when trying to find Dave Skinner on the far post to return the earlier favour (yes, you are reading this right, these two are trying to lay on goals for each other!!), he fluffed his lines. However, the game was not done yet. With less than two minutes to go, George Anthony, reading the game like a book all day long, made yet another interception high up the pitch and found Nick Jones bursting into the D on the left hand side. He beat the defender closing him down, pulling the ball onto his backhand and striking the ball low into the far corner. Arms stretched out either side of him, he wheeled away in celebration knowing he had clinched the win. The game was effectively seen out when some nous from Nick Jones was used to waste the reaming time of the game in the corner of the pitch as the Spalding players, could not win the ball off him without either fowling or putting the ball out of play. 
 
The final score was 4-3 to Norwich City, earning a crucial three points in the title race. 
 

MENS 2ND XI - 26/11/2016 VS EAST LONDON (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 2nd XI 
DATE: 26/11/2016 
FIXTURE: Mens 2nd XI VS 26/11/2016 
HEADLINE: City's unbeaten run comes to an end!  
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 1 
VENUE: TRF 
RESULT: 0-2 Loss 
 
REPORT: 
City welcomed East London to the Taverham H2O. In the early stages City had to stay patient with East London applying a half court press in the first half. However, City never fell into the trap. It took patients from Alex Scott and Jim Pallister at the back to ensure city maintained possession. As the first half went on, City started to break through the opposition defence. A great spell of attacking play from Richard Silvester and Matt Fretwell lead to short corners for city. However, the ball never seemed to find the target. Half time, 0-0. 
 
 
 
In the second half East London stepped up the tempo pressing City higher up the pitch. This caught City by surprise and lead to the City defensive line coming under heavy pressure. It took solid defending from Sam Bingham, Clive, Alex Scott and Jim Pallister to keep East London at bay. However, half way through the second half City conceded their first short corner and painfully for City, East London capitalised. Just 5 minutes later another short corner was conceded. Despite the fast running of Ali Shearer, who was able to stop the initial shot from the top of the circle, the ball fell to a East London player who made it 2-0. City battled on in the last 10 minutes winning two short corners and hitting the post, but the score remained and finished 2-0, the ball just simply wouldn't go in. 
 
 
 
Overall, a disappointing result for City as they had the majority of the chances and probably should have gone into half time leading. The halfway stage to the season has arrived and on reflection, City will be happy with the way they ended the first half of the season and will be looking to pick up points in the early stages of the second half, by carrying on their recent run of good form. 

MENS 3RD XI - 26/11/2016 VS PELICANS (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 26/11/2016 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 26/11/2016 
HEADLINE: Valuable Points Dropped by City 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 2 NORTH 
VENUE: Pelicans 
RESULT: Norwich City 3s : 1 - 2 : Pelicans 
 
REPORT: 
The match started with a high tempo for both teams exchanging attacking moves in an end to end exchange, but with no luck for either team. Norwich’ early chances fell to George Brine, Cameron Cooke and Matt Brine who all narrowly missed their chances. Norwich City won the first corner of the game and was narrowly denied the lead when Chris Perry’ drag flick was turned round the post by the postman. The dead lock was broken finally by Norwich City with some great inter linking play between Harry Patterson and Cameron Cooke to feed George Brine in for a 1 on 1 with the Pelican’ keeper, Brine kept a cool head and left the keeper with little chance of saving the ball after executing a very cheeky chip to beat the oncoming keeper. Norwich’ lead was short lived however when Pelican’ intercepted a stray pass and found themselves on the better end of an over load on their attack. They worked the ball well into the circle and the attacker found a top corner with the subsequent shot giving keep Ben Millett little chance of a save given the close range shot. The half end with at 1-1 in what was a very equally matched game. 
The 2nd half continued as the first finished with a lot of play in the middle of the pitch with little meaningful attacks for either side. Norwich found themselves with a player advantage twice in the half but were unable to capitalise on this and the score remained 1-1. With about 15 minutes to go Pelicans won a short corner, the shot was a drag flick just off centre both keeper and defender went for the shot but unfortunately for Norwich the ball took a horrible top edge off defender Chris Perry and saw the ball rise above Millett’s glove to give Pelican’ the lead. Norwich attempted to get back in to the game but the Pelicans defense stood strong and repelled all the efforts that Norwich mounted on the Pelicans goal. Cameron Cooke also picked up a yellow card for what could only be described as a true attackers tackle and left the umpire with little choice but to send him to the bin, Norwich managed to keep the score line during his suspension. Fred Antony’ last minute cross from Norwich’ last attack came closest eventually hitting the goal post but no Norwich play was able to get the touch required to see it home. 
The game ended 2-1 to Pelicans in what was probably the most even game Norwich have played this season. A frustrating game for both teams and Norwich were unlucky to leave with nothing after what was one of their better performances. 
 

MENS 4TH XI - 26/11/2016 VS NORTH NORFOLK (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 4th XI 
DATE: 26/11/2016 
FIXTURE: Mens 4th XI VS 26/11/2016 
HEADLINE: Another disapointing defeat for City's 4s 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Cromer High School 
RESULT: 5-3 Loss 
 
REPORT: 
City again had a disappointing day as they lost 5-3 away to North Norfolk, Josh Bailey scored a great reverse stick goal, as well as a classy finish from Adie Land and PC from Rees Leonard these goals weren't enough as the problems lie at the other end as a 4s shipped 5 goals for the 7th time this season. One positive however POTM for a returning Jack Ingham.  

MENS 5TH XI - 26/11/2016 VS UEA 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 5th XI 
DATE: 26/11/2016 
FIXTURE: Mens 5th XI VS 26/11/2016 
HEADLINE: Young keeper saves the day! 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 4 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Home 
RESULT: Won 2-1 
 
REPORT: A report is needed to BUSA to complain that UEA are not proper students - they turned up having had a quiet Friday night in, sobre and ready to play a morning match! Within minutes City had a short corner which Geoff Spencer tucked away to give the team an early lead. UEA then found their feet and attacked in waves. Young keeper, Eddie D, was outstanding and played way beyond his years. A few decisions went against City along with a yellow card for JP. This led to a feisty period before Ash Bird jumped onto the end of Geoff Spencer's aerial to round the keeper and score an excellent second goal for City. UEA threw the kitchen sink at City for the remaining 15 minutes but resolute defending and exceptional keeping saw City over the line for a well deserved victory. Only one person for man of the match - keeper, Eddie D! 
 

MENS 6TH XI - 26/11/2016 VS NORWICH DRAGONS 5 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 6th XI 
DATE: 26/11/2016 
FIXTURE: Mens 6th XI VS 26/11/2016 
HEADLINE: Just got the points 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 6 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT: Won 1-0 
 
REPORT:A good display and a deserved goal in the last five minutes from a short corner meant that three precious points came our way. Coupland was outstanding in the middle of the field and brought the average age down in the team. Ady ran everywhere and Rob Coyle saved everything. A deserved win. 
 

MENS 7TH XI - 26/11/2016 VS SUDBURY 4 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 7th XI 
DATE: 26/11/2016 
FIXTURE: Mens 7th XI VS 26/11/2016 
HEADLINE: Virtual Hat tricj for James Hewett 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 6 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: GREAT CORNARD LEISURE CENTRE 
RESULT: SUDBURY 4 2 NORWICH CITY 7 2 
 
REPORT: 
City twice fought back to earn a hard fought point away at Sudbury thanks to two short corner conversions from James Hewett who was denied a hat-trick by an earlier decision. 
The day started badly for City when Dan Jeffers called off with an injured back, but an eleventh hour call was answered by Peter Wright to ensure that City had a full complement for the vast majority of the game. 
City were immediately under pressure from a youthful Sudbury side and swift counter attacks became the order of the day. The City defence were working overtime to keep the Sudbury attacks at bay, but eventually succumbed midway through the first half as Sudbury took the lead. In a spell of City pressure before the break City thought they had equalised when James Hewett's drag flick beat the keeper, but their joy was short lived as the shot was cruelly adjudged to have been outside the circle. 
After the break City came more into the game creating more attacks and short corners. From one short corner a mis-trap fell to Ben Chapman who moved the ball left to Ali Wardale who moved it further left to James Hewett who had time and space to pick his spot for the equaliser. 
The game was now flowing end to end though Sudbury's pace of attack was leaving City a little short handed. City regained the lead after a goalmouth scramble, though City were slightly aggrieved that in the build up to the goal a lifted ball went unpunished. City kept fighting and from another short corner the ball was once more slipped left to James Hewett who once again found the target, this time slapping the ball just inside the far post. 
City then defended as though their lives depended on it for the last few minutes to earn a hard fought draw. Everyone contributed and man of the match could have gone to anyone but for a virtual hat trick it was awarded to James Hewett. 
 

MENS DEVELOPMENT XI - 26/11/2016 VS NORWICH DRAGONS A (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens Development XI 
DATE: 26/11/2016 
FIXTURE: Mens Development XI VS 26/11/2016 
HEADLINE: Final quarter flourish 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Dragons' Den 
RESULT: Dragons A 4-1 Norwich City 
 
REPORT: If ever there was a game of four quarters this was it. City's classy passing dominated the opening quarter with Rio Iaccarino and Elliot Fox in imperious form. However, the second quarter saw Dragons' adopt a quick and effective counter-attacking style that City struggled to defend. A slick City move down the left with Rocco and Rio Iaccarino and Monty Platt looked to open the scoring but one errant pass saw Dragons turn defence into attack and in a four pass move simply split the City defence and leave Ethan Rushton no chance in the City goal.  
 
The second half started evenly balanced but Dragons extended their lead when Jonty Black was unlucky to see his initial block of a shot deflect into the goal. This lucky break led to Dragons dominating the remainder of the quarter and extending their lead despite the valiant efforts of Rushton in the City goal. 
 
In a bizarre fourth quarter City literally laid siege to the Dragons goal. A 'tap-in' from Robert McCall made it 3-1 before. A Dragons counter attack made it 4-1. Then in a final 10 minutes City could easily have levelled the scores or even won the match with a string of penalty corners and shots that Dragons somehow managed block or edge round the post. 
 
City's man of the match was Rio Iaccarino.