Results

MENS 3RD XI - 09/11/2019 VS IPSWICH EAST SUFFOLK 3 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 09/11/2019 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 09/11/2019 
HEADLINE: Youth and experience provide entertaining spectacle  
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: 
RESULT: 
 
REPORT: 
With a much changed team and only 11 players it took Norwich a few minutes to settle and IES quickly took advantage and in no time at all City found themselves 2 goals behind. Gradually playing some fine passing hockey City gained a foothold in the match. Some well worked moves resulted in a couple of chances created which sadly City just failed to take. So it came as a slight surprise that just before half time IES converted a short corner to take a 3 goal lead into the break. 
 
The second half saw City continue to push IES back with some fine flowing hockey which eventually was rewarded when Will Riddleston converted a short corner mid way through the half. Sadly any thoughts of a comeback were quashed by a 4th goal for IES scored after another long mazy run from one of the strong midfield players.  
 
This was a very entertaining game with two contrasting styles of play. IES featured several players who would not look out of place further up the league structure while City fielded a number of younger players who all acquitted themselves very well and showed great promise, well corralled by a few senior wise heads. 
 
IES were worthy winners but City know that with a better start and a few chances taken the result could have been different. 

MENS 3RD XI - 02/11/2019 VS NORWICH DRAGONS 3 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 02/11/2019 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 02/11/2019 
HEADLINE: Derby day drama 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: TRF 
RESULT: City 3XI 2 - 1 Dragons 3XI 
 
REPORT: 
Twas another early start for Norwich City Hockey Club 3XI, the sun was beginning to emerge from the clouds glistening off the hallowed turf of TRF. The band of merry men assembled at the sand based pitch as they had done countless times before but this was not the be an une jour normale as we had the ever sought after 1:45 sand based slot. Our opponent, the heroic fearless and timeless rivals, embodied by a sea of red, the Norwich Dragons 3XI. 
 
The team had arrived nervous having to view a tight game on the pitch prior to their battle, cold and the damp only making the tension worse. The only solace being Simon ‘The Rock’ Black’s supreme leadership in commanding the warm up in view of the City faithful. The assembled to talk tactics and get in the mindset for an intense match, they arrived boys and left....men. These men completed the obligatory warm up set in stone by many a generation of City legends. The men, were now ready, they were psyched, they were hyped and after the ‘1, 2, 3, CITY’ battle cry the game was soon to commence. 
 
The game started with fluid movement and dynamic distribution of the ball, that s allowed Jonathan ‘Da Silva’ Baxter, Rio ‘The Skilful’ Iaccarino and Ben ‘The Dynamic’ Chapman to combine in a scintillating move culminating in a strike which hit the helpless, stumbling Dragons defender on the line. The result a neatly flick. The chosen taker, Sam ‘The Invincible’ Hyatt stood a metre from the ball, took a deep breath, flicked the ball calmly into the bottom left taking a deflection off the keeper into the corner. This was influential for the men’s morale and we were on top for the remainder of the half creating a number of chances and could’ve easily scored more. With chances for the opposition few and far between. However, the score at half time 1-0. 
 
A rousing half time speech from figurehead Black with insightful inputs from Jason ‘Head Coach’ Hyatt (atoning for the card he received prior to the break). 
 
City kept the pressure on at the start of the half. However, the mighty Dragons started to edge into the game with Will ‘The Wall’ Riddleston making some important defensive manoeuvres at the back combining well with Black to prevent any chances But this did not stop the visitors scoring following a counterattack. With the Dragons looking to roar the men of City sharpened their resolve. They pushed forward with sheer and utter determination against a formidable, tested defence, despite this we kept our heads, through the vision and composure of Adam ‘Steven Gerrard’ Sayer and played hockey how we play it best, we passed quickly we dribbled skilfully, creating more and more opportunities, giving away very few turnovers in our own half. The constant pressure resulted in a free hit just outside the hitherto fortress f Dragons’ D. The now attacking Riddleston charging forward looking in search by of a winner combining with Will ‘The Dynamo’ Kidner, a useful deadline day summer signing, to produce a superb deflection flying like a tracer beyond the diving keeper into the bottom left corner. City played the rest of the match out as best we could not conceding, despite some ferocious attacks the men stood firm with the dedicated work rates from all, playing good impressive hockey coming out of defence. We cam off the pitch knowing we had done the badge proud, a phenomenal performance from a youthful side, led heroically by Black.  
 
Another day passes, another game won, more importantly against the old foe on what can only be described as derby day drama. The men took it in their stride and started to look forward to their next opponents, the mighty IES. 
 
After his heroics of stickmanship and penmanship Will Kidner was renamed the Bard of Taverham. 

MENS 3RD XI - 26/10/2019 VS NEWMARKET 1 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 26/10/2019 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 26/10/2019 
HEADLINE: Brilliant youth 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE:Newmarket  
RESULT:3-3 
 
REPORT: 
The match started with top of the league Newmarket dominating the field and deservedly taking an early lead from a short corner. They doubled their lead mid-way into the first half but the game was becoming more of an even contest. Toward the end of the first half two 'smash and grab' goals saw us draw level having taken advantage of two break-away plays. Henry Baker with our first, a fine reverse stick finish and Ben Chapman with the second after a brilliant run and unselfish play by Rafe Lochore to set him up. 
 
Following a few inspirational words from Simon at half-time and with the weather worsening the second half began in much the same fashion as the first with Newmarket adding to their score early on from an impressive passing move. Some wonderful keeping from Luke Elwes kept us in contention and some sharp thinking and a smart individual run from Rio Iaccarino saw us draw level once again.  
 
Newmarket kept up the pressure but some solid defending from Simon Black and Cameron Husband along with more great saves from Luke frustrated the Newmarket men. The Dad/Son Hyatt (Jason and Sam) combination along with worthy performances from some young guns, namely Archie ? and Toby Pallister and the ever present Will Riddleston made for a busy mid-field - great play from all involved. 
 
A draw was definitely a fair result, credit to everyone who played - more of the same next week from Norwich 3s we hope. 

MENS 3RD XI - 19/10/2019 VS PELICANS 2 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 19/10/2019 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 19/10/2019 
HEADLINE: To infinity and beyod 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Lynnsport 
RESULT: NCHC 0 - 10 Pelicans 
 
REPORT: 
The true test of any team is how they deal with and what they do next when they face adversity. Today’s performance deserves a few thank yous: 
 
Thank you to Jonnie Pyatt for volunteering to be our keeper, I know that was not what he was hoping for when I welcomed his availability with open arms at the end of Tuesday’s training. Without him and some of his heroic saves the score would have been even worse. He seems to think he can hang up the pads now....watch this space! 
 
Thank you to Jason Hyatt for transporting 3 players for our match and two for the match that followed and for running the bench and staying positive throughout. 
 
Thank you to the calm senior heads of Rees Leonard and Adam Sayer who between them created our attacking opportunities and remained positive in the heart of midfield. 
 
Thank you to the team for remaining pretty positive and competing right to the end, the never give up effort was something you should be proud of. 
 
As to the game, Pelis were stronger than City in most departments capitalising on any lose balls and being decisive in midfield and attack. They scored 4 in the first half (real sucker punch at the end of the half) and 6 in the second. But for some great covering, in particular by Sam Hyatt and Henry Baker the score could have been a lot worse. It is great to see such young players play with maturity and responsibility beyond their years. 
 
City did have chances with Rees Leonard coming close on several occasions as did Rio Iaccarino and Toby Pallister but sadly to no avail. 
 
We move on to next week with a positive mindset and look forward to what we can influence rather than dwell on the past which is already history. We lose together, we win together, we learn together. 
 

MENS 3RD XI - 12/10/2019 VS NORTH NORFOLK 1 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 12/10/2019 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 12/10/2019 
HEADLINE: Smash and grab 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: TRF 
RESULT: Norwich City 3s 1 - 2 North Norfolk 
 
REPORT: 
Men's threes failed to capitalise on their domination and countless short corners with North Norfolk doing an effective smash and grab job with virtually two shots resulting in two goals. 
 
In the first half the team were playing some very fluent hockey moving the ball quickly and effectively. This play resulted in getting in the D often and creating high amounts of chances. The team also managed to win lots of short corners and one of these ended in a George Bowman deflected goal from the p spot after a great ball in from the right slip. The team went in 1-0 at half time.  
 
Second half was a little different with the fluent play from the first half not quite presenting itself. The team still managed to create a number of decent chances and also won yet more short corners but the ball didnt seem to want to go in the back of the net with the North Norfolk keeper making a number of high quality saves. Norfolk Norfolk managed to grab two break away goals but offered very little apart from this leading to the team being extremely disappointed with the defeat but there were certainly a number of positives to take.  
 

MENS 3RD XI - 05/10/2019 VS IPSWICH EAST SUFFOLK 2 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 05/10/2019 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 05/10/2019 
HEADLINE: Thank you for clubbing together 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Ipswich School 
RESULT: 1-6 
 
REPORT: 
It was a slightly mixed and depleted city team that took the trip to Ipswich this weekend with two, yes two, keepers to face IES. City started strong with good ball retention and movement. However a series of uncharacteristic errors led to two opportunistic goals from a clinical IES side. Having lost Will Riddleston to injury/Ipswich foul play we then had a fraught rest of the half and managed to prevent any more goals. 
The second half saw first half goalkeeper Luke lose the pads and don some borrowed shin pads for a spirited run in the front line , credit where credit’s due he did cause a nuisance of himself. Two more clinical IES goals saw their lead stretch until a late consolation dragflick from Rees Leonard prompted a resurgence from city. However this was soon put to bed as IES soon scored two more. A courageous performance by city given the circumstances and we’ll live to fight another day. 
Final score: 1-6 
Man of the match: Alex Tomkinson 
 

MENS 3RD XI - 28/09/2019 VS NORWICH DRAGONS 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 28/09/2019 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 28/09/2019 
HEADLINE: A win! 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE:TRF 
RESULT: City 3 - 2 Dragons  
 
REPORT: 
This was a very competitive and pretty even game. City started pretty well but in the early stages they seemed to run out of ideas once the ball got near the atracking D. Fortunately this somewhat frustrating period was short lived and once we did settle into some rhythm we looked good with man of the match Ben Chapman the key to our innovation.  
 
We scored when debutant Robert McCall tapped in at the far post following an excellent move from right to left and back again tormented the visitors defense  
 
Our lead was short lived when James Cross was first to react to a lose ball and rifled it into the roof of the net. Undeterred City then had their best passage of play in the first half with Rio Iaccarino, Ben Chapman and Boycie regularly linking well. A Boycie corner strike restored our lead. 2-1 at half time.  
 
The second half was very similar with City’s half backs Ed Taylor and Dan Jeffers becoming much more involved. Yes City’s defense had to make a number of tackles and last ditched interceptions but in the main they were well organised and disciplined.  
 
With Chappers creating mayhem for City on the attacking half it was against the run of play when a neat penalty corner routine levelled the score. City responded in fine style when Boycie scored his second to make it 3-2. Moments later the same player got a congratulatory green card from the unpire (cheers Frosty) which led to a tactical master stroke with Rees dropping back to defence and launching aerials to pen Dtagons back in their own half. Great finger tip save by Ben to close out the victory....did I mention....we won! 
 
A good hard fought game played with the right amount of competitive spirit. If Chappers and Rio can pull a “sickie” from school each week I reckon we can find a nice hockey home for them. Many thanks to the whole team and to Alexfir climbing out of his sick bed to support  

MENS 3RD XI - 21/09/2019 VS UEA 2 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 21/09/2019 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 21/09/2019 
HEADLINE: Honours even 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: UEA 
RESULT: UEA 2s 1 - 1 NCHC 3s 
 
REPORT: 
City started well with Rio Iaccarino, Dan Jeffers and Alex Tomkinson creating all sorts of problems for the students’ defence ably supported by some intelligent link up play from the inners, Ed Taylor and Monty Platt. Whilst the early attacking threat came mostly from City, their defence (Adam Sayer, Will Riddleston, Lloyd Sayer, Henry Baker and Simon Black) were organised in philharmonic-esque style by Ben Nkrumah in goal.  
 
City deservedly took the lead when Alex Tomkinson converted a well worked penalty corner. With regular substitutions the order of the day it was particularly pleasing to see Harsharan Singh, and Toby Pallister linking with the midfield field controlled by Mark Fletcher. City continued to let the ball do the work but were thwarted by some excellent defending and to some extent less than clinical decision making. Half time 1-0 to the good guys. 
 
Sadly a recurrence of a knee injury for Toby meant were were down to 2 substitutes (I know we should think ourselves lucky to have subs!) just when we most needed fresh legs, and with the youth of the opposition being slightly older than our youth we started to lose shape and opted for glory balls where simpler options were available (and yes I was guilty of one particular glory ball....moral of the story...just DON’T.) 
 
Despite the growing ascendency of the home side, City’s defence stood firm with Henry Baker consistently turning defence into attack down the right flank. Yes, the UEA probably did deserve their equaliser which finally came from a penalty corner (of which they’d had many) but we never stopped trying, and we created several genuine opportunities in the dying minutes. 
 
Well done to Henry for his man of the match performance. There were lots of positives, with that old adage, let the ball do the work being a lesson learned as legs tired. Well done all...the 3s have a point on the board. 
 
 

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 3RD XI - 07/09/2019 VS NORTH NORFOLK 1 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 07/09/2019 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 07/09/2019 
HEADLINE: A game of two halves... 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Taverham - H20 
RESULT: 3-2 Loss 
 
REPORT: 
With City having a massive squad and lot of players having their first game of the season City started a little frazzled and disjointed and found themselves 3-0 down at half time. Into the second half City really started to gel and played some great hockey. A Rees Leonard PC and clever finish from Chris Perry brought City close to what would of been a well earned draw. FT 2-3 
POTM: Ed Taylor