Results

MENS 1ST XI - 16/11/2025 VS STOURPORT 1 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 1st XI 
DATE: 16/11/2025 
FIXTURE: Mens 1st XI VS 16/11/2025 
HEADLINE: Norwich make an explosive start and Stourport can't come back 
LEAGUE: CONFERENCE MIDLANDS 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT: 5-0 win 
 
REPORT: Despite having only faced each other twice, the history between Stourport and Norwich is already intense. Their inaugural meeting saw Norwich travel the long distance to Worcestershire and dramatically shatter Stourport's remarkable 55-game unbeaten streak with a last-minute winner. The rivalry intensified further when, after a tight battle throughout the season, Stourport pipped Norwich to promotion into Division 1 by a mere four points. Now, Stourport finds themselves back in Conference Midlands, fiercely determined to fight their way back to the second tier of English hockey. 
​Norwich dominated the early phases of play, controlling possession for the entire first two minutes. This early momentum soon led to the opening goal. From centre-back, Harry Brown launched a half-pitch-length diagonal pass to right-wing, where Jonty Black had made a perfectly-timed lead. Black quickly turned and drove hard towards the baseline, delivering a sharp cross into the D. James Mackenzie's deflection was initially pushed wide by the Stourport goalkeeper, but James was the quickest to react, regaining the clearance and firing the ball back into the D, resulting in the game's first short corner. Elliot Hibell stepped up and confidently slotted the penalty corner into the top-left corner, putting the icing on the cake of a brilliant Norwich start. 
​​Late in the first quarter, Norwich continued to press their advantage. A crisp give-and-go between Lawry Williams and Tom Cooke saw Tom find Max Wilson at the centre spot. Wilson instantly turned and accelerated, breaking quickly toward the top of the D. He effortlessly outpaced three defenders before calmly placing a precise reverse pass to Cam Cooke on the P-spot. Cam, with a single, unselfish touch, threaded the ball to the arriving Ben Chapman, who expertly drove the ball into the empty net. It was a masterclass of attacking hockey, showcasing gorgeous passing and fluid movement from start to finish. ​The first quarter concluded with Norwich City leading 2-0. 
The second quarter opened with Norwich looking to maintain their dominant position. Thomas Cooke delivered a powerful slap to the overlapping George Bedford, who then quickly threaded the ball to James Mackenzie near the baseline. James, demonstrating superb stick work, beat two initial defenders and attempted to take on the goalkeeper as his third victim, but the keeper was equal to the challenge, confidently smothering the shot and snuffing out the dangerous attack. 
Stourport Gains Confidence Following that save, Stourport began to build in confidence, slowly piecing together several effective D entries. However, the Norwich defense, marshaled by Simon Dolan, remained steadfast, consistently dealing with the contested hits launched from the top of the D. Stourport then sent a threatening ball fizzing across the face of the goal, but frustratingly for the away side, no attacker could get on the end of it, a clear warning sign of the potency Stourport had. Stourport's rising pressure continued and they pressed higher, aiming to disrupt the flow of the game. This forced Norwich to play with patience and discipline around the back and through the midfield to successfully regain control of the tempo. Norwich managed the five minutes of sustained Stourport pressure with maturity and composure. The team then launched a lightning-fast counter-attack led by Louis Preston, Lawry Williams, and Ben Chapman. During the decisive breakaway, Louis's pass caught a Stourport defender's foot, resulting in the team's second penalty corner of the match. James Mackenzie was chosen to take the ensuing drag-flick. He delivered an unstoppable, confident strike that flew just above the backboard, finding the net. Just before halftime, Norwich had landed a decisive blow. HT: 3-0. 
The third quarter began with a flash of attacking threat from Norwich. Cam Cooke executed a perfect tackle just outside the D and immediately unleashed a quick reverse stick shot that the Stourport goalkeeper confidently saved at the near post. ​Norwich’s pressure soon paid off again. Lawry Williams played a crisp one-two with George Bedford to bypass the midfield, gaining entry into the D and forcing a foot from a Stourport defender with ease, winning another penalty corner. Elliot Hibell, stepping up for his second flick of the game, and found the net for the second time. The shot may have gone straight down the middle, but it was done with such power that the goalkeeper was caught by surprise, unable to keep it out. The score was now 4-0. ​At this point, both sides appeared to have tacitly accepted the result. Stourport became far less aggressive in their press, allowing Norwich to calmly retain possession in the midfield. Despite Norwich's attempts to inject pace into their attack, the Stourport defence had now dropped into a disciplined low block, making them exceptionally difficult to break down. The quarter ended quietly, with the score remaining 4-0. 
​A handful of minutes into the final quarter, the scoreboard changed again. A heavy through-pass, which appeared to be running off the backline, was relentlessly chased down by the incredibly speedy Jonty Black. With his one decisive touch, Black placed the ball perfectly onto the foot of his marking defender, earning yet another penalty corner. ​Elliot Hibell stepped up, aiming for a hattrick of drag-flicks. His shot was initially saved by the keeper, who batted it away to the left side of the D. However, Ben Chapman was quick to pounce on the loose ball. With a quick feint and turn, he created space and slotted the ball onto a defender's foot, re-winning the corner. This time, Hibell made no mistake. He drilled a flick into much the same area but with significantly more pace, catching the keeper flat-footed. The ball struck the keeper's pad and ricocheted up into the roof of his own net, completing Hibell’s impressive hattrick. The score stood at a commanding 5-0 to Norwich. 
​In the dying seconds, Lawry Williams made two defenders look foolish with a sharp turn before playing the ball onto the foot of a third, securing one final penalty corner as time expired. Cam Cooke took the final drag-flick, producing an excellent, powerful strike aimed for the mid-left side netting, but the Stourport keeper pulled off an astonishing diving stick save with the last touch of the game, keeping the final score at 5-0. 
City delivered a dominant and mature performance, effectively managing a tricky opponent and building their lead through clinical finishing from penalty corners and beautifully worked open play goals. The 5-0 victory sees Norwich City move up to 3rd place in the league table. Next week, they face a pivotal clash: an away fixture against 2nd-place Oxford Hawks, where a win would see them leapfrog their new rivals.