Results

MENS 3RD XI - 09/10/2021 VS EAST COAST 1 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 09/10/2021 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 09/10/2021 
HEADLINE: Lively draw in Costa del Taverham 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 4 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT: Norwich City 3s 0-0 East Coast 1s 
 
REPORT: Confidence was high for Norwich, with some impressive previous results and an unbeaten run which the team wasn’t ready to give up just yet. Starting with our usual strong squad, the 3s demonstrated some quickfire pace which forced the East Coast keeper into some solid saves to keep the score goalless. The game quickly developed into an end to end barrage of shots and attacking moves which forced Norwich’s own goalkeeper Tom Franks to read the game well and pull off a string of fine saves. The Norwich defence was anchored in the middle with Clive Cricket Crichton and Freddie Royall putting in fantastic performances, repelling East Coast attacks and playing the ball well out of the back. The pattern of the game was set, it was end to end with plenty of goal mouth action and drama to keep the spectators happy. Norwich’s strength and resilience in midfield saw them begin to out play the opposition and feed the ball through to the forwards who were queuing up to have a shot on goal. But still, the East Coast keeper remained defiant. Half time was here, and both keepers would have been wondering how they still had a clean sheet. 0 – 0. 
 
Norwich started the second half with a wave of attacks and short corners. Ethan Rushton, Ross Butler and others having excellent chances to put the 3s ahead, but just couldn’t break the deadlock. It was here that East Coast began to lose their cool slightly and engage in some dangerous communications with both Norwich, and the umpires. They were now relying on the counter attack, and on the rare occasion that Coast did make it through, Tom Franks was there along with his defence to keep them at bay. Norwich’s attacking prowess became constant, in the desperate hope that a winner could be found, it was not to be. Even with short corners and numerous attacks, Norwich could not find a way through. The match finished 0 – 0, with East Coast celebrating like they had won the game. It was a good point away from home for them, and Norwich will be disappointed not to have put the game to bed. MOTM: Tom Franks.  

MENS 3RD XI - 25/09/2021 VS NORWICH CITY 4 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 25/09/2021 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 25/09/2021 
HEADLINE: Clash of the Titans leaves grandstands wanting more. 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 4 NORTH EAST 
VENUE:TRF Mainstage  
RESULT: City 3s 6 - 3 City 4s 
 
REPORT: On what can only be described as a tropical September afternoon the early season East Division 4 North East interclub bout took place on the main stage at TRF. Led by Simon ‘John Stones’ Black and supported by this week’s sponsor Tom Franks’ legal services, use code FRANKSY for 15% off at checkout. The 3s started dominantly but failed to put away any chances, much to the capacity crowd’s disappointment, the game opened up as the heat clocked 100 degrees, but just as the chants of ‘nil-nil all over it’ came from the crowd of 15 Will ‘The Dynamo’ Kidner found some space in the D and skillfully took it round the keeper to finish into an empty goal. Clinging onto a slender 1-nothing lead at half-time Mr Stones was clear in that the 3s could dominate the entire game, that if we scored too many we would have to take it easy, Loving the confidence chief. Spurred on from such an invigorating team talk the 3s began the second half by scoring 3 beautifully crafted goals, from Max Wilson twice and Silvey unfortunately the crowd had been depleted by the 1s rudely leaving for their game, so all 9 of them were in full voice. When the 3s then went 5-0 up moments later, the moment the prophecy had foretold came true. ‘play possession hockey’ ‘no more goals’ said the true club-man Simondo, and so in true city fashion of old the 3s began to crumble, conceding 3 goals and giving life to a game that was all but over, credit where it is due, the grandstand came to life, on 606 after the game one man said it was ‘the most exciting hockey I’ve seen at the club’ another ‘already got the value for my season ticket’ in the dying stages silvy grabbed another it what can only be described as the finish of the week. A well worked short corner routine almost made him look like a defender as he got on the end of a Monty ‘I hate hockey’ Platt thunderbolt. All in all deserved 6-3 winners, and Simondo and his troops can now march to Colchester in fine form for next Saturday. Or, At least he can pick a team now. 

MENS 3RD XI - 11/09/2021 VS NORTH NORFOLK 1 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 11/09/2021 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 11/09/2021 
HEADLINE: City narrowly. Miss out in entertaining friendly 
Friendly 
VENUE: 
RESULT:Norwich. city 3s 4 - 5 North Norfolk 1s 
 
REPORT:  
On a searingly hot Saturday afternoon, City 3s entertained North Norfolk 1s for the latest in a lineup of pre-season friendlies. In a battle between two heavyweights trading punches, it was North Norfolk who came out on top in a 5-4 thriller. But the real winners were the spectators who didn’t have to run around in the heat and enjoyed an entertaining game in the afternoon sun. 
 
City started the match the stronger, dominating the early chances and unlucky to score. But against the run of play, it was North Norfolk who scored first, converting from a short distance. City fought back to level, with Ethan Rushton getting the ball over the line. 
 
City were playing some great hockey, keeping the ball moving around the back as they probed away and held most of the possession. North Norfolk on the other hand were quick and dangerous on the break, making this a very two evenly balanced match. City scored next, with Freddie Paterson sliding a diagonal ball through to an unmarked Ethan Rushton who scored his second of the game. Meanwhile Tom Franks in City’s goal was called on to make an impressive reaction save to prevent a strong opposition shot However the lead was not to last long, with North Norfolk making a break and Franks’ desperate tackle at the top of the D on the last man adjudged to be late. The umpire rightly awarded a penalty which North Norfolk put away. 
 
City continued to put on the pressure, with James Hewitt bossing the midfield and some strong running from Cameron Hansell and Freddie Paterson drawing desperate fouls and winning a succession of short corners. City converted one with a beautifully taken short corner where a sharp 1-2 between Matthew Brine and Boycie ended with Brine scoring with a sharply struck shot. The first half drama was not over and North Norfolk scored once more, although City claimed there had been a foot involved. 
 
City only had one sub, and several of the North Norfolk opposition were on their second game of the day. So it was with much relief when the half time whistle went and the players had time to draw breath and take on water. 3-3 and all to play for. 
 
With players tiring, the second half was never going to be such good quality. However, it remained end to end fare, with much space opening up. North Norfolk continued to look good on the break, putting pressure on the City team. They were to score twice in the half, with Cameron Hansell scoring for City. City continued to fight to the end but North Norfolk held on to be the narrow winners in this high scoring game. 
 
Overall this was a very useful practice match for City with everyone putting in a good shift, and some very good hockey, particularly in the first half. Cameron Hansell and Ethan Rushton both got man of the match votes. However, the winner was Freddie Paterson, who playing in an unfamiliar position for him of right half back, held his position well and caused the opposition all sorts of trouble when he ran at them with the ball. 

MENS 3RD XI - 04/09/2021 VS BURY ST EDMUNDS 3 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 3rd XI 
DATE: 04/09/2021 
FIXTURE: Mens 3rd XI VS 04/09/2021 
HEADLINE: Shooting practice required 
LEAGUE: Friendly  
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT: Norwich City 3s 2 - 0 Bury 3s 
 
REPORT: 
This entertaining pre season friendly provided an opportunity to give pitch time to a number of players that are now off to university and for others to put forward their case for third team selection. 
 
The game was played in excellent spirit fuelled by a home favourite “Mickey” playing for the opposition (to be fair it was his home club before he moved to City and then to the UEA where he studies). 
 
At the beginning of the match, manager for the day, Simon Black, declared he was going to count D entries to encourage the team to attack, this they did with great aplomb, but more on that later. City played very well as a team and created countless opportunities with Freddie Royall’s pace and decisiveness in defence enabling the midfield and forwards freedom and confidence to express themselves.. Young Tom Ling supported by the even younger Alex Tomkinson and Sam Hancock provided a constant source of space and potential for the attacking 5, most notably Monty Platt, Max McEwan, Ethan Rushton, Max Wilson and Freddie Paterson to harass the Burry defence and midfield. 
 
Somehow the score at half time was 0-0 despite City having 27 (yes twenty seven) entries into their opponent’s D. hmm!!! 
 
The second half saw Rob McCall and Andrew Bell, come into the ascendency and fortunately with goals room Monty Platt and Max McEwan City deservedly won but only two goals from a total of 59 D entries is nowhere near good enough and provides an easy focus for the week’s training! 
 
There really were some excellent performances, with Monty Platt’s maturity shining through in attacking midfield, Sam Hancock producing a debut to be proud of at half back, Seb Kimber making some fine saves and keeping a clean sheet, and Max’s McEwan and Wilson demonstrating their potential. However, the player that really caught the eye (apart form Young Tom Ling) was Freddie Royall who dovetailed very well will Adam Sayer at the heart of defence. This led to Freddie being named player of the match.