Results

WOMENS 2ND XI - 12/11/2022 VS IPSWICH 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 2nd XI 
DATE: 12/11/2022 
FIXTURE: Womens 2nd XI VS 12/11/2022 
HEADLINE: A close game against old rivals 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 1 NORTH 
VENUE:Taverham 
RESULT:1-1 Draw 
 
REPORT: 
A late morning game saw City play their old rivals Ipswich, who got promoted with them but sit at the top of the table. City knew they had a tough game ahead but pre-game nerves were settled with a confident warm up and changing room talk from captain Georgia Cleveland and pre match chat from Tapin, they were raring to go. 
 
City started with possession however Ipswich quickly turned over the ball and applied heavy pressure on City. City struggled under the pressure and POTM Summer Haylock was called upon early to shot stop. City's defense clicked into gear and kept the ball outside the D as best they could with some impressive marking from captain Georgia Cleveland and Gillian Allen which allowed Helen Busfield to tuck neatly in and make some great tackles. But Ipswich were relentless and managed to win and subsequently convert a short corner.  
 
This did not deter City and they put their defensive shields up, led by Summer at the back, Libby Thorne sat in front tackling left right and centre. A nervy moment came when Ipswich won a short corner and a couple of eager beavers broke the line too early leaving Summer, Libby and Gillian to defend against upwards of 8 Ipswich attackers. The pressure was on, but they remained calm and dealt with the short corner with ease (who needs 5 defenders anyway??). City were back in the game, Hannah Jarvis played some lovely balls up the line to Emily Leeming who was cutting inside and connecting with Sophie Bendon up front. She made some lovely runs into the D and created some great opportunities.  
 
On the other side of the pitch Lauren Lawrie was using her sick stick skills to get around several Ipswich players and then passing it to Grace Hanworth-Knights who was sitting up top. Grace also used her amazing skills within the D to take some great shots and win short corners but Ipswich defense was sharp and City couldn't quite convert their chances into goals.  
 
City went into half-time 1-0 down but this definitely didnt mean they were out of the game. A quick pep talk from Tapin surrounding possession and a reminder from Helen B that the team was playing amazingly and to keep positive set City up for the second half.  
 
Ipswich pushed hard at the beginning of the second half and City did well to absorb the pressure, Helen Harper-Lambert was working tirelessly through the middle and most of the play was around the centre of the pitch. City's strong back line allowed the rest of the team to push hard, Milly Brown connecting nicely with Rosie Ringer who casually spinted (one-handed) up the line and cut into the D winning free hits and short corners. City knew a goal was coming, they were playing beautifully in and around the D, and Emma Hewitt was working their keeper hard.  
 
Finally, around 10 minutes before the final whistle, City's determination paid off. Some great link up play from the defense through every line up the pitch resulted in Grace with the ball top D, she took a shot, the keeper tried to save it but simply slowed it down and City equalised!  
 
City had gained momentum for the last 10 minutes and were pushing for the win however Ipswich weren't finished yet and made a last ditch effort within a short corner. But Summer wasn't having any of it and calmly saved the shot. The final whistle blew and City took the point.  
 
A great performance from City saw them take a deserved point as they sit 4th in the table. They maintain their unbeaten run against Ipswich and didn't have to rely of kicking the ball over the line this time. 
 

WOMENS 3RD XI - 12/11/2022 VS HARLESTON MAGPIES 3 (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens 3rd XI 
DATE: 12/11/2022 
FIXTURE: Womens 3rd XI VS 12/11/2022 
HEADLINE: FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON! 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 2 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Harleston Magpies 
RESULT: 1-0 WIN 
 
REPORT: 
One for sorrow! Yeap, to point it out, we won our first league game against Magpies. 
Two for joy! We won a game and were off the bottom! Due to true grit and determination. 
Three for a girl! Well, we had 14 super women in the squad today who all played their part, a great team performance. 
Four for a boy! our very own Ali with his mustache - and of course his clipboard in attendance to help us get the win! 
Five for silver! We defended all five of their short corners attempts with ease and kept it out. 
Six for Gold! I’ll take that for POM, thank you, womens, although I think we all deserved a share of it today! 
Seven for a secret never to be told!  
Eight for a wish! Once upon a time............ you fill in the rest! 
Nine for a kiss! Come on, we’re only for playing hockey! 
Ten for a surprise you should be careful not to miss! Things happen in a game sometimes that you have to pay special attention to, in this instance, Longy went over the 23rd today into unknown territory thankfully she found her way back. 
Eleven for health! No accidents were reported this week! 
Twelfth for wealth! Our teamwork and a beautiful pass from Evie from a short corner led to Charlie getting a deflection and our well-deserved goal! 
Thirteen for our devil herself - I’ll leave that for you to decide! 

WOMENS 5TH XI - 12/11/2022 VS NORWICH DRAGONS 5 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 5th XI 
DATE: 12/11/2022 
FIXTURE: Womens 5th XI VS 12/11/2022 
HEADLINE: City 5’s Vs dragon 5’s  
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST (NORTH) 
VENUE: Norwich city  
RESULT: 
1-1  
REPORT: Short corner central 
After a frantic five minutes, city finally settled into building a solid line against a well practiced attacking team. Dragons were quick paced and well practiced, but City pushed back hard clearing the ball and keeping the score line equal. After what could have been 6 short corners, or 600, and lots of imaginative defending, dragons finally managed to tap one over the line on the right post making them one up. City didn’t let this dampen their spirits and a good run of passes through the middle from great runners Chloe and Marie, and Sophia and Amy higher up finally saw the ball push up towards the opposing d. A great play between Marie and Alice hood saw the ball finally get into the goal levelling the score sheet at the 12 minute mark.  
The game continued in this spirit with a tiring city continuing to block dragons in any way they could. As the outfield players tired goalkeeper Jo made some amazing saves on and off the line, ensuring that we finished the game as a draw, and a well deserved one at that! Onwards and upwards! Player of match was Jess Turnnard  
 

WOMENS 6TH XI - 12/11/2022 VS DISS 1 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 6th XI 
DATE: 12/11/2022 
FIXTURE: Womens 6th XI VS 12/11/2022 
HEADLINE: A Difficult Game for City 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 4 NORTH EAST (NORTH) 
VENUE: TRF 
RESULT: 0-5 
 
REPORT: 
 
City turned up to their late game in good spirits not knowing much about our opposition, but ready to take on anything ahead of us.  
 
We started off strong, keeping good possession and breaking down their play, barely allowing Diss into our 23, let alone our D. However after 20 mins Diss broke into the lead, converting their first short corner into a goal. This unfortunately was followed by another three short corners, which Diss scored.  
 
City looked defeated and needed to shake things up after half-time. Diss started well and scored a further 2 goals from short corners putting them 0-5 in the lead. City pulled together for the last 15 minutes putting pressure on the opposition D. We had a couple of great chances with some great runs from Niamh Rushton and Cara Bredican, and Sarah Sandell did score a goal; however, it was disallowed as she put it in the goal with her foot :) 
 
It wasn't the game we planned, but when the going got tough, City pulled together and battled till the end. POTM when to Sam Harvey for some solid defending, commanding the defensive line, and even making up a few rhythms in her spare time. 
 

WOMENS DEVELOPMENT XI - 12/11/2022 VS HARLESTON MAGPIES (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens Development XI 
DATE: 12/11/2022 
FIXTURE: Womens Development XI VS 12/11/2022 
HEADLINE: One a piece  
LEAGUE: NORFOLK DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE:TRG 
RESULT: 1-1 Draw 
 
REPORT: 
City started well, passing the ball around with good pace and accuracy. With only one actual defender available we switched our formation and played with just two at the back. It seemed to work well with Lucy Stafford winning player of the match at the back. Sophie Evans made some great clearances to the sides and came out and took on some attackers one on one. We had great strength across the midfield with Laila distributing the ball well, Phoebe showing great strength with her passing and really taking time to look at where players were. Lola’s workrate was phenomenal and she did some great attacking runs and crosses into the shooting circle. Chloe held the centre midfield well, tackling, working so hard and passing the ball out to the sides for some great 2v1s. Captain Susannah tackled well and drove forwards as an inner and her Mum Mary joined us for the game and played out on the wing. Sophie B looked up well to make some great passes forwards as the other inner. Our forward line of Niamh, Megan and Amber had some awesome attacks, eliminating players and getting some great shots away. Amber’s confidence and power has grown rapidly over the past month or so which is great to see. Also big thanks to senior player Summer who came along and played at the back alongside our pocket rocket Lucy to support and coach the girls from the pitch.  
It was a very even game with Niamh scoring our only goal.  
The team are growing and developing every week and it’s great to see. They take on North Norfolk away at Sheringham High School this week, 5pm start.  
 

MENS 1ST XI - 13/11/2022 VS UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 1st XI 
DATE: 13/11/2022 
FIXTURE: Mens 1st XI VS 13/11/2022 
HEADLINE: Mens 1s Win Close Affair At Taverham  
LEAGUE: CONFERENCE MIDLANDS 
VENUE: Taverham Recreational Facility  
RESULT: 2-1 W 
 
REPORT: 
Birmingham made the 300 mile round trip that we will become familiar of with our first trip to Bimrgimham next week and 2 more trips there in the second half of the season. 
 
Even with the long journey they didnt come out sleepy at all with a full press aimed to catch us off guard but our experienced defenders stood strong and kept the ball in the face of pressure. Slowly Birmingham stepped their press off and the game opened up. But this came to their advantage as they saw joy down the wings and gained 2 D entries. First entry saw a reverse shot saved by Alastair Cooke and the 2nd saw a short corner win but once again Alastair Cooke was equal to it. Then the last 5 minutes of the quarter were all City. Josh Baker & Cam Cooke both having shots saved before Josh Baker and Jonty Black linked up to win a short corner. The Birmingham keeper was equal to Tom Cookes drag and Jonty Blacks rebound. Q1 ended 0-0. 
 
The 2nd quarter saw both sides trying the aerial route, with Norwich coming off the better of the two in the air. One such aerial led to Elliot Hibell winning our 2nd short corner of the game but once again the UoB keeper was equal to our drags, this time from Cam Cooke. Shortly after Elliot Hibell was on hand again, this time to win a penalty stroke after a foot on the line from his goal ward bound shot. Cam Cooke stepped up and planted it into the corner and Norwich had a well deserved lead. Birmingham got fired up for the last few minutes of the half and came back at us, winning 2 short corners in the process but between Alex Scott and Alastair Cooke they were able to save anything that came towards the goal.  
HT: 1-0 NCHC. 
 
Much the same as the 1st half, the 2nd half got underway and Birmingham were on top.  
Winning 2 more short corners but again and again they couldn't make the corners pay. And their 5th short corner resulted in a quick Norwich counter all the way to their own D to concede a short corner. UoB Keeper was once again equal to all our attempts goalward. 
After plenty end to end hockey Birmingham finally dealt a killer counter attack after a forward found himself on the ball in the D after some sharp work down the right hand side. His reverse nestled in the side netting and they deservedly brought the game to 1-1 to close Q3. 
 
The start of the 4th quarter saw Birmingham go a man down after hitting a ball away and City saw this as a chance to push for the win. And this hope was immediately increased after our visitors picked up a 2nd yellow for a stick tackle and we made the numerical advantage pay as Josh Baker got a turnover in their 23 and then reversed it chest height into space across the face of the D and Elliot Hibell acrobatically dived and deflected the ball in for an incredible 2-1 lead. In the final 5 minutes we got a yellow card of our own but the lads maturely held on for the full 3 points. 
 
Tight battle at Taverham, Birmingham showing why they've been so tough to beat this season and will be a hard away day in 2023. But the boys in yellow got the job done today and are well ahead of expectations for this point in the season. Well done! 
 
 

MENS 3RD XI - 12/11/2022 VS UNIVERSITY OF EAST ANGLIA 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 12/11/2022 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 12/11/2022 
HEADLINE: Well deserved 1-1 draw against a Youthful Opposition 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 2 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT: 1:1 
 
REPORT: On 12th November, Norwich City Men’s 3s hosted UEA Men’s 2, where 11th played 9th in the table in what proved to be a competitive match. The first half saw some close chances for both sides with City’s back four of Ben Hawes, Simon Black, Henry Baker and Sam Hancock as well centre half Jim Pallister playing a vital role in keeping the score at 0-0 going into half time. Going into the second half, both sides continued pressing to find the opening goal, with an upfront pair of Richard Silvester and Mark Fletcher creating chances which were well kept out by the UEA defence. Inside forwards Henry Ashcroft and Ollie Millet, produced great efforts in midfield against a youthful opposition, with the later using his pace and skill to cause further problems towards the end of the game. His hard work was rewarded when he deflected in a Mark Fletcher shot with 10 minutes left. The team continued to defend well as the clock ran down, however, the persistent UEA side managed to convert a vital short corner at the back post, with Jim Pallister claiming confidently he was not to blame for the goal during match teas. In the end, the team had to settle for a frustrating yet well deserved 1-1 draw.