Results

MENS 1ST XI - 28/11/2020 VS WAPPING 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 1st XI 
DATE: 28/11/2020 
FIXTURE: Mens 1st XI VS 28/11/2020 
HEADLINE: Match Cancelled due to 2nd National Lockdown! 
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION A 
VENUE: 
RESULT: 
 
REPORT: 
 

MENS 1ST XI - 21/11/2020 VS CAMBRIDGE CITY 2 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 1st XI 
DATE: 21/11/2020 
FIXTURE: Mens 1st XI VS 21/11/2020 
HEADLINE: Match Cancelled due to 2nd National Lockdown! 
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION A 
VENUE: 
RESULT: 
 
REPORT: 
 

MENS 1ST XI - 19/11/2020 VS NORWICH SCHOOL 1 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 1st XI 
DATE: 19/11/2020 
FIXTURE: Mens 1st XI VS 19/11/2020 
HEADLINE: Match Cancelled due to 2nd National Lockdown! 
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION A 
VENUE: 
RESULT: 
 
REPORT: 
 

MENS 1ST XI - 14/11/2020 VS SAFFRON WALDEN 1 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 1st XI 
DATE: 14/11/2020 
FIXTURE: Mens 1st XI VS 14/11/2020 
HEADLINE: Match Cancelled due to 2nd National Lockdown! 
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION A 
VENUE: 
RESULT: 
 
REPORT: 
 

MENS 1ST XI - 08/11/2020 VS BURY ST EDMUNDS 1 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 1st XI 
DATE: 08/11/2020 
FIXTURE: Mens 1st XI VS 08/11/2020 
HEADLINE: Match Cancelled due to 2nd National Lockdown! 
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION A 
VENUE: 
RESULT: 
 
REPORT: 
 

MENS 1ST XI - 07/11/2020 VS CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY 1 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 1st XI 
DATE: 07/11/2020 
FIXTURE: Mens 1st XI VS 07/11/2020 
HEADLINE: Match Cancelled due to 2nd National Lockdown! 
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION A 
VENUE: 
RESULT: 
 
REPORT: 
 

MENS 1ST XI - 31/10/2020 VS OLD SOUTHENDIAN 1 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 1st XI 
DATE: 31/10/2020 
FIXTURE: Mens 1st XI VS 31/10/2020 
HEADLINE: Norwich go into lockdown on Low after 5 game win streak comes to an end 
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION A 
VENUE: Taverham  
RESULT: 2-3  
 
REPORT: 
It was a cold and wet welcome to Norwich for Southend but they didn’t let that affect them and came at Norwich from the off. Fortunately we were able to stop most of their attacks and maintained control and build some momentum through dominating possession for most of the half. Both sides had a couple Short corners and passes across the face of goal but both Goalkeepers were equal to their opposition. But with 2 minutes to go an Alistair Cooke save fell to Felix Broadway who played a long ball forward to Chris Wardale who showed his skill to beat 2 defenders and reverse hit into the opposite top corner, Southends’ GK unlucky to lose his clean sheet to a wondrous strike. 1-0 HT. 
 
Happy to go in ahead but knew there was more in the tank to stamp ourselves on the game and secure the victory.  
 
The first 10 minutes of the second half were similar until Southend won a short corner and with a loopy & slow flick perfectly used to deceive the post man it was 1-1. The first halves hard work to build to that goal undone but if you give away 7 flicks, 1 is bound to go in eventually. Old Southendians doubled down on the hurt by 1 minute later breaking out of midfield with a really silk piece of play wide right, a ball across the face, deflection saved by Alistair but the rebound fell to an unmarked attacker for an open net finish. 2-1 Southend, Norwich now the deserved underdogs. 
 
Spent the next 10 minutes trying to regain our heads and build some momentum with Southend rightly sitting back to soak up our pressure. Luckily enough with 15 minutes to go we scored a similarly messy but well-earned rebound goal with Stu Wardle the one to plant the ball into the empty net.  
 
Even at 2-2 Southend continued to sit back and wait for their chance to pounce. And pounce they did, good internal press in midfield led to a quick counter similar to their second goal and with a deflection in they had the 1 goal with 5 minutes to go. We tried our hardest to get the equaliser but unfortunately our last minute luck clearly ran out in weeks 1 and 2 and it wasn’t to be. 
 
A good second half to watch but a very annoying one to now have to dwell on for 4 weeks for the team. Southend deserved the result and we’ve learnt a tough lesson that there’s no bad days allowed in Prem A especially when Wapping & Cambridge Uni are chasing hot on your heels for 1st place. Who knows what will occur with hockey post lockdown but one thing we know is we're more than in the hunt 1 point behind and nothing has really changed in who we need to beat, we’ve just lost our 1 mistake. Stay safe and stay fit over lockdown and we’ll be ready to go against whoever the league decide it will be! 
 

MENS 1ST XI - 24/10/2020 VS CHELMSFORD 1 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 1st XI 
DATE: 24/10/2020 
FIXTURE: Mens 1st XI VS 24/10/2020 
HEADLINE: Norwich make hard work of it, but maintain 100% start in Chelmsford 
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION A 
VENUE: Chelmer Park 
RESULT: 5-3  
 
REPORT: 
A deceptively long journey due to the lack of quality roads in norfolk but a place we're more than familiar with after a 1-0 win there in pre season 7 weeks ago. We were looking for simialr fortunes yesterday. 
 
And despite a start were we had 80% possession in the first 10 minutes we found ourselves 2-0 down after Chelmsford forced plenty of errors and broke quickly on 3/4 occasions to score a flick from a short corner and an open hit from the top of the D.  
 
We were shocked to say the least but we all knew we had more to give and slowly eased into the game. And finally after continuing to maintain possession we strung together more than 3 passes and with some quick play in the D from Cam Cooke, Chris Wardale and a lovely dive at the back post from Jack Ingham we were back in the game. 2-1. 
 
And 2 Short Corners later it was all square as Cam Cooke slipped to Tom Cooke who slapped home. Unfortunately Chelmsford retook the lead before HT, NC fairly happy to go in 1 down after how we'd started. 
 
Rousing team talk from Marts and the team in agreement that we could do better in every part of our game, we begun the second half and what a stunning display it was. 
 
Tom cooke secured a quality brace with a slap from the top of D this time. Cam Cooke added to his brother's goal to compete the comeback with a superb individual effort after a bad touch taking him out the D he then beat 3 defenders and reversed calmly into the bottom corner for a fantastic way to take the lead with 20 minutes to go. 
 
The lead was extended a few minutes later when we saw the first Norwich city hattrick for the long time feature in the Mens 1s Tom Cooke and a MOTM to go alongside, well deserved after a complete performance to assist in defending, often being the starting point for attacks and obviously being there to score 3 well deserved goals.  
 
For the first time we managed to keep our 2 goal margin and not make it hard in the final stages and were fortunate to have a calm and assured defensive wall that chelmsford couldnt break. Ended 5-3. 
 
Fantastic recovery after being 2 down inside 10 minutes, many teams wouldve thrown in the towel but with a superb 2nd half we more than deserved the full 3 pts, maintaining our strong position in the league. Bring on Southend coming to us next week! 
 
 

MENS 1ST XI - 17/10/2020 VS IPSWICH 1 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 1st XI 
DATE: 17/10/2020 
FIXTURE: Mens 1st XI VS 17/10/2020 
HEADLINE: Top of The Table Prem A Clash at Taverham  
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION A 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT: 3-2  
 
REPORT: 
 
The 100% start for Norwich and a similarly strong start for neighbours Ipswich meant that despite being only the 4th league game there was far more at stake than the standard 3pts. 
 
The game started cagey with both sides finding their feet on an unusually dry pitch given the last 4 weeks of downpours. Ipswich playing some longs ball in to the D and looking dangerous, City with a few chances of their own and holding most of the possession but both sides struggling to carve out any clear cut chances. 
 
Eventually Ipswich's persistence with the hits in paid off and with a deflection from the P-Spot and had the league. The lads kept their heads and continued to control play and made their pressure pay 5 minutes later. With City scoring their own version of the ipswich goal, Tom Harris playing a lovely ball in from the right to Harry Gill who arrived to deflect home into the opposite bottom corner. 1-1 HT. 
 
Similar strong start to the 2nd Half with Tom Cooke & Felix Broadway mopping up in front of the back as well as superb work rate from our outers (Stu wardle, Louis Preston & Ben chapman) all day to shut down any wide attacks. 
 
A Felix turnover from an ipswich hit led to a Cam Cooke counter, slapping into Harry Gilll at the P-spot from the left, in a symmetrical goal to his first one. We continued to force the issue and with our only short corner of the game, Tom cooke slipped to Cam Cooke who roofed a lovely flick past the Ipswich keeper who'd had a great day but had no chance to stop the attempt. 
 
A few more chances form Chris Wardale, Rafe Lochore & Ben Chapman came and went so the score remained 3-1.  
 
Ipswich put together a few phases of play including 4 Short corners that Alastair Cooke kept out. But with a poor touch and messy clearance they got an open hit from top D. Alastair got a pad to it but couldnt stop it. 
3-2, 10 minutes to go. 
 
Tense last 10 including 2 minutes with 9 men but we defended resolutely, frustrated Ipswich and with a dash of Cam Cooke time wasting we had the 1 goal win.  
 
An amazing 2nd half of hockey, a huge 3 points in our promotion challenge this year, let's keep the streak alive! 
 

MENS 1ST XI - 10/10/2020 VS CITY OF PETERBOROUGH 2 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 1st XI 
DATE: 10/10/2020 
FIXTURE: Mens 1st XI VS 10/10/2020 
HEADLINE: 3 wins from 3 put City top of the league!  
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION A 
VENUE: Dalrod Sports Centre 
RESULT: 6-1  
 
REPORT: 
Another wet October weekend but once again the heavens decided to close and grace us with a dry game just In time for pushback. 
 
We took a few minutes to settle into the game but that allowed us to realise Peterborough had only 2 threats today and shutting them down was the key to our success. 
 
After the patchy first 10-15 minutes we let our superiority show. After beautiful patient play to keep the ball and frustrate Peterborough for a good 2/3 minutes from Alex Scott, Harry brown and Richard Green. A hard ball down the line to chris wardale who swiftly hit a lovely ball into cam Cooke and a deflection into the bottom corner put us 1-0 up.  
 
The tight early stages were forgotten and this lead gave the team all the momentum and we made it pay. Peterborough barely had a sniff for the rest of the half. 
 
Ben Chapman turnover at half way a good drive forward led to a wide ball to rafe lochore on debut who played a beautiful ball to cam Cooke who hit it upright om the half volley from the top of the D, the keeper stood no chance. 2-0. 
 
After briefly going a man down and it unluckily being tom cooke as the umpire knew someone had to go but picked the one player who made a clean tackle in about 5 stick tackles from us in 30 seconds. We rallied and scored another. Rafe and Harry gill decided that they could take on the entire Peterborough back 4 and they weren't wrong, totally outgunned them all for pace, harry got to the baseline and played the ball back across the D for Rafe to plant home from the P-Spot for a lovely debut goal for the 16yr old. Superb future ahead, watch this space.  
 
And we weren't done yet with the first half demolition; similar play to the previous goal, nice play in and out of the centre of the pitch, Louis Preston and Harry gill combining on the baseline to play across to Ben Chapman for an unmarked back post tap-in. 4-0 HT, Peterborough frustrated after the early phases of promise for them. 
 
Half time team talk heavily focused on us not throwing anything away and having to win in the last minute for a third week in a row. And this appeared to be taken onboard as 5 minutes later Harry Gill charged through their midfield having taken a free hit quickly, slammed the ball into Pete Morgan who deflected beautifully from the baseline into the opposite top corner.  
 
Peterborough had their 5th short corner of the game and Alistair cooke once again denied them, much different to his 0/2 last week, he was on top form.  
 
Tom Cooke quickly took a free hit in our half, beat 2 players, played in felix Broadway around the D who dropped a lovely ball into chris wardale who couldnt have hit the ball much harder into the Peterborough net. 6-0. Well deserved goal for the man of the match who'd played a complete role as goal scorer, assister, got a few turnovers and even had spots of tracking back and marking when needed. 
 
Unfortunately with 2 minutes to go and with their 7th short corner of the day, Peterborough removed our clean sheet. Alistair lost his chance at man of the match after his previously perfect 68 minutes.  
 
All in all, another great display, superb start to the season, well deserved top of the table.  
I think we all know we havent hit our best form yet and the huge 1st v 2nd match next week as our first real test will be the perfect time to turn everything up a gear. 
 
Bring on the east coast derby! 
 
 
 
 

MENS 1ST XI - 03/10/2020 VS DEREHAM 1 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 1st XI 
DATE: 03/10/2020 
FIXTURE: Mens 1st XI VS 03/10/2020 
HEADLINE: City Make It 2 Wins From 2 With Another 7 Goal Thriller  
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION A 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT: 4-3 
 
REPORT: 
After last week’s terrible weather to open the season, we went into today’s game with a beautiful patch of dryness gracing us. 
 
A much slower start in comparison to last week but city once again starting the stronger, dominating early possession and territory. Despite a few chances from Harry Gill, Jack Ingham & Cameron Cooke, we couldn't make our dominance pay. Unfortunately Dereham took a free hit quickly bombed down the right hand side to the baseline and played a ball straight to the P-spot for an easy deadlock breaker midway through the first half. 
 
We didn’t let this slow us down, we once again prioritised possession and slowly built attacks, growing in danger over each and every minute. Our determination rewarded, as we finally get one in the back of the net in the 30th minute. An aerial from Thomas Cooke was sent over half the pitch, perfectly touched down on the volley by Cam Cooke, straight into harry gill running through, who calmly moved the goalkeeper away from his goal and slammed the ball past the remaining defender on the line. 
1-1 HT. 
 
With our 3rd Short Corner of the game Tom Cooke took the ball right from the castle and with a lovely hit into the opposite bottom corner we had the lead. Quickly followed by some slick play from Tom Harris and Felix Broadway to get the ball to Harry Gill who cut inside from the left dropped the back into Cam Cooke in the D who proceeded to round the goalkeeper, take his time to open the best angle and roof it home. 3-1. 
 
Our glory was short lived as Dereham got their only 2 Shorts of the game and punished us with both, slightly undeserved comeback but proof of why dropping our focus for 5 minutes can be deadly. Great work from Thomas Cooke, Felix Broadway and Tom Harris as our defensive inners to nullify the late Dereham attacks and regain control and wit a minute to go Chris Wardle slightly fortunate to get an advantage off his thigh and foot but you you make your own luck and he hammered it home for a well-deserved 3 pts. 
 
Once again leaving it to the last attack of the game but maximum pts achieved from 2 home games. We’ve definitely made it harder than they needed to be but can’t complain with 6 points and bring on the first of many away trips next week to Peterborough. 
 

MENS 1ST XI - 26/09/2020 VS LETCHWORTH 1 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 1st XI 
DATE: 26/09/2020 
FIXTURE: Mens 1st XI VS 26/09/2020 
HEADLINE: Opening day finally upon us, didnt disappoint one bit! 
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION A 
VENUE: Taverham  
RESULT: 4-3 Win 
 
REPORT: 
The weather was less than ideal but that didnt matter, it was opening day and we were determined to make the most of it and start the season as we mean to go on. 
 
After watching the womens put 11 past North Norfolk it was time for us to follow suit and get the season underway. Things looked immensely positive from the off with Cam Cooke slotting away good creative play from Tom Cooke and Ben Chapman.  
 
After the bright start it was anything but plain sailing, newly promoted Letchworth woke up and came at us dominating both possession and territory. After city held strong with for a solid 10 minutes and Alistair cooke making some amazing saves at 3 short corners, letchworth eventually made the pressure pay and after a messy ball into the top of the D an unsighted Alistair cooke did well to get 1 hand to the ball but couldnt stop the well timed deflection going in. 1-1 HT.  
 
City got the kick they needed to focus up, reshape and play smarter. 10 minutes into the second half, all looked well with a ball across the face from harry hill falling to Jack ingham, who put everything he could behind his hit from the p spot and roofed it, goalkeeper was helpless. Once again on top and looking good but this wouldnt last as after 5 green cards for both sides in the first 50 minutes it was time for some yellows. First letchworth had one and then Richard Green was unlucky to receive one for an apparent elbow. Whilst the game was 10v10 letchworth got an equaliser from a short corner but a quick response from city whilst letchworth went back up to 11 men with Harry gill charging around the top D, cutting into the right hand side of the D and it classic Gill fashion slamming the ball into the opposite corner returned our deserved lead to us despite being a man down.  
 
Then came potentially the most exciting 10 minutes of hockey we will have all year. The already feisty game was kicked up a notch when one of the letchworth players received a second yellow and therefore a technical red our for the rest of the game this only spurred them on to push for the equaliser and whme they eventually got through our solid back 3 with 1 on 1 v Alistair Cooke he went in for the ball, got the ball, but also got alot of the man. P Flick awarded and yellow card for Alistair. That wasnt the end of the drama as Stu fought for the decision he picked up a fellow for his protest and in all the carnage Cam Cooke padded up to go in for the P Flick whilst Iain Martin our manager and former GK decided he would be the hero and go in for the remaining 5 minutes. After much deliberation about what the rules are surrounding outfield players defending P Flicks and replacement GKs the P Flick was eventually scored 3-3. In case you cant keep track its currently 10 letchworth players against 9 Norwich players for the remaining 5 minutes.  
 
Both sides had chances, luckily enough Iain wasnt forced to make a save and then with a minute to go tom Harris played a ball up the line to louis Preston who dropped the ball off to Tom Cooke who forced the ball in towards Louis whod made a beautiful run into the back post but it was Cam Cooke who got his stick on it and we celebrated like it was a world cup final.  
 
All the excitement of an opening day fixture, all the drama of a tight game, a few cards here and there but overall we kept our heads, played some decent hockey and got tbw deserved 3 points. Bring on Dereham at home again this week.  
 
 

MENS 1ST XI - 19/09/2020 VS SPALDING 1 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 1st XI 
DATE: 19/09/2020 
FIXTURE: Mens 1st XI VS 19/09/2020 
HEADLINE: Away day to Spalding brings strong preseason to a close  
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION A 
VENUE: Glen Park 
RESULT: 6-1  
 
REPORT: 
The long trip to Lincolnshire was the last chance to get things right before our first league game vs letchworth next week.  
 
And after a warm up game of cricket with the sun shining, it was time to get underway. We knew Spalding were going to be a step up from recent opposition and the early stages lived up to that, end to end but neither side could really make the chances count.  
 
Then the Cam Cooke show started, 2 reverses: 1 across the keeper and the other squeezing in the near post. Made it 2-0 Q1.  
 
2nd quarter was more of the same, another Cam Cooke goal but this time a well worked fluid move from Tom Cooke to Ben Chapman to Chris Wardale for an easy finish. This was followed up by a similarly good move down the right hand side where Stu Wardle beat 1 defender for pace and then lifted the ball over another on the baseline before putting a lovely ball into Pete Morgan who deflected the ball between his legs and into goal. 4-0 HT. 
 
The flat pitch and hot day meant this fast, hard start was surely going to drop off and that it did. Spalding managed to turn the ball over in our half and punish us for a lapse in concentration with a messy goal.  
 
4-1, comeback on? Nope. 30 seconds later we had the ball in the net again. Great play to pass it around them with Tom Harris, Pete Morgan & Felix Broadway combining before it came to Jack Ingham in the D who happily reversed it home. 
 
Plenty more chances came but not many goals, until Cam flicked home from a short corner. 6-1. The score might've remained the same for the last 10 but the amount of players we had did not. Gabriel Marchant picked up green, then as Gabe came back Chris Wardale wanted a rest for 2 and then Harry Brown decided Chris looked lonely and picked up a yellow of his own. Sour end to a good day out.  
 
Great end to a strong preseason, lots learnt and everyone is in great spirits eager to get going and get some points on the board!  
 
 
 
 

MENS 1ST XI - 12/09/2020 VS IES 1 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 1st XI 
DATE: 12/09/2020 
FIXTURE: Mens 1st XI VS 12/09/2020 
HEADLINE: Mens 1s continue strong form, long pre-season paying off. 
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION A 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT: 3-0 
 
REPORT: 
Another week into the long pre-season and another positive display from the men’s 1s. 
Taverham was blessed with sunshine and solid support. After watching the Womens do the business against IES, it was time for the men to follow suit. 
 
Once again, the lads asserted their dominance from the whistle with plenty of possession within the opposition half. Plenty chances created but no goals scored through Q1. Q2 brought more possession, more chances and eventually a deserved goal with Pete Morgan finding the space in the D to put home a Thomas Cooke delivery through the top. 
 
A quick halftime chat reinforcing the same point of setting the standard, increasing the ball pace and managing the game led to really solid passing play and taking care of the ball. After a few half chances, Felix Broadway took it upon himself to play a 1-2 with Chris Wardale and plant home a lovely finish into the corner of the IES net. 2-0, End of Q3. 
 
Q4 saw IES struggle with injuries and stamina with their bare 11 but NCHC didn’t let up. Ben Chapman, Tom Harris and Chris Wardale linked up really nicely down the left and Rafe Lochore did even better to open a gap at the top of the D and reverse it home. Unfortunately it was disallowed for hitting our foot in the D. Fortunately, he did the same move 2 mins later after a pass from Jack Ingham and with the same result of a phenomenal reverse into the bottom corner Rafe got the goal he deserved. And thankfully it was for us, not against us like in Thursday Night’s game where he played for UEA. 
 
All round, solid display, led the game and went from strength to strength through the quarters to take the game to IES and make our dominance across the field payoff with a lovely clean sheet as the icing on the cake. 
 

MENS 1ST XI - 10/09/2020 VS UEA 1 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 1st XI 
DATE: 10/09/2020 
FIXTURE: Mens 1st XI VS 10/09/2020 
HEADLINE: Another promising pre-season game 
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION A 
VENUE: Taverham - H20 
RESULT: 7-1 Win 
 
REPORT: 
Following last weeks positive victory over Chelmsford, City were determined to continue their positive pre-season as they took on a young and fit UEA side at Taverham. Despite an even first 10 minutes where both sides were finding their feet it was City opened the scoring through a Harry Gill reverse stick strike, City doubled their lead soon after when Gill turned provider firing a low ball into the D for Chris Wardale to deflect home. The game once again became even with both teams battling it out in the middle of the park but City did add a third goal before half time with a Cameron Cooke drag flick at a penalty corner. Half Time 3-0  
 
Into the second half and City started on the front foot creating several good chances which Ben Nkrumah in the UEA goal did well to keep out, he was however beaten for a fourth time when Stuart Wardle found time and space in the D to fire a low shot into the goal. A fifth goal was added a minute later when an excellent run from Ben Chapman found Chris Wardale unmarked in the D who rounded the keeper and finished into an empty goal. The game became a bit of a stalemate again with City creating and missing chances before a sixth goal was added for birthday boy Tom Cooke from a penalty corner. UEA did however never give up and scored through on loan City striker Rafe Lochore. The game finished in the final minutes as Chris Wardale completed his hattrick from the penalty flick spot. Full Time: 7-1 

MENS 1ST XI - 05/09/2020 VS CHELMSFORD 1 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 1st XI 
DATE: 05/09/2020 
FIXTURE: Mens 1st XI VS 05/09/2020 
HEADLINE: First Team Continues Great Pre-season 
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION A 
VENUE: Chelmer Park 
RESULT: 0-1  
 
REPORT: 
The Men First team took the long journey down the A140 to Chelmsford hoping to build off the strong displays vs Magpies and Bury in the past week against what could be their toughest test so far, given a few players were missing and a few more coming back from holidays for their first minutes. 
 
After a shorter than expected warmup, we were underway. But we didnt let it effect our momentum and in similar fashion to the previous 2 matches we dominated the early phases with both possession and territory. Credit to Chelmsford they also had early patches of chance creation but the Defence with debutant Tom Harris stayed strong and left Alistair Cooke with only a few things to save. 
 
After a quarter time break, not alot changed, we continued to use the entire pitch and create various good chances. Eventually we made the chances count after Jack Ingham played a glorious ball across the face to Cam Cooke who dinked a lovely ball over the onrushing GK. 1-0 HT. 
 
2nd half was far more balanced as Chelmsford looked to crowd their defensive zone by half-courting us, despite being 1-0 down (we'll give them the benefit of the doubt and say they were trying out tactics in a pre-season friendly not just playing extremely negtively). We still played fast, short & fluid hockey and it didnt slow down our D Entries with Mikey, Jonty, Stu, Louis and Gabs all able to find lots of space out wide and get balls in towards the baseline and our forwards. 
 
As is to be expected, as we tired the odd stray passes same out and chelmsford managed to put together some attacks and upgraded a few to end up with 8 Short Corners to our 4. And if it wasnt for hero of the day, Gabriel Marchant, the game wouldve ended 1-1. As he leapt behind Russ and made an amazing diving deflection on the opposite post 60 seconds after having made another goal line stop at the previous Short Corner. 
 
We held on for the 1-0 victory, shared a few beers with the lovely Chelmsford team and enjoyed our journey home. Alot of positives through the first half of pre-season, here's to many more in the second half! 
 
MOTM: Tom Harris - Impressive Debut: fit straight in, rock at the back, cool on the ball and enjoyed some sexy passing moves with guys hes barely played with before. 

MENS 1ST XI - 03/09/2020 VS BURY ST EDMUNDS 1 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 1st XI 
DATE: 03/09/2020 
FIXTURE: Mens 1st XI VS 03/09/2020 
HEADLINE: Thriller in Culford... 
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION A 
VENUE: Culford School 
RESULT: 6-2 Win 
 
REPORT: 
A strong 15 man squad travelled to Bury for a midweek friendly. Despite an even start, City took the lead from a forehand deflection in the D by Ben Chapman. Moments later the score line double with Michael Thompson opening his account for city against his former club with a strike from the right hand side of the D sneaking through the keepers legs. 
 
City created several chances before adding a third goal from a Cameron Cooke drag flick. Just before half time, City made it 4-0. Fantastic counter attacking goal with pace and control from Gill, finding Wardale in the D to square across for a simple Tapin for Rafe to open his account for the first team. 
 
4-0 at the break. 
 
After halftime, city continued there promising attacking display creating several chances before a Thomas Cooke short corner routine found the bottom corner of the Bury goal to make it 5-0.  
 
Despite dominating most of the play, City switched off allowing two goals to be conceded - the first from a short corner and the second from open play with the forward taking it past the on rushing Cooke in goal to make it 5-2. 
 
City regained composure scoring a 6th goal with another great finish from Rafe Lochore. City continued to look threatening going forward however some inspired goalkeeping and slightly wayward shooting led to the final whistle and a 6-2 victory for Norwich in a good pre season battle at Culford 

MENS 1ST XI - 29/08/2020 VS HARLESTON MAGPIES 1 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 1st XI 
DATE: 29/08/2020 
FIXTURE: Mens 1st XI VS 29/08/2020 
HEADLINE: City start strong against national league outfit 
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION A 
VENUE: Taverham - H20 
RESULT: 2-2 Draw 
 
REPORT: 
Despite the weather both teams arrived up beat for the first proper 70 minutes run around of a season that looked unlikely to occur a couple months ago. 
 
City came out strong against the national league opposition and showed phases of high quality play. The first half was an intense end to end battle with both sides having half chances, but no one able to put anything away. A few errors here and there but all in all a strong first half of hockey under everyones belts. 
 
Straight from the whistle the 2nd half promised more: quicker play, fluid movement and a few players getting chirpy. Sure enough after 50 minutes we got our first goal, nicely worked ball into jack Ingham in the D led to magical stick skills to beat 2 defenders and a lovely finish from the P-spot planted firmly into the bottom left corner of the magpies goal.  
 
The match intensified again as magpies played faster and harder to get into the D that Thomas cooke, Richard Green, Pete Morgan and Harry brown had defended so fiercely all game long. Harleston managed to piece together a great play from their defence to forwards in a matter of seconds for an easy 2v1 with alistair Cooke and a finish in an empty net. Met with silence from the Taverham faithful. Once again City came out stronger from pushback and with a slick move of their own got an equally impressive 2v1 for an easy finish (that Cameron Cooke definitely couldve made easier for Harry Gill but made him sweat just a little for it). 2-1 NC, 15 mins to go. After magpies got carded for a deliberate foul, Richard Green followed suit with a lovely deliberate slowing of play. we fought hard but with 3 to go magpies made the advantage pay after Captain Stu led by example and passed directly to them for an easy break down our right hand side and ball into the D that their forward managed to his control into the Net. Celebrations for rescuing some pride ensued and City managed to hold on with some fantastic penalty corner defence to a 2-2 draw.  
 
Very impressive display to out-work a higher league opposition and many promising signs for the season ahead with only 3 weeks to go. 

MENS 1ST XI - 22/08/2020 VS SELECTION GAME (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 1st XI 
DATE: 22/08/2020 
FIXTURE: Mens 1st XI VS 22/08/2020 
HEADLINE: First 11 a side hockey 
LEAGUE: Pre-Season Selection Game 
VENUE: Taverham - H20 
RESULT: 5-5 Draw 
 
REPORT: 
In a first competitive run out where 26 NCHC players competed in a 1s and 2s selection game. There was plenty of goals as the game embed and flowed to a 5-5 draw.