Results

MENS 3RD XI - 24/02/2018 VS BURY ST EDMUNDS 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 24/02/2018 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 24/02/2018 
HEADLINE: City another 3 points closer to Division 2!  
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Taverham - Sand 
RESULT: 6-1  
 
REPORT: 
Well after a couple of recent defeats in the league City 3s were looking to return to winning ways with a home game against Bury 2s who were compiled of youth and experience. City had a strong squad of 14 with Chris Perry returning to strenghen up the defence as well as a call up for Matthew Brine.  
 
City started strong and dominated the ball early on, however despite City's ball retention they struggled to create any real half chances, Bury did however put one good move together and forced a save from Jake Aisthorpe. City continued to dominate the play and started to create chances with Mark Fletcher, Lloyd Sayer and Rees Leonard all having efforts wide.  
 
City did finally take the lead when Rees Leonard converted a PC low into the corner of the goal. City's 2nd goal came from Matthew Brine stole the ball high up the field and drove at the GK to then play in Mark Fletcher who had a easy finish. The 3rd goal came from another PC just before half time when Perry played a great ball to Joe K who finished low into the corner.  
 
After the break City focused on keeping the ball and playing wide into the channels. Despite a strong start from Bury, City added a fourth goal from a PC with Matthew Brine placing the ball between the keepers legs. A fifth goal came when Adam Sayer played a great ball into Mark Fletcher who turned and fired a low shot past the keeper.  
 
City continued to look good for the rest of the half, with Matthew Brine finishing off a great move involing both Leonards with a great finish round the keeper and into the goal. At 6-0 skipper Ling stepped up into midfield and despite having two shots his presence was obviously missed at the back as City managed to concede the last goal of the game. FT 6-1 
 
A great win for the team but more important a good performance. Next week a big one away to Dragons, at least this away game is only down the road! 
 

MENS 3RD XI - 03/02/2018 VS UEA 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 03/02/2018 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 03/02/2018 
HEADLINE: City winners against exuberant students! 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: TRF 
RESULT: 2-0 Win 
 
REPORT: 
City continued their title push with a game against the local students of UEA. City started the game well and dominated the first ten minutes. There were chances aplenty, but all were squandered with mis-hits, poor first touches the main culprits. The game soon settled into a stale mate, and the only real excitement was when UEA managed to win themselves a short corner, which was easily defended. A draw at half time... 
The second half saw City revitalised and determined to get goals. It wasn't long until a couple of short corners were won, and after a bobbly injection for the first, Rees (41 goals) Leonard put the ball in the back of the net. Soon there was another for Leonard, who expertly knocked the ball in from open play. Yes, a goal not from a short corner! City continued to push to extend their lead but it wasn't to be. UEA never really looked dangerously and struggled to get shots off in the City D. MOM: Mark Fletcher for tireless running and effort during the game. 
3 points again for City, who face Newmarket tomorrow in a rearranged fixture.....  

MENS 3RD XI - 20/01/2018 VS IPSWICH 2 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 20/01/2018 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 20/01/2018 
HEADLINE: City claim all 3 points in very open affair 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Tuddenham Road 
RESULT: 2-1 Win 
 
REPORT: 
Norwich City's Mens 3rd XI continue their stance at the top of Division 3NE with a hard fought 2-1 away victory to top half team Ipswich 2s. 3s were upagainst it from the start as they played the first 25 minutes of the game without a keeper, however despite this City were the better side and used their extra outfield player to their advantage moving the ball around extremely well. Miles Doncaster, Richard Silvester, Dave Fletcher and Toby leonard all had early chances with both the Ipswich keeper and side netting preventing City taking the lead. Eventually City did take the lead when Rees Leonard dispatched a PC, having previosuly played kicking back and making an amazing goal line clearance. At 1-0 City were good value for it and made it 2-0 when Toby Leonard was played in 1 on 1 with the keeper and finished well. 2-0 and City looked comfortable but however two missed tackles at the back and a deflected shot and Ipswich found a goal from nothing and then City played some poor and slack hockey, 2-1 at the break.  
 
City came out more composed in the 2nd half but Ipswich pressed a lot higher and forced City;s defensive line of Ling, Sayer, Perry and Clabon to work extremely hard to keep City's lead. King in the City goal had little to do but made two good saves from the two clear chances Ipswich had. At the other end Silvester was always a threat and was unlucky to not score having had two efforts well saved by the keeper. City also had many other half chances to kill the game off but didn't quite have the cutting edge to get that killer 3rd goal. The final minutes where nervy but great work rate from L Sayer, M Fletcher, M Doncaster, D Fletcher and F Hooper in the midfield areas paid off as the game finished 2-1.  
 
POTM: R Leonard scoring and saving a goal which i guess you could say won us the game.  
 

MENS 3RD XI - 07/01/2018 VS SUDBURY 2 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 07/01/2018 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 07/01/2018 
HEADLINE: Mens 3s back to top with classy away win! 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Great Conrad Sports Centre 
RESULT: 5-2 Win 
 
REPORT: 
Back to back away trips to IES and Sudbury looked a tough ordeal straight after christmas, and with City;s 3s suffering their first defeat of the season yesterday, they were determined to bounce back with a win against 10th placed Sudbury. A squad of 13 travelled down with Matthew Brine stepping up from the 4s to add some experience to the frontline.  
 
The game started a bit end to end but the defence of Clabon, Perry, Ling and A Sayer coped well with Sudbury's little threat going forward. City started to create some half chances but failed to really test the keeper before R Leonard fired in a PC drag flick, 1 began to 2 as Rees doubled his tally before City played some lovely passing hockey going from one side of the pitch to the other before Mark Fletcher fired a ball into the D for Matthew Brine to glance home at the near post. Sudbury did manage to score with their only effort in the first half as a deflected effort of skipper Lings stick wrong footed keeper Aisthorpe. HT 3-1 
 
After the break City began the half well keeping the ball well and making some excellent tackles, this continued until City added a fourth goal with some good play down the right hand side seeing the ball squared to Lloyd Sayer whose poor attempt hit the post, however before a PS was given for a foot on the line Matthew Brine was on hand to fire the ball home. The game however after this changed with it becoming very scrappy going end to end. Sudbury managed to score a second with a quickly taken free hit to release a Sudbury player down the right, whose shot was blocked but fell kindly to a Sudbury striker who tapped home, a second deflection goal. City however tackled and kept the ball well enough to seal out all three points and added a 5th goal in the final minute as Leonard completed his hattrick with another drag flick.  
 
POTM: Adam Sayer 
 

MENS 3RD XI - 06/01/2018 VS IES 2 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 06/01/2018 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 06/01/2018 
HEADLINE: Mens 3s Suffer First Defeat 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Rushmere Sports Centre 
RESULT: 4-3 Loss 
 
REPORT: 
The Mens 3rd team suffered their first defeat of the season as they went down 4-3 away to 2nd placed Ipswich East Suffolk 2s. Travelling with a 14 man squad City were confident and nearly went ahead when Jack Luther had a 1 on 1 which was well saved by the IES keeper. The game was very open with chance going both ways, IES took the lead from a PC and doubled their lead with a breakaway goal. A third goal was scored just before half time for the home team with a very lucky deflection goal. HT 3-0 with City having a goal disallowed once again this seaosn WRONGLY! 
 
3-0 down at the break City had it all today and fought back excellently second half, Rees Leonard fired in two short corners to bring it back to 3-2 and City really should have levelled with Joe K having two 1 on 1s as well as Richard Silvester and Lloyd Sayer having shots just wide. IES then had the killer blow from another short corner, City's Leonard nodded home another goal to make it a interesting last 5 minutes but City couldn;t get that equalising goal that they deserved. Hard luck but a win tomorrow and we are back to the top! IES enjoy your short stay at the top! 
 
POTM: Tom Ling 
 

MENS 3RD XI - 09/12/2017 VS PELICANS 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 09/12/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 09/12/2017 
HEADLINE: City hit Pelicans for 7 and regain top place in Div 3! 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Taverham - H20 
RESULT: 7-2 
 
REPORT: 
With games being called off left, right and centre skipper Ling was determined to not have his 4th cancellation of the season, and began to take things into his own hands with two brushes and a kettle and took to work on the Sand base pitch! Game ahead! - Or was it... It seems el captano had defrosted the wrong pitch! However luckily for him and the bare 11 Pelicans team the other pitch was just about playable and the game went ahead.  
 
City started with a bare 11 (Goldsmith, Gill, Shearer el absent) and it seems we missed them as we were a bit asleep in the first 5 minutes as Pelis long ball game worked as they went ahead. Our thanks to umpire Perry for not letting them go 2 up before Rees Leonard got to work firing a PC in for 1-1, a swift move down the left involing messus Brine, Silvester and Jones led to 2-1 with Leonard getting the final touch (As always!) 2 became 3 as Leonard fired in another short corner drag flick, before the game became a bit dull. Gill had good pace down both wings and if Lloyd Sayer had just as much pace he may off added a 4th at the back pose (On your nose boy!) the same could be said for Matthew Brine as once again Gill did the hard work down the byline for his pass to just go stray at the last minute. Leonard however was quite settled with the first half hattrick and added a fourth just before the break with an accute finish from the byline.  
 
City were not playing the best hockey, playing a big the weather a bit fragile underfoot! And el captain decided the best thing to do was to take himself off and see how it would go. Intially very good with Leonard firiing yet another one away. (You did use to be a goalkeeper right?) However Rob Goldsmith showed why the captain is missed so dearly with a very poorly taken 16 yard hit which could (Maybe should - Perry!?!?) of been a PC, it was that bad! And then Pelis scored even worse but not all Rob's fault. So Ling came back on and it was at this point where City really did show some quality with two excellent placed goals, Lloyd Sayer fired a brilliant low angled shot into the corner (!!!!!!!! Hmmmmm) and then Mark Fletcher did an excellent disguised penalty flick down the middle of the goal to confuse the goalie (!!!!!!! Hmmmmmm) - Noted that Rees bottled the double hattrick! And yes the goals were poor but the build play was good anyway! 
 
All in all another good solid win for the Mens 3s to maintain their unbeaten run, next up a lovely christmas trip to Newmarket. Well at least the curry night is beforehand, something to look forward to next Saturday! 
 

MENS 3RD XI - 02/12/2017 VS NORWICH CITY 4 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 02/12/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 02/12/2017 
HEADLINE: Scrappy game sees 3s take the glory  
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: TRF - H20 
RESULT: 3-0 Win 
 
REPORT: 
In the 3s / 4s interclub game it was the 3s who took the spoils in what was a nervy but solid performance which saw them overline comfortable winners. Ali Shearer openend the scoring with a low finish into the corner following a good City move down the right hand side. The 4s were playing well however and it was Dim Ives in goal that kept the 3s 1-0 up at half time.  
 
The 2nd half the 4s continued to play well and press the 3s well, however the defence of Clabon, Ling Jones, Nichols and Shearer were not really troubled and Ives in goal made the crucial saves when called into action. A PC was the route for the 2nd goal for the 3s as Luther had a good shot at goal which Darley in the 4s goal could only pary to Mark Fletcher who finished high into the goal. With 10 minutes to go the 3s made the game safe as Charlie Jones played a great cross field ball to Tom Nichols who finished well into the corner.  
 
All in all not a great game but a win and a clean sheet, onto next week! 
 

MENS 3RD XI - 18/11/2017 VS NORWICH DRAGONS 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 18/11/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 18/11/2017 
HEADLINE: City top table toppers Dragons and take their place! 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Taverham - Sand 
RESULT: 2-1 Win 
 
REPORT: 
In this top of the league clash it was City who maintained their unbeaten record in Division 3NE as they snuck out a 2-1 victory in a close and tense game at Taverham.  
 
Dragons has some good early play with their aerial long ball tactic and then have midfield running onto their strikers in support. This did catch City out early on in the match and let Dragons have a couple of circle penetrations, however the dust was settled when a mistake along the backline let in Jack Luther who finished a low strike into the bottom corner of the goal. City had some more chances with Rees Leonard firing a reverse stick shot just wide and Joe Koniecnzy went narrowly wide from close range. HT 1-0 
 
In the 2nd half City played some much better hockey and were much tighter in midfield not giving Dragons much going forward at all. Joe K had a great chance to make it 2 as he went round the goalie only for him to fall over at the last and most inconvenient moment! George Brine also had two good efforts to make it 2 both were well saved by the GK however eventually City did get the 2nd goal as Chris Perry converted a penalty flick after POTM Tom Nichols had been fouled. Dragons then applied the pressure with nothing to louse and started to leave men forward and press City really high, they struggled to create however any clear cut chances until with 3 minutes to a scruffy short corner goal found its way into the bottom corner. However despite Mark Fletchers best efforts City managed to keep the ball well enough to seal out a 2-1 victory. 
 
City are now top of the pile in Division 3NE with games against Sudbury, NCHC 4s, Pelis 2s and Newmarket 1s before the 2017 calendar year comes to an end. However many points City pick up now till Christmas they must be happy with the number of points they have collected so far.  
 
POTM: Tom Nichols (Another solid display in the middle) 
TYFC: Chris Perry (Had a hand in both the winning goal and Dragons goal!!!! 
 

MENS 3RD XI - 11/11/2017 VS BURY ST EDMUNDS 2 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 11/11/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 11/11/2017 
HEADLINE: 3s continue unbeaten season with hard fought away win to Bury 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Culford School (Not the nice pitch!) 
RESULT: 4-2 Win 
 
REPORT: 
City 3s took to the field once again this week with a different team with a few players returning, however despite the changes City had a great first half, moving the ball around well and having some good passing moves down both sides of the pitch. City were 2-0 up thanks to 2 well placed drag flicks from Rees Leonard who completed yet another hatrick with a tidy finish over the keeper following a mistake in the Bury back line. Bury however managed to pull a goal back following a missed tackle along the baseline which allowed a Bury forward to run along it and square it for an easy tap in. However George Brine, Mark Fletcher and Toby Leonard all need got on the score sheet to make it 4-1 before Jack Luther did just that following a good move which started at the back as Ling played it to George Brine who then drove to the Bury D before playing in Toby leonard who squared it to Jack who reversed it into an open goal.  
 
The 2nd half the 3s lost a little composure on the ball and lost shape, this led to many turnovers in the 2nd half which led to Bury creating a few chances. City however despite not playing their best hockey in the 2nd half still coped well enough to seal out the win. Ben Cushion and Rees Leonard both went wide when with the goal at their mercy meanwhile Lloyld Sayer had a good effort saved by the Bury keeper. Bury did manage to get one goal from a penalty corner, as Freddy Hooper was the unfortunate one to deflect a flick into the goal. All in all a hard fought game in what is a difficult place to go but another 3 points as next week sees the big encounter v top of league Dragons 2s.  
POTM: Chris Perry 

MENS 3RD XI - 04/11/2017 VS IES 3 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 04/11/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 04/11/2017 
HEADLINE: Stunning victory sees City take 2nd place in Division 3 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Taverham - Sand 
RESULT: 8-1 Win 
 
REPORT: 
Norwich City Mens 3rd XI took to the field in a key encounter against 2nd placed Ipswich East Suffolk 3s. From the off City knew it was going to be a tough battle but started brightly in the early stages and were rewarded when Harry Gill ran through and slotted in City's first goal, however the game was very open with two of IES youngsters combining well to grab a goal for the away side after 10 minutes, at this stage the game was very even with both teams having chances. However once Rees Leonard put City ahead with a reverse stick effort the floodgates opened and City really pressed home the advantage. City kept the ball really well, moving it around with good speed and accuracy. Countless moves down the right brought joys, with Charlie Jones having a practically good game. Joe Koniecnzy added in City's 3rd with a good finish into the corner meanwhile the returning George Brine added City's 4th goal before the break followed a short corner.  
 
The half time team talk was too keep it much the same in the 2nd half and to keep moving the ball round as well as City did. It only took a couple minutes into the 2nd half when some excellent passing from Jones, Shearer and then Leonard to lay it on a plate for Joe K to get his 2nd of the game and City's 5th. He then sealed his hatrick when he converted a 1 on 1 on his reverse stick side at the near post, IES then had a decent spell on the ball but never really troubled the defence of Ling, Perry, Jones, Clabon, Nichols and Sayer, with Aisthorpe having very little to do in the City goal. The Leonard brothers then finished of the scoring for City with the 7th and 8th goals, as Toby struck a sweetly timed shot from the top of the D into the corner and Rees finished his trademark drag flick from a PC high into the roof of the net.  
 
All in all a great victory against what was 2nd in the league team, now however replaced by us! As next week we travel to Bury St Edmunds 2s in what will be another tough test! 
 

MENS 3RD XI - 28/10/2017 VS UEA 2 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 28/10/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 28/10/2017 
HEADLINE: City move up to 3rd with comfortable away win 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: UEA 
RESULT: 4-0 Victory 
 
REPORT: 
City went into this game sitting 4th in the league despite having played a game less than the three teams ahead of them. City yet again had a big squad but lacked defenders and relied to Chris Perry returning to his roots and stepping in at centre back.  
 
City played some excellent hockey in the 1st half with Tom Nichols, Chris Perry and Tom Ling distributing the ball and keeping it well at the back, with some excellent running from half backs Ali Shearer and Jake Cushion. City's 1st goal came from some excellent play down the right hand side following a good passing, which saw the ball along the backline and then across goal for Rees Leonard to slap home. A 2nd was soon to follow with a great ball in Ben Cushion which may of been going in but Rees Leonard made sure with his 2nd of the game. City continued to play well and some how didn't add to their tally before the half way mark, with Harry Gill having a goal disallowed for some unknown reason and their keeper made several good saves from Leonard, Gill and Withers, who all had efforts on goal. Meanwhile at our end Jake Aisthorpe had one save to made in what was another spectator performance.  
 
In the 2nd half City continued to play well with Tom Nichols doing some excellent passing and some brilliant tackles, City continued to make chances with Gill again forcing the keeper into a save as well as numerous short corners just going a miss, however eventually the radar was retuned and Leonard found the bottom corner for his hatrick. City weren't done though and kept on pressing and Lloyd Sayer scored a great goal to make it 4-0 City could and should of made it 5 with a short corner in the final minute, but they settled for 4 and their first clean sheet of the season.  
 
Next week a big game at home to IES 3s.  

MENS 3RD XI - 21/10/2017 VS NORWICH DRAGONS 3 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 21/10/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 21/10/2017 
HEADLINE: City walk away from the Den with comfortable win! 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Dragons Den  
RESULT: 5-2 Win 
 
REPORT: 
Another game, another 3 points and another day when the scoreline is again harsh on us. We played some good hockey in the 1st half which led to goals from Rees Leonard (PC) and Ben Plumb on the breakaway, it should of been 3-0 had it not been for a strange umpiring decision from the Dragons umpire to suggest that it was outside the D when clearly it was in, it was even much strange when Dragons managed to sneak a goal just before the break at 2-1, again strange how they were allowed to use the back of the stick to put it in the goal.  
 
Anyway moving on into the 2nd half City again played some good hockey and dealing with ease any Dragons attacks, it was only a matter of time before City racked up more goals with another Rees Leonard (PC), Toby Leonard added a 4th on the reverse as well as Ben Plumb finishing cooly into the bottom corner, it was going to take a mistake in the backline for Dragons to score again and it was just that, as their striker had a simple tap in following a mistake from el captain!  
 
Overall a comfortable win though with City 3s playing Dragons 3s and showing who are the best 3s in Norwich! And as the Dragons match report said last week, we gave Dragons 3s what for! 
 

MENS 3RD XI - 14/10/2017 VS IPSWICH 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 14/10/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 14/10/2017 
HEADLINE: City's domination not shown in the scoreline! 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: 
RESULT: 
 
REPORT: 
To start this report I will read you some of Ipswich 2s match report: 
This was probably the team's hardest game so far (we're convinced the team had 1st team ringers in - WE DIDN'T bar myself of course!). We spent a lot of the game defending and managed to hold off the scoreline to 0-0 at half time.. 
 
Well after half time was when we turned up the quality and we finally executed a drag out and stop at a short corner which finally meant Rees Leonard could show off his skills and he duly dispatched a drag flick into the top corner off the bar. However a momentary lapse in concentration at the back let Ipswich 2s in for an underserved equaliser in what was their second break into our D. However some excellent stick skills from Ben Cushion and Jack Luther led to two more goals for City and put them in the driving seat a late penalty Flick again completely against the run of play was another highlight for the away side but it was City who were deserved winners. 

MENS 3RD XI - 07/10/2017 VS NEWMARKET 1 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 07/10/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 07/10/2017 
HEADLINE: Match Postponed 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: 
RESULT: 
 
REPORT: 
Match postponed due to hole in their pitch! 

MENS 3RD XI - 30/09/2017 VS IES 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 30/09/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 30/09/2017 
HEADLINE: On form Leonard rescues City 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Taverham - H20 
RESULT: 2-2 Draw 
 
REPORT: 
City Mens 3rd XI took on IES 2s in their first league home game of the season, knowing it would be a tough game facing a team who battled it out with them in Division 2N last year. City started well and moved the ball round well, both Toby Leonard and Rees Leonard forced the keeper into saves with the latter also having a shot narrowly wide. A great aerial from Harry Gill put Ali Shearer in and he was also unlucky to see his shot just fall the wrong side of the post. It was a shock when a debateable short corner against City that IES took the lead, but with City continuing to have all the play it was a long ball from Sam Clabon which let in Sam Bloom whose shot was saved before Rees Leonard was their to tap home, 1-1.  
 
After the break City continued to press home but a resurgent IES pressed City much higher, which made City struggle to cling together any passes and struggle to get the ball to IES's 23. City however seemed fairly solid at the back with only City mistakes letting IES in, Adam Sayer performing very well. IES did however get a bit of good fortune with a scrappy goal following a long ball hit into the B which rebounded to their forward who tapped home. With only 5 minutes left City began to press IES and finally won a short corner, step up Rees Leonard who flicked high into the top right hand corner, City thought they had a chance to win it but it wasn't to be, not our best performance but a point gained! 

MENS 3RD XI - 23/09/2017 VS PELICANS 2 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 23/09/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 23/09/2017 
HEADLINE: City take pre-season into league season and start the campaign with a win! 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: LynnSport 
RESULT: 3-2 Win 
 
REPORT: 
Norwich City Mens 3rd XI started their season with a 3-2 win over Pelicans 2nd XI. City started off slowly and were sloppy in the opening exchanges, slack marking and poor passing nearly let Pelicans in a couple of times before they made the break through with a PC goal. City fought back though and worked hard on the counter attack following a high press from Pelicans. Rees Leonard brought the scores level following a PC, before giving City a 2 goal cushion to take the lead with another PC and a well worked counter attacking move, with Rees finished well for his hatrick.  
 
After the break City created more chances and if it hadn't of been for the Pelis keeper City could of made the game safe but with 10 minutes to Pelis scrambled home a 2nd goal despite it coming off a City stick, city had to move on from the poor decision and keep fighting to the end. City held on for a valiant but hard worked 3 points. Next week another tough game v IES 2s at home. 

MENS 3RD XI - 16/09/2017 VS NORTH NORFOLK 1 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 16/09/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 16/09/2017 
HEADLINE: City maintain pre-season success 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Taverham - Sand 
RESULT: 6-1 Win 
 
REPORT: 
City's 3s maintained their good start to the season by following up a 7-2 victory over Harleston Magpies with a 6-1 victory at home to North Norfolk 1s. City welcomed back Henry Sayer, as well as a club debut to Charlie Jones, to give City a 13 man squad.  
 
20 Seconds in and City were in the lead thanks to a good move and tidy finish from Joe Koniecnzy, however City tried to force the ball to much and tried to far to many long passes and a lapse at the backs led to a North Norfolk forward breaking in behind and levelling the scores. City pressed hard but kept giving the ball away to easily and found the rest of the half frustrating.  
 
However City shortened their passing more and worked hard in the 2nd half and the score line reflected this, Rees Leonard tapped home on the line for the lead before sliding an excellent pass to Joe Koniecnzy for his second goal of the day sliding in on the post. Toby Leonard made it 4 on the breakaway with an excellent finish into the side netting, before Chris Perry made it 5 with a finish low at the near post. Lloyld Sayer then got his first goal for City in the final minute with an excellent finish low following a short corner. Full time 6-1 and City take on Pelicans 2s next week in their first league game.  

MENS 3RD XI - 14/09/2017 VS UEA 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 14/09/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 14/09/2017 
HEADLINE: Match Postponed 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: 
RESULT: 
 
REPORT: 
 

MENS 3RD XI - 09/09/2017 VS HARLESTON MAGPIES 3 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 09/09/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 09/09/2017 
HEADLINE: Excellent Performance and Victory impresses new skipper... 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Taverham - H20 
RESULT: 7-2 Victory 
 
REPORT: 
The new look Mens 3rd XI, under the captaincy of Tom Ling finally had their first pre-season game against Harleston Magpies 3rd XI, a team a division higher than them for the upcoming season. The 3s was very different to last year with a variety of new players joining the team from different clubs as well as a few new youngsters, (including a couple of UNI boys, whose legs were much appreciated!)  
 
Having had a small, brief but to the point pre match chat the 3rd XI took to the field and immediately after 60 seconds found themselves a goal down. 0-1 and with all the work to do the 3rd XI then settled and began to dominate the game, and after 10 minutes of peppering the Magpies backline, a Rees Leonard drag flick brought the scores level. At 1-1 City looked more comfortable on the ball and began to move it around with ease and pressed Magpies well with a well set press when we didn't have it. Chris Perry gave City the lead before against the run of play Magpies managed to scramble home a Penalty corner goal, 2-2 but City were dominating and it wasn't a surprise when Rees managed to bag a first half hatrick and give City a 4-2 lead at the break. 
 
Key messages at half time was to keep hold of the ball better and make lives much easier for ourselves!!! City were even better in the 2nd half than they were in the first half, the ball retention was excellent and pressing at 16s was even better. It was no surprise that Jonny Pyatt in the City goal had little to do, and it was City who again racked up the goals. Rees managed to bag his fourth with another drag flick before Chris Perry finished another on the reverse before Joe Koniecnzy tapped in a Tom Ling cross for a 7th.  
 
Overall a 7-2 victory on the opening game of the season, not a lot more a new captain could of asked for, well maybe a clean sheet would of been nice, since he is a defender!!!