Results

WOMENS 3RD XI - 16/03/2024 VS HARLESTON MAGPIES 3 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 3rd XI 
DATE: 16/03/2024 
FIXTURE: Womens 3rd XI VS 16/03/2024 
HEADLINE: An eventful day! 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 2 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: TRF 
RESULT: City 3s 0 - 2 Magpies 3s 
 
REPORT: 
Match Report - apologises I couldn’t remember much of the match!  
 
An eventful day! 
 
A lovely sunny day welcomed us for our last home match of the season against Harleston Magpies.  
 
With very low availability across the club this weekend we still managed to have a squad of 12.5 players with a mixture of youth and experience.  
 
We were in a relaxed but silently confident mood as we utilised the very short warm up time we had due to the umpires wanting to start on time!  
 
The weather was ideal hockey weather, we had a squad of youth and experience and we were relaxed and ready to give the opposition a good match. However from the very start our opposition were quick and focussed and we knew we would have to work very hard to get any sort of a result. 
 
Our defence of Jess, Kim, Chloe and Karren were constantly kept on their toes as wave after wave of attacks were met by calming defiance. Sadly Harleston found a way through and we were 1-0 down at half time but we still had hope. 
 
However not to be deterred our screens Evie and Kate were distributing the ball wide where Winnie, Sofia, Lola and Hollie were waiting to make themselves a nuisance by making driving runs on each side of the pitch. Our forwards Vicky and Rachel were sniffing out any opportunities which may come our way. 
 
Sadly Harleston scored again from a short corner and we were 2-0 down. 
 
However we weren’t deterred and kept working and supporting one another against a very attacking team.  
 
Harleston were pushing hard for another goal when Kim received a head injury which quickly quietened the mood of the players. After ensuring Kim was okay she was walked off the pitch to the sounds of sportsmanship clapping from Harleston Magpies.  
 
The match was restarted with only 15 minutes remaining. The defence worked right to the final whistle to ensure that the score remained 2-0 by making some great goal line saves.  
 
Thanks to Ali for coaching tips on how we could break through Harleston’s defences and to Bambi for just being there! 

MENS 1ST XI - 17/03/2024 VS UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM 2 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 1st XI 
DATE: 17/03/2024 
FIXTURE: Mens 1st XI VS 17/03/2024 
HEADLINE: Norwich made to work away against Birmingham 
LEAGUE: CONFERENCE MIDLANDS 
VENUE: Birmingham University  
RESULT: 4-3 win  
 
REPORT: Another week and another dominant opening few minutes from Norwich city, just as they started versus Uni Of Nottingham, Uni of Birmingham struggling to get a touch of the ball and Norwich City threatening. First through Chris Wardale after his deflection from a Harry Gill hit was saved and then Cameron Cooke after his shot blazed past the far post and finally Elliot Hibell who had a drag flick saved. Sadly those missed chances came to pay as Birmingham deservedly won a penalty flick and converted to take the lead against the run of play. This goal switched the balance of power as the roles reversed and Norwich couldn't seem to keep the ball or get out of their own half and Birmingham looked to be on top. They won a short corner but Elliot Hibell deflected it running 1 and managed to find Cam Cooke for a counter attack and he found Dave Gilbert who rounded the keeper and scored past the lone remaining defender and restored the balance to the scoreline. Q1 ended 1-1. 
Q2 started with a flurry of birmingham chances, first a save from Alastair Cooke in open play and then from a short corner. It was third time lucky for UoB as they hit the post and then it fell to an unmarked attacker who easily finished and regained the lead for the home side. Half time Norwich 2-1 down and aware they weren't at their best yet and have more to give in the second half. 
Norwich started the second half a player down after Harry Gill got a yellow just before halftime. The card also meaning he will miss the season curtain closer as this card results in a one match ban due to accumulation of yellow cards across the season. As soon as Norwich were back to their full complement the chances came flowing. Firstly Cameron Cooke and Max Wilson having hits saved and then another Short corner save from the Birmingham keeper. Middle of the quarter a superbly clinical attack from Norwich, Tom Harris found Elliot Hibell who had time to turn and find Cameron Cooke in space and he calmly went past 3 defenders and reversed across the goalkeeper to compete a second Norwich comeback. Quarter 3 closed with an incredible overhead goal line save at a penalty corner from Tom Harris (please refer to the NCHC twitter for video evidence of the audaciousness of the save). Q3 ended 2-2.  
Quarter 4 opening with a similar goal from cam but this time it was Dave Gilbert that found cam in space and he went forehand instead this time and rocketed the ball over the helpless birmigham keepers shoulder. Max Wilson soon completed the comeback with a solo run and reverse into the bottom right corner from the top left. With a minute left a UoB short corner was deflected and looped over everyone to find it's way into the goal.  
UoB proceeded to pull their keeper for the last charge but Cam Cooke saw out the remaining 60 seconds in their 23 and had comeback from behind twice for a hard earned victory.