Results

WOMENS 2ND XI - 25/02/2023 VS CAMBRIDGE CITY 3 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 2nd XI 
DATE: 25/02/2023 
FIXTURE: Womens 2nd XI VS 25/02/2023 
HEADLINE: Red City, Yellow City, Red City, Yellow City, Red City, Yellow City 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 1 NORTH 
VENUE:TRF 
RESULT:3-3 Draw 
 
REPORT: 
After a good week of preparation, City were ready to host top of the league Cambridge City.  
 
Norwich started the game strong and proved their worth, creating a couple of chances on goal in the opening minutes. The midfield of Lauren Lawrie, Helen Harper-Lambert, Georgia Cleveland and Milly Brown, linked up well with both the defensive and forward lines. Emma Hewitt, sent several balls down the line for the Norwich forwards to chase onto as City continued to demonstrate their ability as the underdogs going into the fixture.  
 
As time went on, however, Cambridge showed why they are top of the league and with several attacks on the Norwich goal, took the lead from a deflected shot across the goal which was then converted. Norwich were unfortunate to find themselves a goal down.  
 
Norwich City kept their heads high and after several quick attacks and good link up play, Norwich won a well earned short corner. Cambridge City’s goalkeeper was determined to try and distract the home side with some loud vocals, but this did not deter Rosie Ringer who found the top corner of the net after her initial shot was blocked. 1-1.  
 
Play remained even as both teams continued to create chances and despite Norwich’s defensive resilience and some vital saves from Summer Haylock, Norwich were unable to keep Cambridge City out and they regained their advantage.  
 
Although going back to being a goal down, Norwich didn’t let this deter them. A great ball was played from the back, through the midfield and up to Sophie Bendon, who threaded a ball through to Grace Hanworth-Knights. Graces smart play brought the Cambridge goalkeeper out from her goal and found the far corner of the net with a slick reverse hit. Bringing the game back to 2-2 at the end of the first half.  
 
City continued the start of the second half with the high tempo they had set in the first half and continued to work on their build up play. As the half went on, chances went to both teams, with each trying to find the winner. Norwich’s defensive players Ella Gill, Rosie Jackson, India Fox, Leigh-Ann Worrall and Sabina Baker remained composed and Norwich managed to see out several Cambridge short corners in succession.  
 
Heading into the final 10 minutes, Cambridge City caught Norwich on the counter attack with 3v1. Summer Haylock made a great diving save for first shot on goal, but was unfortunately was unable to keep out the rebound. Cambridge City regained their lead again. 2-3.  
 
Despite conceding so late into the game after the team had been pushing and pushing for a winner, Rosie Jackson ensured the team remained positive for the final few minutes. This was shown on the pitch as City won a short corner in the final few seconds of the game after a barrage of stick tackles from the Cambridge City players in the final quarter. With the full time whistle gone Norwich City had a great opportunity to get a well deserved equaliser. A call from coach Tapin on the side of the pitch to go straight left to Sophie Bendon was perfectly executed and the ball hit the back of the net, ending the game 3-3.  
 
A well deserved point and great team performance against top of the league. However, more pleasing was to see how far the team has improved and adapted to their new league following a 4-1 loss in the reverse fixture at the start of the season.  
 
Also special shout out to Sabina Baker making her return after a long period out with injury. 
 

WOMENS 3RD XI - 25/02/2023 VS COLCHESTER 1 (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens 3rd XI 
DATE: 25/02/2023 
FIXTURE: Womens 3rd XI VS 25/02/2023 
HEADLINE: An unfortunate loss  
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 2 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Colchester  
RESULT: Lost 6-1 
 
REPORT: 
City travelled the two hours to Colchester, determined to improve on the 7-1 defeat of their last clash. This aim was reiterated by Claire's prematch talk, reminding us of the half court press we had practiced at training. During this talk Claire also welcomed Chloe and Esme, gratefully borrowed from the 5s, Charlie (who proved to be invaluable up front despite a bleeding finger) and Uma - back from injury - along with Uma's super coach mum.  
 
As the warm-up began, City immediately understood Colchester's keenness to warm-up on the lower half of the pitch. The effects of this were immediately felt as Colchester scored within the first 2 minutes of the starting whistle! Undeterred, City stepped up well during a short flurry of hail, Jess, Longy and Sally sticking tight on Colchester's speedy forward line. Unfortunately it wasn't enough to stop a second goal before Sally was floored by a rogue ball to the knee off a Colchester stick. Ange and Claire seeing the moment to call the half court press, ensured City held the score to 2-0 when the halftime whistle sounded.  
 
This is where City made their biggest mistake of the day, failing to bust out the trusty half-time sweets. It wasn't long before they paid the price. The second half got underway and three more goals were conceded, before Charlie saw the moment to storm City's only goal of the match. City conceded a final goal from a beautifully flicked short corner, but succeeded in their aim to keep the score below 7-1! 
 
Pleased with their performance, City headed off for teas where Frankie begrudgingly accepted the award of player of the match, and the dubious honour of writing the match report 

WOMENS 6TH XI - 25/02/2023 VS HERLINGS 1 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 6th XI 
DATE: 25/02/2023 
FIXTURE: Womens 6th XI VS 25/02/2023 
HEADLINE: A loss, but not as bad as we thought it could have been! 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 4 NORTH EAST (NORTH) 
VENUE: TRF 
RESULT: L 0-2 
 
REPORT: 
After our last encounter with Herlings, we knew we were up against a big hitting team, and braced ourselves for the battle. 
 
We were fielding a very young team, but this energetic and enthusiastic approach, teamed with with the dogged experience of the elders meant we were actually quite a force to be reckoned with.  
 
A bold strike on our goal saw us go one nil down, but City didn't let it keep us down. We fought back to keep them honest till half time and kept positivity high.  
 
The second half was much the same. A hard fought battle by City, and several saves off the line finally saw one further ball in the back of our goal. We ended 2 nil down but were pleasantly surprised that we had kept it to just that. 
 
Abbie, in her debut for the team, got a very well deserved POTM! 
 
 

MENS 1ST XI - 26/02/2023 VS NOTTINGHAM UNIVERSITY 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 1st XI 
DATE: 26/02/2023 
FIXTURE: Mens 1st XI VS 26/02/2023 
HEADLINE: Ten Goal Fest In Top Of The Table Clash at Taverham  
LEAGUE: CONFERENCE MIDLANDS 
VENUE: Taverham Recreational Facility  
RESULT: 4-6 L 
 
REPORT: The battle for 2nd place had arrived. Who would put themselves in pole position to challenge Harborne for the singular promotion spot in Conference Midlands. It was also a homecoming for Harry Paterson, although due to a thumb injury he was leading from the touchline instead.  
After a delay at pushback after Uni of Nottinghams CB forgot his playing shirt we were underway. And what a Start it was. Green card for a Notts player after 30 seconds, shots from Ben Chapman, Louis Preston, Jonty Black & Cam Cooke but no goals for City. And after Uni of Notts first attack and a save from Alastair Cooke they had a tap in to take the league. Q1: 0-1.  
Much the same story in quarter 2, lots of chances but just not falling for City. Thankfully Chris Wardale was on hand to win a pair of short corners and after the Notts keeper was equal to Elliott Hibells drag on the first, he wasn't equal to Tom Cookes with the 2nd and we had equalised. Annoyingly, a minute later Notts won their first short and took back to lead with a drag to deflection. Q2: 1-2. 
Cam Cooke started as we meant to go on winning an early short corner and after his drag was rebounded to Tom Cooke who slapped the ball in we had drawn level again. This time we kept going and Cam Cooke found Chris Wardale on the baseline who passed across to Jonty Black to force in at the backpost for our first lead in the game. But then a nightmare last 2 minutes saw Notts claw back control with a quick 1-2 punch of counter attack goals ending the quarter with a 4-3 lead. 
All guns blazing to start quarter 4. Cam Cooke hit and saved. Elliott Hibell short corner win and drag saved. Cam Cooke short corner win and drag saved. But none could make an impact on the scoreline. Before again a quick combination of counter attacking goals from Notts saw them pull away to a 6-3 lead. Norwich ended on a high with an Elliott Hibell drag to bring the scores within a respectable 2 goals. A short corner should have been given as time expired but the umpires called time instead. All-in-all a superb display of offensive hockey and despite Norwich City having the greater number of chances Nottingham came out victorious in an end to end spectacle. After City of Peterborough bested our Norfolk Hockey rivals Harleston Magpies 7-2 they have lept above us into 3rd but fortunately we have the chance to right that as they come to taverham next week for another big clash.  
 

MENS 3RD XI - 25/02/2023 VS SUDBURY 1 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 25/02/2023 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 25/02/2023 
HEADLINE: City 3s make it 5 wins in a row  
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 2 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Taverham  
RESULT: Norwich City 3s 2-1 Sudbury 1s 
 
REPORT: 
Norwich welcomed Sudbury to Taverham in what proved to be an entertaining mid table battle. Although missing some of the regulars, City welcomed back Tom Hindle and Matthew Fretwell back into the mix. 
 
Sudbury started strong, breaking regularly into the Norwich D but couldn’t quite summon a finish worth noting. As the game settled, City grew in confidence and began to break Sudbury down. With chances at both ends, it was Norwich who took the lead with a fine Richard Silvester deflection, beating the keeper. 
 
HT 1:0 
 
With the game restarting, Sudbury came straight out pushing for the equaliser and didn’t have to wait long. Smashing home from close range, the visitors got level and the game was thrown wide open. 
 
With chances now coming at both ends, it was City keeper Tom Franks earning his match fee. Alongside the Norwich defence, the home team remained firm and with a superb break away goal from Jack Luther, City took the lead to make it 2 – 1. 
 
As the minutes ticked down, Norwich saw the game out. There were some tense moments at the death with a couple of short corners on the final whistle, but Norwich held on and gained another three points. 
 
Today’s result means it is five wins in a row for the 3s. A fine run of form just at the right time to help City stay in this league. 
 
FT 2:1 
Player of the match was Tom Franks