Results

LADIES 2ND XI - 28/01/2017 VS UEA 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 2nd XI 
DATE: 28/01/2017 
FIXTURE: Womens 2nd XI VS 28/01/2017 
HEADLINE: Francis 'flicks' her way to a hat-trick!  
LEAGUE: NORFOLK PREMIER DIVISION 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: TRF 
RESULT: Won 6-2 
 
REPORT:  
City were in the mood for another high intensity match after last week's convincing win against Broadland. Sharp passing from midfielder Angela Hindle and leading runs from Matilda Warde-Aldam saw City putting pressure on their circle. It wasn't long before Emily Francis scored with a looping shot over the keeper.  
City continued to dominate with excellent interlinking between Ellie Pitcher and Karren Dagless on the left and Leigh-Ann Worrall and Annabelle Phoenix on the right. Keeping up the pace, Kate Hartland made it 2-0 with a strike from the post. 
The third goal came from a short corner when Millie Brown drove a rebound into the backboard.  
 
After half time, we continued with the pace and determination of the first half, and found three more goals. Two came from penalty flicks: a UEA body deflected a shot on goal and deliberate fouling against captain Rosie Humphrey. Emily Francis put both firmly in the left corner, getting her hat-trick. Kate Hartland put her second goal past the keeper after some fast passing down the left.  
 
A great game and a well deserved 3 points. Final score: 6-2. 

LADIES 3RD XI - 28/01/2017 VS DEREHAM 3 (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens 3rd XI 
DATE: 28/01/2017 
FIXTURE: Womens 3rd XI VS 28/01/2017 
HEADLINE:  
LEAGUE: NORFOLK PREMIER DIVISION 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE:Dereham 
RESULT:1-0 win 
 
REPORT: 
Norwich City womens 3rds had to make amends this week for a slightly lacklustre performance last week against UEA. And City 3rds did not disappoint in a fast paced, end to end match against Dereham 3rds.  
 
Dereham and City played an equally hard and fast game, and throughout there were chances that were begging to be put in the net for both teams, but good defending from both sides saw them thwarted. Neither team being able to convert any chances by the end of the first half.  
 
It was anyone's guess as to how long either team could keep up the intensity, City had a good spell of pressure on the Dereham defence, and with both determination and patience the effort finally paid off with a shot by Emily Greenway pounced upon and finished off by sister Liv Greenway lifting City's spirit.  
 
Dereham then began to play the long ball through from the back to their forwards and occasionally looked dangerous on the attack and with a ball slipping through the City defence an opportunity for Dereham arose with a one-on-one with City's goal keeper Summer Haylock who handled the pressure with ease and forced the player to put the shot wide of the goal. Another Dereham shot hitting the post was deflected across the goal but calmly cleared by City's defence. Dereham fought to get themselves back into the game right up to the final whistle but City just had the edge to bag the 3 points.  
 
POTM: Megan Conway 
 

LADIES 4TH XI - 28/01/2017 VS EVERGREENS 1 (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens 4th XI 
DATE: 28/01/2017 
FIXTURE: Womens 4th XI VS 28/01/2017 
HEADLINE:  
LEAGUE: NORFOLK PREMIER DIVISION 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Greshams School 
RESULT: Norwich City 4th team 2 - Evergreens 1st team 0  
 
REPORT: 
 
An early morning fixture at Evergreens for the Norwich City 4th team. City started slowly and took a while to wake up. Evergreens piled on some early pressure. However some great defending and goalkeeping meant no early lead was taken. Against the run of play City had a fantastic quick break leading to a goal by Anna Horsley. 
 
The second half started again with City under pressure. Evergreens were getting frustrated as they could not score even though they had numerous short corners. Again City took there chance and scored there second goal at a straight strike at goal from a penalty corner by Maddie Anthony. 
 
Norwich City held tight to the result and played the end of the second half with calm heads holding on well to there 2-0 lead. Well played Eadie in goal and overall another great team performance for Norwich City 4th team. Well done Emily Spencer for player of the match.  
 

LADIES 5TH XI - 28/01/2017 VS NORTH NORFOLK 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 5th XI 
DATE: 28/01/2017 
FIXTURE: Womens 5th XI VS 28/01/2017 
HEADLINE: No easy match 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK LEAGUE DIVISION 2 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Taverham  
RESULT: 1-0 
 
REPORT: A bright sunny start to what was going to be no easy match with once again a depleted team. Both teams started off fighting but the first half saw Norwich wanting it more. Shear determination & grit saw Carolyn fight past North Norfolk defenders in the D sneaking the ball past the goalie & scoring. At half time the score was still 1-0, the weather started to change to but Norwich's game was still on the ball. Most of the second half was played in North Norfolks defending half. There was some great play down the right wing from Ellie, her speed was no match for the other team. She had some great passes into the D but Norwich just couldn't convert. Final score 1-0, player of the match Ellie Hobden. Many thanks to Sharon & Carolyn from the 6's who helped us out. 
 

LADIES 6TH XI - 28/01/2017 VS HERLINGS (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 6th XI 
DATE: 28/01/2017 
FIXTURE: Womens 6th XI VS 28/01/2017 
HEADLINE: A wall of City yellow needed to block Herlings' power hits 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK LEAGUE DIVISION 2 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT: City 4 - Herlings nil 
REPORT: 
Herlings, the last-remaining Norfolk club with a grass home pitch, looked dangerous in the first half. Their traditional-style of play, with its signature mighty hits, proved a challenge for the home team, repeatedly breaking through and having to be picked up a vigilant City defence.  
Similarly, any Norwich breaks were stopped in their tracks by a hefty Herlings’ defence line.  
The first half ended at a nil-nil draw. 
City had had a rethink at half time with much-appreciated help from pitch-side coach Dave Skinner and team strategy expert captain Julia Marchant.  
From the whistle, City now had the measure of Herlings, blocking passes much higher up the pitch and using their pace to drive forward. Herlings were finally on the retreat.  
Wave after wave of City attacks resulted in a short corner where Liz Hollis converted a brilliant pass from Josine Van Den Berg. 
Birthday girl Carol McNarry was on form today, blocking players coming through in midfield and passing up to daughter Lucy on the right wing. She also scored the second goal for City, firing in a powerful, long shot. 
City were finally off the back foot and in more control of the game, pressing much higher than in the first half with a wall of yellow and green and managing to stop most of the Herlings’ grass-style hits in midfield rather than letting them through.  
The third City goal came from Fran Cooke, showing amazing stick skills to take the ball into the D herself and make her way through the defence to find the net. It was one of the most impressive 6s goals of the season. 
Then with 10 minutes left to play, Liz Hollis scored again threading the ball through a series of Herlings legs to find the net. 
POM Liz Hollis 
 

MENS 1ST XI - 28/01/2017 VS HAVERING (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 1st XI 
DATE: 28/01/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 1st XI VS 28/01/2017 
HEADLINE: Slow start costs City dearly 
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION B 
VENUE: TRF 
RESULT: 2-2 
 
REPORT: 
 
Norwich City started much below par their usual selves and for the first 20/25mins were very lacklustre. Still Havering didn’t create too much themselves, but on the two opportunities they had they converted both of them. The first came from a short corner, where a deflected shot at the far post somehow found its way across the line after a series of ricochets. The second coming as City were caught napping after thinking (correctly, but that’s beside the point) that they would be awarded the free hit when an aerial was thrown to a marked forward. However, the umpire had given it the other way and the City backline was exposed after it was taken quickly; Havering making the most the unmarked men in the D. Just before halftime City began to find some sort of play and David Skinner pulled one back with a swept reverse stick shot to the near post. 
 
Norwich began to work their way back into the game further in the second half piling on the pressure. Havering’s tactics were clear – ‘shut up the shop’. They defended with all men behind the ball making it very difficult for City to break through. However, an equalizer was eventually found when Ed Sutton drove into the right hand side of the D and buried a low drive into the far left corner with a sweet strike. Norwich huffed and puffed for the rest of the game, but as the minutes ticked away they become more and more desperate for the winner and began to force the play becoming too direct. The winner eluded them and the final score finished 2-2. 
 

MENS 2ND XI - 28/01/2017 VS CITY OF PETERBOROUGH 3 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 2nd XI 
DATE: 28/01/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 2nd XI VS 28/01/2017 
HEADLINE: MOTM Duffy is fined heavily for forgetting the match report 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 1 
VENUE: Peterborough HC 
RESULT: 1-2 City Win 
 
REPORT: 
City took the long trip along the A47 to Peterborough in good spirits. Last week’s performance against top of the table Bourne Deeping had given them confidence going into this weeks must win, season defining, cant loose, at all costs, 6 pointer.  
Unfortunately whilst city started the stronger, it was the officials who stole the show in the first 20 mins when a clear clown sized foot stopped plumbs goal bound effort from crossing the goal line. 
City and especially captain Hindle were left spitting feathers and to compound their frustration they then conceded against the run of play. 
What then followed was a complete collapse in standard and concentration. City played arguably their worst 10 mins of hockey all season, and were lucky to reach the break only 1 goal down. 
At half time captain Hindle had to rally the troops and, as mentioned earlier, this was a season defining moment. City simply had to win.  
City started the second half brightly but still looked nervous. Ainsthorpe in goal had to make one or two saves whilst city slowly found their feet. After 15 mins city found a goal. A well worked short corner found Cox at the top of the D and he duly placed the ball through the advancing keepers legs. City erupted in relief… game on!  
As the confidence grew and the need for the second intensified city got the winner. A scrappy goal that found Cheesman trying to pass across the goal line only for the Peterborough defender to smash in a great finish past his own goal keeper. Now we know that there are no such things as own goals in hockey but if there was… this would be one!  
City then had to hang on for their lives and put their bodies (or sticks) on the line. Corden taking a nasty hit to the foot and Hindle seeing Green for an unlucky (and spectacular all at the same time) stick tackle on the half way line. The final whistle blew and city’s season goes on… Not the best day at the office but an important one.  
City play at home next and face Shefford and Sandy.  
 

MENS 3RD XI - 28/01/2017 VS IES 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 28/01/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 28/01/2017 
HEADLINE: 2 Goals + Clean Sheet = 3 Points 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 2 NORTH 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT: Norwich 2 : 0 IES  
 
REPORT: 
City started this week’s fixture against IES 2s with a fire in their belly after the previous week loss, they knew nothing but 3 points from this game would do. 
City started positively building play well through the midfield and maintaining possession, this being said City struggled to create many meaningful chances going into the circle to test the IES keeper. IES were attempting to play the long game but the new defensive unit of Ling and Perry were more than up to the challenge and for the few occasions where IES broke through keeper Jewers saw off with confidence. City won a string of corners but were unable to convert with Lands attempt coming closest with an attempted deflection narrowly missing the goal. It was late into the first half when City broke the deadlock though a very solo goal from Matt Brine. A well worked piece of possession from the City midfield found Brine just outside the circle and with a nifty bit of one handed skill managed to beat 3 players to lead him into the circle being pushed wide he found himself close to the back line but with a pin point shot was able to beat the keeper at his near post. IES attempted to level things straight away with an onslaught of attacks but City were able to hold their lead going in to half time. 
City had started to over complicate their play towards the end of the first half and the team were reminded at half time to revert back to simple hockey and to keep the ball, which they did. City held the ball well in the 2nd half with the midfield unit of Jackman, Taylor, Cushion, Hooper, Fletcher and Brine but for all the possession City were struggling once again to create chances in the circle for Brine, Land, Konieczny and Leonard to make anything of. City were able to double their lead ahlf way through the half from a short corner, Perry and Land playing a 1-2 and leaving Perry with a virtual open goal which he didn’t miss. City had a good lead now and started to relax more on the ball leading to more possession making it more and more difficult for IES to get back into the match. With the IES press pressing higher and higher City resorted to the long aerial ball to relieve the pressure, this almost lead to 2 great chances. The first was narrowly missed by Brine who couldn’t quite catch the ball after the initial bounce and the 2nd was missed by Leonard when trying to round the keeper. City saw out the end half to keep a clean sheet and pick up 3 well needed and earned points. 
Man of the match was awarded to Jake Cushion on his debut in the 3rd team and had an outstanding game, it was a very close with Ralph Jackman who also had an outstanding game. City travel to Sudbury next week to try and take more points off this top half the league team. 
 

MENS 4TH XI - 28/01/2017 VS HARLESTON MAGPIES 3 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 4th XI 
DATE: 28/01/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 4th XI VS 28/01/2017 
HEADLINE: Injury to Captain costs City  
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT: Lost 1-5 
 
REPORT: 
City started this Div 3NE match slowly against high flying Magpies 3's and fell behind in the first minute with Jewers unable to stop an acute angled close range shot, 0-1 
 
City soon found their way and a youthful attack began to open up Magpies' defence. However, with 15 minutes gone, the pivotal moment of the game came when City's Captain Ingham attempted a clearance in his 'D' only to see the ball ricochet into his head causing a hospital visit and leaving only 11 players to play out the remaining 55 minutes. 
 
The details are somewhat sketchy from hereon in due to the Captain missing the rest of the game but still needing to write this match report! 
 
As I understand it, Magpies soon went 0-3 ahead only for the ever youthful Jon Kidner to pull one back before the break, 1-3 
 
Two more Magpies goals and a good City performance later and the game finished with Magpies securing a 5-1 win. On a positive note, the Skipper is fixed and will be back in action next week! 
 
MOTM: Josh Bailey 
 

MENS 5TH XI - 28/01/2017 VS NORWICH DRAGONS 3 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 5th XI 
DATE: 28/01/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 5th XI VS 28/01/2017 
HEADLINE: Not so good 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 4 NORTH EAST 
VENUE:away 
RESULT:lost 5-0 
 
REPORT: 
Having 15 players is sometimes a blessing, particularly when you have a 
long away trip to Ipswich, but not when you are down the road to one of 
the teams pushing for promotion. We started off the more positive of the 
two teams with a few early chances. After soaking up the pressure, the 
opposition hit us quickly on the break with 4 goals in about 5 minutes 
which shaped the outcome of the game. City worked hard before the break 
and created more chances but they did not take them. Dragons picked up 
another quick goal afte the break which ended the contest. Some positives 
to take, but lots to learn 

MENS 7TH XI - 28/01/2017 VS DEREHAM 4 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 7th XI 
DATE: 28/01/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 7th XI VS 28/01/2017 
HEADLINE: 7's lose to lat goal 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 6 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: LYNNSPORT, KINGS LYNN 
RESULT: PELICANS 4's 1 NORWICH CITY 7's 0 
 
REPORT: 
With a high level of unavailability across the club it wasn't until an hour prior to departure for Pelicans that a bare 11 was finalised. David Broadway and Dave Brown had kindly joined the squad to ensure a bare 11. Playing the team who were fourth in the league was likely to be a tough ask and with no recognised Centre Half Dan Jeffers was asked to fill in.  
The home team started brightly causing the City defence to work overtime, but James Dorling, Julian Blake, Dave Brown and Joby Castlo-Hall plus keeper Dave King repelled everything that was thrown at them.  
City then started to mount counter attacks of their own using the pace of David Broadway, Lee Allsop and Gautham Narayanan prompted by Man of the Match Dan Jeffers. The speed of City's attacks caused Pelicans problems but City couldn't apply the final touch.  
City's performance was in sharp contrast to last weeks below par performance with all eleven players performing exceptionally well, Keinan Barber and Nathan Dixon producing their best performances to date. 
A well contested match continued in the same vein to the final whistle and with a goalless draw looking the likely outcome Pelicans took advantage of a quick free hit two minutes from time to find a striker free at the top of the circle who powered home.  
The game was played in great spirit and was a great advert for the game of hockey. 
 
 
 

MENS DEVELOPMENT XI - 28/01/2017 VS NORWICH DRAGONS A (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens Development XI 
DATE: 28/01/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens Development XI VS 28/01/2017 
HEADLINE: Perfect dozen 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Dereham 
RESULT: Norwich City 12 - 0 Dereham 
 
REPORT: 
From the outset it became apparent that City were by far the stronger team and as the score line suggests were dominant throughout. Yes 12-0 sounds good and was good but what was even more pleasing was the way City continued to play neat and mostly simple hockey throughout. The other standout feature of the game was the never give up attitude of a young and inexperienced Dereham team, in this regard they were an absolute credit to themselves, their coaches and their club. 
 
Alex Tomkinson opened the scoring inside the first five minutes with a no nonsense tap in which was quickly followed by goals from Joseph Roy, Jonty Black and Toby Pallister to make it 4-0 after the first quarter. With the luxury of knowing the result was beyond doubt substitutions were many and varied, including an "if you score you're off" policy that all the players embraced. Again, what was pleasing was the way players adapted to often unfamiliar positions and still maintained a pass and move mentality. Who'd have thought of Cameron Husband as a goal poacher (more of that later) or Alex Tomkinson as an inside or Toby Pallister as a sort of forward centre back.....well you just never know until you try! 
 
For the record the goal scorers were Joseph Roy (4); Toby Pallister (2); Ethan Rushton; Freddie Paterson; Jonty Black; Sam Hyatt; Alex Tomkinson; and Cameron Husband. 
 
At half time with the score 8-0 City had two aims, fast passing hockey (mission accomplished), and get a goal for Robert McCall. Why Robert you ask? Well.......he (along with Malachy McDonnell) worked tirelessly all game but Robert's shots just kept finding the keeper, going just wide of the goal or simply getting blocked. There was one move when Ethan, Freddie, Malachy and Jonty all could have (and should have in normal circumstances) shot but instead they resolutely looked to pass to Robert....whose shot would then get blocked!  
 
On the odd occasion (and yes there were more than one or two) when Dereham did attack. Rocco Iaccarino, Cameron Husband and Reuben Cooke snuffled the danger yet still ensured Will Farrow in goal did get to make a few calm and timely saves. 
 
And now back to that Cameron Husband "incident". Picture the scene, the team desperate to set Robert up with a goal, a delightful move down the right, neat interplay in the D, Freddie Paterson with a golden chance to score but instead selflessly passes the ball virtually across the goal line to Robert.....up steps Cam and flicks the ball high into the net.  
 
Man of the match could have been anybody but for sheer effort for the cause the award went to Robert McCall.