Results

WOMENS 1ST XI - 14/09/2019 VS NORWICH DRAGONS 1 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 1st XI 
DATE: 14/09/2019 
FIXTURE: Womens 1st XI VS 14/09/2019 
HEADLINE: Routine Win 
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION 
VENUE: Taverham - H20 
RESULT: 3-0 Win 
 
REPORT: 
In City's final pre-season game they recorded a comfortable home win over Norwich Dragons 1st XI as they won 3-0 thanks to 2 goals from Olivia Williams and a third from Suzy Edwards. Player of the match was awarded to Lucy Tilbrook.  

WOMENS 2ND XI - 14/09/2019 VS CAMBRIDGE CITY 4 (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens 2nd XI 
DATE: 14/09/2019 
FIXTURE: Womens 2nd XI VS 14/09/2019 
HEADLINE: Teamwork Makes the Dream Work 
With major unavailability across the women’s teams, the intrepid City Women’s 2’s ventured off to face Cambridge 4’s away with just 10 players. 
 
Upon arrival, we gathered in the bar to do the team stuff, because why not?! It came as no surprise that there weren't any subs, and also that everyone who made the journey was in the starting line-up, however there were a couple of players in unfamiliar positions. 
 
We took to the pitch in the warmth of the midday Cambridge sun to play 4 quarters which would help to give us a breather and were immediately under pressure from the Cambridge forwards who were gunning for glory. Fortunately for us, we had a rock solid defence and commanding keeper in Sophie Turner who had a shield up around her goal and Cambridge barely got a shot off. After absorbing the pressure, City found themselves with some possession, lead by Hannah Jarvis in the CM role, attacking the Cambridge D more frequently ably supported by Rosie Humphrey & Ellie Pitcher at inside forward and Milly Brown & Emma Hewitt as the two forwards. A few PCs were awarded and Ellie Pitcher was unlucky to miss the post by the smallest of margins with a couple of others not quite going to plan. 
 
Whenever Cambridge got some more possession and started to attack, POM Frankie Birkenhead was there with her magnetic stick to thwart any opportunities. No matter where they decided to attack her, she had them covered and mopped up everything within playing distance before releasing the ball to fellow defenders Karren Dagless, Leigh-Ann Worrall and Megan Conway to switch around the back or even drive forward on a mazy run to set up an attack. City’s goal came from a PC on the stroke of ¾ time with great follow-up play from Emma Hewitt who crashed the ball through the GK’s legs to make it 0-1. 
 
City took to the final quarter knowing they had all played out of their skins and to play as if it was 0-0. We were able to try out some different presses and tactics to try to keep Cambridge out. With 10 tired bodies and just three minutes left, somehow they managed to get a reverse stick shot off which took Longy’s stick with it and without seeing the ball went until it whizzed past Leigh-Ann’s nose and an un-sighted Sophie, the ball nestled into the back of the net for their equalising goal. We were able to see out the final few minutes to come away with a 1-1 draw.  
 
This was a great team effort and I’m proud of everyone who made the journey and left everything on that pitch. 
 
As a bonus, some of us got to meet and have a brief chat to Helen Richardson-Walsh who seemed to have a vague recollection of a time when the NCHC L1's travelled to play Leicester in a cup match back in 2005 in the game of our lives. Three of that Leicester team were gold medallists in Rio. 
 
 

WOMENS 3RD XI - 14/09/2019 VS NORWICH DRAGONS 3 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 3rd XI 
DATE: 14/09/2019 
FIXTURE: Womens 3rd XI VS 14/09/2019 
HEADLINE: Club spirit wins out 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK PREMIER DIVISION 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: TRF 
RESULT: Won 2-1 
 
REPORT: 
 
With availability issues across the club, the Womens 3s arrived at the clubhouse for their final preseason friendly with only 10 players, but after a quick ask around amongst our other teams who had already played we started the game with the full 11 plus 3 super subs! 
 
City worked hard in the heat against visitors, Dragons 3s, and were able to put together some lovely passing, making full use of the width of the pitch. Dragons opened the scoring but city fought back hard and soon equalized.  
 
End to end play continued with both teams looking dangerous on the break. City's defense were seeing off wave after wave of attacks from the hungry dragons forwards, until eventually city found a 2nd goal to win the game. 
 
Special thanks to all those who doubled up to help us out this week. Great show of club spirit! :-) 

WOMENS 4TH XI - 14/09/2019 VS NORWICH DRAGONS 4 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 4th XI 
DATE: 14/09/2019 
FIXTURE: Womens 4th XI VS 14/09/2019 
HEADLINE: City 4's exciting high scoring game 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK PREMIER DIVISION 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: TRF 
RESULT: Won 5-4 
 
REPORT: With major unavailability across the women's teams, City Women's 4's managed to field 11 players. City worked hard in the heat against Dragons 4's and managed to put the first goal on the board thanks to POTM Niamh Campbell. Dragon's soon equalised but a lovely finishing touch from Maria Walsh put City ahead once again. Dragon's fought back hard and at half time it was all equal again. 
 
End to end play continued in the second half and with a flurry of goals from both teams, the final score ended 5-4 to City. 
 
A massive thank you to those who doubled up to help out this weekend. 

WOMENS 5TH XI - 14/09/2019 VS NORWICH DRAGONS 5 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 5th XI 
DATE: 14/09/2019 
FIXTURE: Womens 5th XI VS 14/09/2019 
HEADLINE: Well fought game in the heat! 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK LEAGUE DIVISION 1 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT:3-0 Loss 
 
REPORT: City put on a good performance and fought well against a strong Dragons team and were unlucky to loose the game by 3 goals to 0. Great defending resulted in Netty Peters as player of the match.  

WOMENS 6TH XI - 14/09/2019 VS NORWICH DRAGONS 6 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 6th XI 
DATE: 14/09/2019 
FIXTURE: Womens 6th XI VS 14/09/2019 
HEADLINE: New team. Didn't win today but lots of potential. 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK LEAGUE DIVISION 2 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: TRF 
RESULT: 0-1 
 
REPORT:Norwich had the best of the play in the first half, but unfortunately couldn’t quite find the net and break through Dragon’s defence. Play was more end to end in the second half as the hot weather began to sap City's energy. The visitors scored from a short corner and unlucky City had a goal disallowed so were unable to equalise. Lots of new faces in the team. Lots of potential. Lots to learn.  

WOMENS DEVELOPMENT XI - 14/09/2019 VS PELICANS (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens Development XI 
DATE: 14/09/2019 
FIXTURE: Womens Development XI VS 14/09/2019 
HEADLINE: Great start to the season 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: Lynnsport 
RESULT: Pelicans Devs 2 Norwich City Devs 3 
 
REPORT: City's girls turned in a super performance in their first match of the season to record an opening league win Hayling themselves back from a two goal deficit.  
 
With a new look team and new players entering the team it was an unfamiliar line up that took to the field. As the team found their feet in the first quarter Pelicans took advantage with their first two attacks to build a two goal lead. As the game progressed City began to find their feet and play with more confidence. Ccity had reduced the arrears by half time, Emily Hicks scoring the City goal. City played the third quarter with 10 players but were now the dominant team and were very unlucky not to add to their score. In the final quarter City were down to 9 when Lucy Walton suffered a blow to the hand. Pelicans sportingly loaned us a couple of players and with the return of Lucy fortunes took a tturn for the better. Lucy converted a short corner and the winner arrived when Player of the match Evie Brockington deftly converted her reverse stick. A great start to the season with lots of promise.  
 

MENS 1ST XI - 19/09/2019 VS DEREHAM 1 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 1st XI 
DATE: 19/09/2019 
FIXTURE: Mens 1st XI VS 19/09/2019 
HEADLINE: Awful game ends in defeat! 
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION A 
VENUE: Taverham - H20 
RESULT: 1-0 Loss 
 
REPORT: 
In a very scrappy game at Taverham, in which neither side created too many chances and played the greatest hockey. Dereham scored 1 goal in the first third of the game from a long ball into the D which City failed to clear. Gabriel Marchant forced the Dereham into a great save and there were half chances for both Stu Wardle and Cameron Cooke but City just couldn't quite click and fell to an unfortunate defeat. City face Chelmsford on Saturday in their first league outing.  
POTM: Jack Ingham 

MENS 1ST XI - 14/09/2019 VS LETCHWORTH 1 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 1st XI 
DATE: 14/09/2019 
FIXTURE: Mens 1st XI VS 14/09/2019 
HEADLINE: Goal Fest! 
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION A 
VENUE: Letchworth HC 
RESULT: 9-4 Win 
 
REPORT: 
City dominated the first half and were very unfortunate to only be 2 goals to the good with goals for Stu Wardle and Gabriel Marchant. The second half was when the game really opened up with 11 goals being scored. Stu Wardle bagged another 2 goals completing his hattrick, with two goals for Cameron Cooke with another 1 each for Pete Morgan, Gabriel Marchant and a debut 1st team goal for Joesph Roy totally 9 goals for the away side which could of been a lot of higher.  
The only disapointment for the away side was Letchworth scoring 4 goals something to work on for next week.  
POTM: Stu Wardle 
 

MENS 2ND XI - 14/09/2019 VS NORWICH DRAGONS 1 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 2nd XI 
DATE: 14/09/2019 
FIXTURE: Mens 2nd XI VS 14/09/2019 
HEADLINE: Another fight back doesn't get its rewards 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 2 NORTH 
VENUE: Dragons Den 
RESULT: 3-3 Draw 
 
REPORT: 
City had a slightly depleted squad with a lot of players unavailable and few having to double up for the 3s and 4s it was a very tough ask for 13 players who did turn out in the September heat to take on Dragons 1st XI who had a full 16 man squad.  
 
City started well creating early chances with the Dragons keeper forced into making a few early saves. However against the run of play Dragons took the lead. The game then became a lot more even with chances at both ends however through an excellent finish Dragons took a two goal lead. City felt unjust with the chances coming and going but were finally rewarded with an excellent run by Josh Bailey setting up Tom Hindle for a simple finish. HT 2-1 
 
Second half and after an even 5 minutes City completely dominated the half winning 7/8 short corners and creating many chances with slightly poor finishing and some great saves by the Dragons GK City were left frustrated. However Harry Gill finally equalised with an excellent low effort to beat the keeper. City continued to dominate and deservedly lead when Richard Silvester walked the ball into the goal following an excellent team move, 3-2 up. However city were slack in possession in the last 5 minutes and gave Dragons a sniff and they took their one chance and equalised as the game finished 3-3. 
 
Great game and sadly that deserved elusive win hasn't quite come yet.  
POTM: Harry Gill 

MENS 3RD XI - 14/09/2019 VS NORWICH DRAGONS 2 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 14/09/2019 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 14/09/2019 
HEADLINE: Rays of sunshine 
LEAGUE: Friendly  
VENUE: Dragons 
RESULT: Dragons 2s 3 - 2 NCHC 3s  
 
REPORT: 
City’s somewhat makeshift team consisted of a mixture of youth, experience, new players and much needed support from the 2s (cheers Ben, Boycie, Tom and Matt). Needless to say we had not played together as a team before but that didn’t seem to matter in the early forays when Ed Taylor and Monty Platt took control of the midfield and created a lot of passing moves that put the hosts on the back foot. A delicate Rees Leonard finish gave City a deserved lead. After about 15 minutes. Whilst City moved the ball well they did not have things all their own way with Jason Wolf the catalyst for most of Dragons creativity and attacking threat. Dragons equalised with a clinical finish after a rather scruffy build up after about 25 minutes. 1-1 at half time. 
 
A positional change at half time saw debutant Harsharam move from half back to the wing. City regained the lead through a control PC conversion from our drag flick specialist Rees. Sadly City’s lead was short lived as Drogons scored from 2 PCs in quick succession. The first was hotly contested as Dragons had been allowed the advantage, had played an excellent shot which brought out a fantastic save from Ben Millett only for it to be determined that no advantage had been gained....yours truly was not happy when the resultant pc flew past my ear! 
 
The second PC rubbed salt in the wound as a series of pre season umpiring blunders (last time I checked you’re not allowed to dribble with your feet 🤔) got the ball into our D. To be fair the PCs themselves were very well taken but...! Frustration then boiled over as the same umpire allowed the same footballing skills right under their nose...Boycie had had enough and received a yellow for voicing his opinion. Poor old Dan Jeffers then got a yellow for suggesting Boycie had a point. He did but we cannot criticise or abuse umpires....we have off days, they have....... 
 
With only 9 men City reverted to some long ball tactics which did themselves no justice. However, we did finish very strongly and almost cl8nched last gasp equaliser. Final play of the match, City get a PC, initial short saved, Dan Jeffers keeps the ball in the D, nails in a cross and Simon Black deflected the ball just wide. 
 
Moral of the story - keep your cool, stick to our passing game, keep supporting each other (thumbs up for Ed and Monty) and get an attacker (not Simon) on the end of deflections! 
 
Rays of of sunshine with occasional cloudy moments. 
 
Well done Monty for being man of the match. 

MENS 4TH XI - 14/09/2019 VS NORWICH DRAGONS 3 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 4th XI 
DATE: 14/09/2019 
FIXTURE: Mens 4th XI VS 14/09/2019 
HEADLINE: Hot Day brings defeat! 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Dragons Den  
RESULT: 2-1 Loss 
 
REPORT: 
In a very hot day with a bare 11 City struggled in the first half with Dragons taking a 1-0 lead with City's only really chances coming from penalty corners with Tom Ling coming closest. Dragons made it 2-0 in a more even second half City finally scored through Dragons loanee Will Kirby scoring. City had some great chances to equalise but just couldn't quite manage it as we lost out 2-1.  

MENS 5TH XI - 14/09/2019 VS NORWICH DRAGONS 4 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 5th XI 
DATE: 14/09/2019 
FIXTURE: Mens 5th XI VS 14/09/2019 
HEADLINE: A good effort! 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 4 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Dragons Den 
RESULT: 5-2 Loss 
 
REPORT: 
City had a shortage of players across the club on Saturday and the Mens 5s had a squad of 13 but with a few who had played the game before and our thanks go to those players who doubled up. City played really well and held a full fresh Dragons side to 2-2 all until the tiring team let 3 goals in the final 10 minutes and fell to a 5-2 loss. Well done to Freddie Paterson who scored in his player of the match performance.  

MENS 6TH XI - 14/09/2019 VS NORFOLK NOMADS 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 6th XI 
DATE: 14/09/2019 
FIXTURE: Mens 6th XI VS 14/09/2019 
HEADLINE: Dominat display 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 6 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Taverham - H20 
RESULT: 6-1 Win 
 
REPORT: 
In their final pre-season fixture City's Mens 6th XI put in a stellar performance to put Norfolk Nomads 2nd XI by 6 goals to 1 at Taverham. Corey Rushton put in a player of the match performance as he scored 3 with other goals coming from Ollie Millett, Ethan Rushton and John Whitlam in the 6-1 victory.  

MENS 7TH XI - 14/09/2019 VS NORWICH DRAGONS 6 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 7th XI 
DATE: 14/09/2019 
FIXTURE: Mens 7th XI VS 14/09/2019 
HEADLINE: Opening Victory 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 6 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Dragons Den 
RESULT: 6-1 Win 
 
REPORT: 
With numbers low across the club this Saturday, City were thankful to Dragons who lent a couple of players to make up our numbers.  
 
City started well and took the lead through a Tom Ling deflected strike. A storming Glenn Tobias run brought goal number two, Dave Kidner, Ed Cotton and James Dorling looked solid at the back with Harry Kidner and Angus Irving playing well on each wing. City were unlucky when Dragons snuck a goal in just before the break. HT 2-1 
 
Into the second half and City scored within a minute with Glenn Tobias stealing a goal at the far post following great work by Krishna Patel. 4 became 5 when Ling got his second goal with a clever reverse stick finish. The day was complete when young Krishna Patel who on debut fired home a low penalty corner strike for his maiden adult goal.  
 
Well played City a 6-1 win and some impressive performances for the youngsters. 

MENS DEVELOPMENT XI - 14/09/2019 VS NORWICH DRAGONS (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens Development XI 
DATE: 14/09/2019 
FIXTURE: Mens Development XI VS 14/09/2019 
HEADLINE: City batters and deep fries dragons feet 
LEAGUE: NORFOLK DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE 
LEAGUE SPONSORS: EMPRESA LIMITED 
VENUE: TRF 
RESULT: Win 3-0 
 
REPORT: 
Norwich city took on a depleted dragons’ team for our preseason warm up friendly. It was a well intentioned encounter played with integrity; respecting umpiring decisions as is absolutely right, even on occasion owning up - as sportsman in this situation ought. That is not to say that either side gave a quarter nor did the experienced dev players refrain from occasional tactical play to constrain opposition attacks judging each situation really well and on its merits, thereby maintaining a clean sheet through the snuffing out of oppo attacks before they entered the D to strike except for 2 short corners. 
Fitness was tested (!) and will have improved from the high work rates that no subs and our ambition imposed, which was entirely as intended. This week’s secret mission prize being awarded to Tom for exemplary defence against counter attacks often overturning possession through shadowing pressure something we all have to work hard on. Whilst all will have benefited from the work rate after the long summer break, the training intensity will rise over the next couple of weeks to ensure that we are well positioned for any cup encounter we may face in the area round. Players, please ensure you take responsibility for being well rested, hydrated and nutritioned to make the most of Tuesday evenings and the training opportunity it presents. 
Our movement in attack was superb creating many D penetrations. Whilst the result looked comfortable we could have converted more and we’ll go through how in more detail in training - we can’t let good oppo goalkeeping get in the way of a victory! 
Congrats to Harrison and Freddy G on their mens Devs appearances - a well grounded start that experience this year will enhance as we develop during the season’s journey. My thanks to Krishna, Sam H and Mattie for a solid performance for our midfield to build off. Sam K and Ed looked composed in our wide attacks, sharpening through quarter 2&3 to create opportunities which with our attacking midfield duo of Harry and Tom (every ready to hunt overturned ball) put immense pressure on oppo’s defence. 
Huge thanks once again to Ellis, Charl and Corey who joined the dragon 8 even though it looked real weird to do so, so as to make a proper game with appropriate challenge and well done to James whose hattrick and high work rate off the ball earned him POTM. A good team effort well done guys.  
Finally a big thanks to umpire Alex for astute and accurate decisions and to David for keeping us on our toes(!)and the game flowing so well.