Results

WOMENS 3RD XI - 19/11/2022 VS NORWICH DRAGONS 3 (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens 3rd XI 
DATE: 19/11/2022 
FIXTURE: Womens 3rd XI VS 19/11/2022 
HEADLINE: A narrow score line… 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 2 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Dragons 
RESULT: 2-2 Draw 
 
REPORT: 
City 3s started the match vs Dragons 3s full of confidence after their first win of the season last week! The first half saw end to end play with the city fullbacks confidently seeing off Dragons’ efforts. City had several great attacks with Ange Hindle controlling the midfield and distributing the ball well. Lucy McNarry consistently stormed through the Dragons defence down the right wing but unfortunately City went into the half time break 1-0 down following an unlucky goal.  
In the second half, City finally managed to convert one of their many penalty corners. Sadly, their joy was short lived as Dragons almost immediately regained their lead. Not ready to give up the unbeaten streak (surely one game counts as a streak?!) Charlie Hudson-Madge made another strong run with the ball and her cross was slotted home by Helen Brockington. With just five minutes to play, City pushed for the win with a penalty corner on the final whistle but had to settle for a draw in the end.  
A great team performance showing real potential for some more wins to come this season! 

WOMENS 5TH XI - 19/11/2022 VS EVERGREENS 1 (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens 5th XI 
DATE: 19/11/2022 
FIXTURE: Womens 5th XI VS 19/11/2022 
HEADLINE: Evergreens Vs womens 5 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST (NORTH) 
VENUE: Dereham hockey club  
RESULT:2/0 
 
REPORT: Great Defending 
Early start away at Dereham against Evergreens, we were hopeful for some points. 
The opposition started very quick & strong and were straight in our D putting the defence under pressure. Only 3 minutes in and they were awarded a penalty flick, the keeper made a great save. 
The first half Emma, Alli, Netty, Jess and keeper Jo defended so many short corners, but they finally scored from a deflection from a short corner at 32mins. 
Half time talk by Marie, we had more possession in the 2nd half and had some great runs. 
Evergreens were intent to keep up the pressure, more short corners defended brilliantly, they kept pressing and had a quick break from the half way line and a strong finish and scored their 2nd goal. 
Fast action match, great play by both teams, neither giving up. 
Missing some of our usual players this week, Olivia joined us and had a great debut game. 
POTM Jo Di-Corpo 
 
 

WOMENS 6TH XI - 19/11/2022 VS DEREHAM 3 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 6th XI 
DATE: 19/11/2022 
FIXTURE: Womens 6th XI VS 19/11/2022 
HEADLINE: A Tough Game Against Top Of The League 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 4 NORTH EAST (NORTH) 
VENUE: TRF 
RESULT: 0-3 
 
REPORT: 
 
City turned up to their late game fielding a very mixed-up team and expectations were not high going into this match with the top-of-the-league opposition, but by god... what a team! 
 
City held Dereham to account for three-quarters of the game, keeping the score line at zero despite numerous attempts on our goal and having expected a difficult game and a lot of goals. We passed well, kept it wide and kept them out of our goal, whilst getting some good opportunities on their goal. Unfortunately, they broke through with the first goal of the game and another two followed. City fought till the end and despite the loss, were pleasantly surprised by the gameplay and the challenge we posed to Dereham. 
 
POTM went to Sam Harvey for some incredible defending!!! 
 

FILLIES XI - 20/11/2022 VS OLD LOUGHTONIANS U16 (H) 
 
TEAM: Fillies XI 
DATE: 20/11/2022 
FIXTURE: Fillies XI VS 20/11/2022 
HEADLINE: U16 Girls reach last 10 of U16 Plate 
LEAGUE: U16 Girls Tier 1 Plate 
VENUE: Taverham Recreation Facilities 
RESULT: Norwich City 5 Old Loughtonians 1 
 
REPORT: 
Well done to the U16s girls for their 5-1 victory against Old Loughts on Sunday. A great result to come away with and well deserved.  
 
At the start this looked to be a very equal match with Grace scoring the first goal for City, with Old Loughts scoring shortly after following a short corner.  
 
A great finish from Evie meant we finished the first half 2-1, with all to play for in the second half 
 
After our half time team talk, City regrouped and took the attack to opposition. A second goal for Grace shortly after the restart gave City a little breathing space.  
 
With Old Loughts mounting numerous attacks, City’s defence had their work cut out. However a strong defensive performance and some great teamwork, ensured no further goals were conceded. Some creative midfield play and passing set up Grace who scored 2 further goals, one from a penalty stoke having been felled by their keeper. 
 
A great win for City today. 
 
 

MENS 1ST XI - 20/11/2022 VS HARBORNE 1 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 1st XI 
DATE: 20/11/2022 
FIXTURE: Mens 1st XI VS 20/11/2022 
HEADLINE: Long Away Day Ends In Defeat For M1s 
LEAGUE: CONFERENCE MIDLANDS 
VENUE: King Edwards VI Boys School  
RESULT: 1-5 L 
 
REPORT: 
An early wake up call in the rain meant lots of catching up on sleep on the journey to Birimgham. We knew Harborne had been on a slide of back to back losses of late so would be fired up to end that streak at home... 
 
And we really weren't wrong. Harborne were confident, quick and clinical. And we were caught off the pace for the first quarter. With quick 1-2s all the way from defence to attack they'd won their first short corner inside 2 minutes and had their first goal 30 seconds later, a drag from their player/Coach Peter Jackson who has been on incredible goal scoring form so far this year.  
Slowly we grew into the game and allowed less time and space through the middle channel for Harborne to raid through, but they were still creating chance after chance. Albeit Alastair Cooke, Harry Brown, Alex Scott, Krishna Patel and Tom Harris all on hand at varying points throughout the quarter to win their battles and avoid giving away fouls. And it remained 0-1 to the close the quarter.  
 
2nd quarter was more of the same, tough battle and City's defence staying strong but still all Harborne in possession. 7 minutes in they had won their second short corner of the game and scored their second goal. Same as before, Peter Jackson drag. Both sides exchanged cards but neither side really created much for the remainder of the half and it finished 0-2 at HT. 
 
After a rousing half time team talk we came out strong and found ourselves in the Harborne D on numerous occasions but couldn't find a foot, foul or goal bound shot to really trouble them. We then went down to ten men for 10 mimutes as Josh Baker went to ground to make a tackle that was deemed a foul. Seemed harsh but did hamper our comeback somewhat. We spent the next 10 minutes fighting like dogs to remain in the game and with an incredible short corner pick from Harry Brown aswell as another goal line clearance from Jonty Black we did just that. A man down for 10 minutes but no goal conceded and with that lifting us Cam Cooke even forced a few saves from their keeper, and we had Harborne on the backfoot for the first time in the game. Unfortunately after the mental & physical effort of being down we had a momentary lapse in concentration and an unmarked player at the backpost managed to tap-in for a 3 goal lead 10 seconds before the end of the quarter. Q3: 0-3. 
 
The 4th quarter began and with nothing to lose we threw everything at Harborne, including, but not limited to, Tom Cooke aerials and afterJosh Baker gave his all to chase one to the baseline and ending up over the pitch barrier doing so, Cam Cooke picked up the free ball and danced around the D hoping to win a short corner but advantage was played and he rocketed a hit into the top corner, the Harborne keeper had been excellent all game but no keeper was saving that! 1-3, hope of a comeback had arrived. We continued the momentum and won our first short corner of the game, although a poor injection meant we couldn't make much of it. We had a hit blazed across the D that couldn't quite reach Louis Preston and a similar ball across to Chris Wardale that the keeper was equal to. We were well and truly in the game but Harborne still threatened and after a quick counter and a messy D from a rebound off an Alastair Cooke save fell to a Harborne forward for an easy hit into an almost empty net and crush our momentum by restoring their 3 goal lead with less than 5 minutes to go. In the final minute Harborne won their 6th short corner of the game and scored their 4th short corner goal with it.  
 
Final score 5-1 to the hosts. I would say 5 goals flattered them but no doubt who the better side was. Harborne showed why they're going for promotion to division 1 by finishing almost everything they had. We lacked that clinical edge but you have those days. We go again. 
 
A tough loss and plenty lessons to learn. We won't get everything right 100% of the time and won't get everything our own way in this league. A great 70 minutes of effort despite being down for 95% of it, impeccable mental strength shown by all to keep fighting to get back into it. The perfect warm up for the Norfolk Derby at Taverham this coming weekend! 
 
 

MENS 3RD XI - 19/11/2022 VS HARLESTON MAGPIES 3 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 19/11/2022 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 19/11/2022 
HEADLINE: So near yet..... 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 2 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT: City 2 - 3 Magpies 
 
REPORT: 
Sometimes you just want to celebrate and marvel at the combination of the ageless experienced heads and skillful dynamic youth that pervade throughout our glorious hockey club. 
Our squad for this 3rd from top versus 3rd from bottom fixture included 3 silver tops (O50s), 7 U18s, and 4 somewhere in between!, including our latest debutant, 14 year-old James Mackenzie. 
Our visitors, Magpies, had a combination of 20-40 year-olds plus a couple of older teenagers. 
From the outset, the contrasting styles of the teams was apparent. Magpies opting for quick passing triangles and running off the ball with a zonal defence whilst City chased and pressed when defending throughout the pitch and used their stick skills to drive at their visitor's defence in a blur of hand and ball that are well beyond the wildest dreams of your scribe and erstwhile 3rd team leader, captain Black. 
Magpies started the better with City's back 5 (Jim Pallister, Max McEwan, Sam Hancock, Ben Hawes, Henry Baker and Simon Black) and ever-dependent keeper, Tom Franks being called upon to blunt a wave of white and black attacks, including one particularly fine save. Having weathered the initial storm City's midfield and attack started to dominate led by the Tesla powered guile of Max Wilson, the intelligent and emerging talent of Charlie Hutchinson and the ever-smiling Mr. Versatile himself, George Brine. As more and more circle entries came, City generated a number of half chances and penalty corner opportunities thanks to Mr. Brine senior, Mr. Silvester and Mr. Luther. Whilst it was pleasing to see players really focusing on getting 'outcomes' from circle entries it was a little frustrating not to turn the penalty corners into goals. 
As is the way with close, hard fought games, Magpies then scored after 20 minutes as a result of a goal line scramble following second phase ball after a penalty corner. 
Undeterred, City pressed forward and levelled the score just 5 minutes later with a combination of fine play down the left (Sam Hancock), excellent decision making at the top of the D (Charlie Hutchinson/Jack Luther) and a clinical shot (Max Wilson). Sadly, Magpies regained the lead almost immediately when they pounced on turnover ball inside their own half and quickly transferred it to the wing, back inside and then unselfishly slipped for a clinical and well executed goal. HT 1-2. 
The second half continued in similar vein with the home side creating numerous penalty corners and half chances but to no avail whilst Magpies' pacey counterattacks were in the main calmly dealt with by City's pitch-wide defensive efforts. As the half wore on both sides were guilty of a few clumsy / competitive (but certainly not malicious) stick tackles that resulted in cards but neither side could push home their extra player advantage. In their efforts to capitalise on their attacking dominance, City became victims of trying to beat one too many defenders when perhaps a pass could have (would have?) been the better option. 
With five minutes to go Magpies made it 3-1 from a penalty corner. City's never say die attitude came to the fore as they won a penalty corner on the stroke of time which, City's player of the match, Max Wilson converted from a very tight angle. 
Nurturing and supporting this fine group of youngsters (and others throughout the club) should mean the future of the club remains bright. 
 

MENS 5TH XI - 19/11/2022 VS HARLESTON MAGPIES 5 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 5th XI 
DATE: 19/11/2022 
FIXTURE: Mens 5th XI VS 19/11/2022 
HEADLINE: Training, skill, effort and persistence pays off 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 4 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: TRF 
RESULT: 3-2 W 
 
REPORT: 
Massive thanks to all for turning up promptly, conveniently the pitch was free and we managed to have a team warm up.  This led to the team starting as they meant to carry on, they kept their shape throughout the 1st half with some minor changes for optimisation.  The defence, shielded well by Adam S provided a stable platform for the team to move forwards and whenever Harleston came forwards the defenders adroitly stepped forward and intercepted passes, Sam K was particularly good at this.  Additionally the forwards worked tirelessly once the ball was lost, putting the Harleston back line under pressure leading to our inside forwards and defenders managing to regain possession of the ball in the midfield areas.  Our forward players managed to win several short corners using their skills and driving runs, 2 of these were converted, Adam S the scorer of both.  Norwich went into the half time break 2 - 0 up. 
 
Unfortunately at the start of the second half the changes we had made in the first half unsettled us, Harleston had also changed their shape which caused us some issues.  This led to some Harleston pressure and caused Pete Smith to make some good saves.  Unfortunately they did manage to score 1 goal in the first 10 minutes of the second half to bring the score to 2 - 1.  The short break from them scoring and some substitutions enabled us to communicate with the team allowing us to get back into shape and from there we played the rest of the half solidly.     
 
I have to mention a piece of really nice 2 and 3 touch hockey by Mario and Ellis on the right hand wing as we practice this in training which eventually led to a nice pass to Nigel who had made a run into a "hook" unfortunately the final ball didn't quite make it to a Norwich stick, but if we continue to play like this we will win more games and look good doing it.  
 
With about 15 minutes to go Ellis managed to get the ball in a "hook" and scored from a very acute angle, unfortunately I missed this so can't describe it in any more detail.  Norwich then proceeded to show a level of calmness and skill to manage the remaining time out, coming out 3 -1 victors. 
 
A great team performance by all involved with plenty of effort and skill shown, which lead to a convincing victory over a team who are near the top of the league.  Everyone should be very happy with this weekends performance