Results

WOMENS 3RD XI - 11/03/2023 VS NORWICH DRAGONS 3 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 3rd XI 
DATE: 11/03/2023 
FIXTURE: Womens 3rd XI VS 11/03/2023 
HEADLINE: It was alright on a perfect day- eventually!! 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 2 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: TRF 
RESULT: WON 4-3 
 
REPORT:  
With some matches being postponed due to the frosty start, our early afternoon match was held in glorious sunshine – perfect conditions in which to greet Norwich Dragons. 
 
With a strong squad, captained by Kim and Ali as our coach on the side line, we went onto the pitch determined 3 points would be ours. We had only just started the match when we awarded a short corner, resulting in India being slipped the ball and took a shot towards the far-right hand post where Lucy was waiting to deflect the ball into the net. 1-0 Great Start.  
 
Dragons started to push forward but City’s defence of Jess, Karren, Sally, Serena and Kim held fast soaking up the pressure which resulted in making a goal line clearance.  
 
We were soon 2-0 up when Helen smashed in a rebound from the right-hand side. With some great play from all positions, we soon found ourselves at half time 2-0 up. Mood was confident but with constructive feedback we headed back onto the pitch not wanting the win to slip away from us like last time!  
 
City’s forward and midfield line of Charlotte, Jen, Evie, Helen, Lucy, Oliva, India and Angie were working tirelessly to score again which saw great linking up between them. Another move on the right-hand side of the pitch saw Sally run half the pitch into the attacking circle and passed it back to the flick spot where Helen was waiting to bang it in the goal. We were now 3-0 up and feeling comfortable but then, with visions of our trip to the seaside flashing before our eyes, we lost shape and suddenly Dragons scored two goals in quick concession – now 3-2.  
 
City lost some composure in the second half as Dragons pushed hard to score. We thought we had sown up the 3 points when, you guessed it, Lucy crossed the ball from the right-hand side to find Charlotte waiting to put the ball into the back of the net. Job done – 4-2. Our sense of relief didn’t last long when much to our dismay Dragons scored again – 4-3. Having received regular “how much have we got left” updates from the umpires we knew all we had to do was to shut up shop and hang on – although Debenhams was called by Angie “the Hurricane” Hindle we didn’t react quick enough and before we knew it Dragons had a short corner awarded to them and seconds later the sound of the final whistle went making the scene become extremely tense! With a few words of encouragement and wisdom on the goal line the defence headed out with purpose and determination and moments later the win was ours. 

WOMENS 5TH XI - 11/03/2023 VS EVERGREENS 1 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 5th XI 
DATE: 11/03/2023 
FIXTURE: Womens 5th XI VS 11/03/2023 
HEADLINE: A game of two half’s pink/white  
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST (NORTH) 
VENUE: Norwich city hockey club  
RESULT:0-2  
 
REPORT: 
 
 
With half the team still in bed an hour before the game, convinced of a frozen pitch, Norwich City 5s took a while to wake up and get into the game. Evergreens didn’t seem to have had the same pre match routine and started well, quickly pressuring the 5s defence. City were able to clear their lines through great tackles and clearances from Sam, Rose, Bev and Millie but Evergreens continued to press, eventually winning a short corner. The colour of the ball meant GK Jo struggled to see the shot so 1-0 Evergreens. A quick ‘discussion’ of ‘new balls please’ and we were stuck with dirty pink (for now). The rest of the first half is best described as frustrating, more for the opposition who despite relentless attacks just couldn’t get past the City midfield/defence/GK. Excellent tracking back from the midfield Chloe, Amy, Sophia and Alice supported the defence to ensure any opportunities were blocked and possession regained for City 5s.  
 
Half time and we were feeling optimistic, a team talk from Ali reminding us to use the width and to get 5 at free hits (Rose got a few minutes rest on the bench in the first half) and we were all set for the second half until……the pink ball was back. 
 
Captain Amy stopped the game and reminded the umpire of the agreement for a white ball in the 2nd half. Evergreens denied any knowledge of this - VAR!!! Amy kept a calm head (while others around her did not) and finally the colour of the ball was decided by a coin toss (yes this actually happened) Amy was victorious and white is was. We felt like we had won the game. The second half (or white half) could finally get started.  
 
The second half was much more even, Evergreens continued to press, winning a number of short corners, the defence stayed strong, with some great saves by Jo and stops by Rose and Sam until finally a great strike from the top of the circle snuck in on the left post. 2-0 Evergreens.  
 
A good spell for City followed with great runs down the line from Alice, Esme and Fran and 
excellent work in the middle from Anna which won us a couple of short corners. Our best chances of the game came from these and Evergreens had to scramble to clear the goal line.  
 
Final score 2-0, we may have lost the game but we won the ball colour coin toss! 

WOMENS 6TH XI - 11/03/2023 VS DEREHAM 3 (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens 6th XI 
DATE: 11/03/2023 
FIXTURE: Womens 6th XI VS 11/03/2023 
HEADLINE: Sunny Dereham 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 4 NORTH EAST (NORTH) 
VENUE: Dereham 
RESULT: L 1-8 
 
REPORT: 
 
With some young legs, we skipped to Dereham to play against the top of the league with the aim to remain composed, focused and have a fun game.  
 
There was lots of activity in our goal with successful shots from Dereham, but managed to fight back and regain one goal from a baseline sweep from Saskia to Sarah Smith who popped it in the goal. 
 
A tough game, which was only to be expected, but we move on to next week and bringing our spirit back, watch out Dragons! 

MENS 1ST XI - 12/03/2023 VS LICHFIELD 1 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 1st XI 
DATE: 12/03/2023 
FIXTURE: Mens 1st XI VS 12/03/2023 
HEADLINE: Long Trip Well worth It To Bring Back 3 Points  
LEAGUE: CONFERENCE MIDLANDS 
VENUE: Lichfield Hockey Club 
RESULT: 5-1 W 
 
REPORT: Long journey to the middle of Staffordshire. 
Lots of noise from the supporters in the warmup but they were silenced after a goal with Norwich's first short corner. Cam Cooke on hand to drag past the keeper. Lichfield sat off to stop the momentum and Q1 finished 1-0. 2 minutes into Q2 Norwich had their 2nd short corner and both Norwich & Cam had their 2nd goal. The rest of the quarter saw both sides exchange short corners, lichfield had 3 but both Harry Brown and Alastair Cooke were equal to them. Norwich had 2 more but the Lichfield keeper was equal to both. HT: 2-0 to Norwich.  
The 2nd half continued the saga of exchanging short corners. Thankfully with Norwich's 5th corner the keeper wasn't able to stop Elliot Hibells drag and it was 3-0. But shortly after Lichfield scored their 4th corner with a superb drag into the top left. But as eluded to more shorts were to come and with 2 more for Norwich, they had 2 more goals. Firstly through Cam Cooke, completing his hattrick, followed by Elliot Hibell for his brace. 
No goals in the 4th quarter but a highlight goaline save from Jonty Black saw Norwich through to a confident 5-1 victory. All around Clinical display, Lichfield were tough to beat at times but Norwich kept the intensity and showed why they deserve to be in National League.