Results

MENS DEVELOPMENT XI - 14/04/2018 VS WATTON (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens Development XI 
DATE: 14/04/2018 
FIXTURE: Mens Development XI VS 14/04/2018 
HEADLINE: Fun in the sun 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT: NCHC Devs 14 - 0 Watton 
 
REPORT: 
As expected from their previous encounters this year City dominated from start to finish. Whilst it is always nice to score some goals in the glorious spring like weather it was also pleasing to see how well the five U12 players, including debutants Sam Kassulke and Louis Miller, acclimatised to 11-a-side hockey and looked totally at ease on and off the ball, which bodes well for next year. 
 
Ethan Rushton scored the first goal, swiftly followed by a second which came as the result of a delightful flowing move from midfield, out to the right and slipped back for Ethan to slot home. A brace from Freddie Paterson and one from Corey Rushton made it 5-0 at half time. It was particularly pleasing to see two touch passing Hockey that came to the fore as the half progressed, with Angus Irving yet again prominent in how to create space and keep things simple with accurate and incisive passing. 
 
With the focus in the second half on passing rather than dribbling City aimed to play a four touch game, to limit too much dribbling. This worked well and the team looked much better when they played with their heads up and actually looked to pass first. Given virtually the whole game was played inside the Watton half there were a lot of creative substitutions to try and ensure defensive and attacking duties were shared around....not an easy task when at one point our two defenders for that moment were seen camped on the opposition 23m line....hmm! 
 
Anyway, in terms of the second half stats, Jonty Black scored 4, Freddie 2, Oliver Moore 2 and Edward Beake 1 despite a managerial rule that said if you scored you were substituted. Sam, Rocco Iaccarino, Alex Illing and Farren Miller all came close to scoring but were thwarted by some excellent saves by the 9 year old Watton keeper or scrambled goal line clearances. 
 
Special mention to Josie Miller in the City goal whose only touch was at the very end of the match when every City player crowded round the D for a final penalty corner, sadly neither Josie nor the team could contour a magical finale. 
 
Man of the match was Josie Miller for concentrating throughout and making it into the opposition D.