Results

WOMENS 1ST XI - 02/04/2023 VS LETCHWORTH 1 (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens 1st XI 
DATE: 02/04/2023 
FIXTURE: Womens 1st XI VS 02/04/2023 
HEADLINE: 6 point Weekender  
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION 
VENUE: Letchworth Hockey Club  
RESULT: 2-0  
 
REPORT: 
City womens 1s travelled to Letchworth for the final game of the 2022/2023 season. Still on a high from Saturdays great team performance, City were determined for a 6 point double header.  
Starting with a attacking formation from the first whistle saw city score within the first couple of minutes. Hanna Hall drove the ball around the base line with Nikki Ralph netting the inside pass.  
1-0, grins contagiously circuiting the city team and thoughts of this how many could we get?!  
Attack, after attack, with great built up play from the half backs of Harriet Preston and Fongy, Flic Williams and Lucy Walton completely controlling the middle ground with superb tackles and absolute fireballs of passes to the forward line of Oli Williams, Krystal Bishop, Rosie Ringer and Sophie Bendon, one of which saw Krystal Bishop lop the Keeper 2-0 within the next few minutes.  
City continued to push forward, maybe a little too ambitiously and a little too impatiently at times, but it proved hard to find space for any movement or shots in a very jam packed Letchworth area. A applaudable performance from Letchworths keeper even managed to keep Micayal Toothills shots clear from the back board, a very brave lady indeed. At the opposite end of the pitch George Barrett saw no sight or sound of the match ball for the entire game, but was with the team as usual with great communication and encouragement throughout.  
City maintained 99% of the possession for the second half, numerous opportunities for lots of goals but unfortunately no more conversions. 
A journey worth making for a final 6 point weekend, taking us to a final position of 4th in the league.  
 
More in the tank for next season ?  
Most definitely YES, let’s set our sights and ambitions high and follow on in the men’s fantastic example for next season. Well done lads, a true inspiration to everyone involved at the  

WOMENS 1ST XI - 05/03/2023 VS LETCHWORTH 1 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 1st XI 
DATE: 05/03/2023 
FIXTURE: Womens 1st XI VS 05/03/2023 
HEADLINE: City Back to Winning Ways 
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION 
VENUE: TRF 
RESULT: 3-0 
 
REPORT:  
 
After sharing the spoils with St Albans on Saturday, City wanted to get back to winning ways and be mathematically safe from relegation if they beat Letchworth.  
City started well, pressuring the Letchworth defence and having all the possession but couldn’t find an opener. City were unlucky not to have been awarded a flick after some great work by Micayla Tootill but her reverse shot was blocked by an unseen foot on the line. The deadlock was as finally broken when Ellie Brine tackled a letchworth defender on the top of the D and her following reverse pass was met by Stacey Lee for a nice deflection at the near post.  
City continued to pressure the Letchworth defence, and in similar fashion, a sliding pass by Emily Francis across the goal mouth found Lee at the far post for another deflection. Half-Time 2-0.  
Within seconds of the restart, City won possession of the ball and a lovely one-two between Tootill and Krystal Bishop, led to Tootill finally getting her goal with a slap shot passing the onrushing goalie. City continued to press for more goals but Letchworth defended well. Full time 3-0. Overall a solid performance by City, who hope to continue this form into next weeks game against Sudbury. POM was awarded to Libby Thorne for her solid defending and drives going forward despite still recovering from a recent concussion.  

WOMENS 1ST XI - 11/02/2023 VS CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY 1 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 1st XI 
DATE: 11/02/2023 
FIXTURE: Womens 1st XI VS 11/02/2023 
HEADLINE: Unlucky Draw 
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION 
VENUE: TRF 
RESULT: 2-2 
 
REPORT: 
NC W1s welcomed unbeaten Cambridge University W1s to sunny TRF, who narrowly beat NC in the reverse fixture. 
 
Due to identical formations, the first 15 minutes was keenly contested with our midfield of Ellie Brine, Alice Gill, Ella Gill, Felicity Williams & Lucy Tilbrook holding firm & neutralising any forward play into our 23m. 
 
Great passing play found NC winning the first & our only short corner of the match. A Felicity Williams trade mark slider caused havoc in the D & good advantage play enabled Krystal Bishop to score from an acute angle. 1-0. 
 
The university team restarted strong, with the defensive trio of Hannah Nunn, Harriet Preston & PF Chung repelling wave after wave of attack, unfortunately a goal mouth scramble found the back of the net after Georgina Barratt made numerous blocks. 1-1 & half time. 
 
After a rousing half time team-talk by coach Matthew Brine, NC started to find each other & bringing into play our wide midfield of Hanna Hall & Nicola Ralph. A quickly taken free hit by Felicity Williams was deftly deflected into the goal by Emily Francis for NC to retake the lead. 2-1. 
 
The opposition GK had a great game thwarting Olivia Williams & Krystal Bishop. 
A loose defensive pass earned a scrambling birthday girl Hannah Nunn a yellow card. However, NC help firm & kept out the resulting short corner. 
 
Cambridge University got a short corner in the final minute & earned a very lucky draw. 2-2. 
 
POM went to Ella Gill for her great work rate, linking up play & communication across the lines. 
Match report writing honours went to PF Chung for a comical face plant. 
 

WOMENS 1ST XI - 04/02/2023 VS CAMBRIDGE CITY 2 (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens 1st XI 
DATE: 04/02/2023 
FIXTURE: Womens 1st XI VS 04/02/2023 
HEADLINE: The second half was a draw, so I am taking that as a win 
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION 
VENUE: Wilberforce Road  
RESULT: 5-1 
 
REPORT: 
 
City travelled to Cambridge City 2s for a late, late pushback with a number of different faces in the line-up. Sophie Bendon, Rosie, Hannah Jarvis and Lauren Lawrie were able to step up and help out. Despite beating Cambridge City 2s convincingly at home, there were nerves at how the team would gel together during the game. A few tunes, a party game and a kick-about helped to utilise the nervous energy during the warm-up and Norwich were raring to go.  
 
Cambridge City 2s came out strong, with some pacing passing putting Norwich on the back foot and they scored the first goal promptly. Not allowing their heads to drop, City worked hard to keep their structure and remain calm in possession.  
Cambridge were awarded an early short corner which was valiantly defended by Fongy, who put her knee cap on the line and had to sit out for the next 10 minutes bathing it in ice.  
 
Communication was going to be key with a number of new faces slotting into the line up. Hannah Nunn, Harriet Preston and Hannah Jarvis stepped up to command a strong defensive set-up, with Georgina Barratt taking charge to smother any Cambridge attack with confidence. Despite this, Cambridge managed to wriggle free and slot the ball home a further three times in the first half. 
With a rousing call from Harriet Preston that winning a game from 4-0 down was doable, Norwich attacked the second half with renewed determination and a slight change in structure. Within minutes, a surge into the Cambridge circle led to a strike from Emily Francis that confidently beat the Cambridge keeper.  
Norwich were searching for their second with Nicola Ralph playing a well-timed pass down the channel into the path of Sophie Bendon, who struck with her lethal reverse across the front of goal, another near miss. 
 
Ellie Brine and Rosie worked hard to put pressure on Cambridge's midfield, retrieving the ball and linking with City's lively forward line of Stacey Lee, Sophie Bendon and Krystal Bishop. City's reward was a succession of short corners that Norwich were unlucky not to capitalise on, with one glancing the far post just out of reach of an advancing Lauren Lawrie.  
 
Despite the sun setting on a 5-1 defeat, the team remained supportive and an enjoyable game was had by all. 1-1 in the second half! 

WOMENS 1ST XI - 28/01/2023 VS UPMINSTER 1 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 1st XI 
DATE: 28/01/2023 
FIXTURE: Womens 1st XI VS 28/01/2023 
HEADLINE: CITY BREAK THE CURSE 
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION 
VENUE: TRF 
RESULT: 3-0 
 
REPORT: 
It was a bleak Saturday afternoon and the girls were feeling nervous putting on their new kit (which they had not managed to win in yet) was today going to be the day the curse was broken? 
 
Well from a strong start from both sides the play was equal with a couple of counter attacks from Upminster and City’s defence sitting strong with Michaela and Fongy picking up everything coming their way , Norwich finally broke through. Some excellent distribution from the screens led to the first short corner of the game where Felicity Williams slid the ball past the keeper. 1- nill City.  
 
After a positive half time team talk we were heading into the second half raring to go again. Upminster came out strong and were making some excellent through balls. However the team worked hard to stop anything that may threaten them in their defensive third. 
 
City looked relaxed and calm on the ball and were proving to work together well. An interception from Lucy Tilbrook turned over an Upminster 16 and forwards Olivia Williams and Stacey Lee worked the ball through the defenders to Ellie Brine, rounding the keeper and slotting it in. 2-0. 
 
Another opposition 16 turned over by Ella Gill, saw a quick pass to Stacey with a one touch to Olivia in the D for a one touch slide into the goal to make it 3-0. Overall a superb team performance, no injuries no cards and a happy Pies 😃 

WOMENS 1ST XI - 03/12/2022 VS CITY OF PETERBOROUGH 1 (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens 1st XI 
DATE: 03/12/2022 
FIXTURE: Womens 1st XI VS 03/12/2022 
HEADLINE: Norwich City 1s vs City of Peterborough 1s 
 
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION 
VENUE: BRETTON GATE 
RESULT: 0-1 
 
REPORT: 
City started the game strong with lots of possession, good movement and working the ball in triangles around the Peterborough players. Unfortunately despite being in control of the game City couldn’t quite make the most of their opportunities. Peterborough pressed well resulting in some strong attacks causing keeper George to pull out some impressive saves to keep the scoreline even at half-time.  
City came out for the second half ready to take the game to Peterborough. Unfortunately City were unable to make the final ball count. With 10 minutes to go City were unfortunate to have a short corner awarded against them and although the first phase was managed well Peterborough were able to pounce and score a scrappy second phase goal.  
City retaliated and threw the kitchen sink at Peterborough, resulting in a couple of short corners. Unfortunately City were unable to capitalise on these opportunities before the full time whistle. Final score 1-0 to Peterborough. 

WOMENS 1ST XI - 27/11/2022 VS BURY ST EDMUNDS 1 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 1st XI 
DATE: 27/11/2022 
FIXTURE: Womens 1st XI VS 27/11/2022 
HEADLINE: Bury buried by free scoring City 
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION 
VENUE: TRF 
RESULT: 8-0 W 
 
REPORT: 
 
After sharing the spoils with Old Loughts last week, City wanted to get back to winning ways against Bury. City were undefeated at home, scoring 23 and only conceding 3 in just 5 home games this season. City started strongly, using their possession to advance to Burys D. City had a flurry of short corners but Bury stood strong. Finally the deadlock was broken with a short corner executed by Flic Williams. The initial deflection was blocked, however, Fongy was on hand to slap in the loose ball. 1-0. Bury tried to instantly respond but City’s defence stood strong. City were unfazed and continued with their bread and butter; stretching the play from the back, using the wings to our advantage, and pressurising the bury defence from the front. This led to our second goal, a deep pass by Harriet Preston found Hannah Hall, who deflected a loopy ball into the path of Olivia Williams. With her first touch, Williams buried the ball into the bottom corner. 2-0. City were unlucky not to go into halftime with a bigger lead. HT: 2-0.  
 
City continued how they finished the first half; solid at the back, expansive in midfield, accompanied with an aggressive forward line. A City short corner resulted in a trademark Flic slider. The shot deflected onto the post, yet Emily Francis was perfectly positioned for a tap in. 3-0. Shortly after, City were awarded with another short corner. With her first strike saved, the rebound returned perfectly to Flic, who’s reverse stick shot looped over the goalie and into the top corner. 4-0. This gave City more momentum, and their high press was rewarded when a pass back to the Bury centre back was read by Krystal Bishop. Bishop tackled the Bury player before rounding the goalie and reversing it into the goal. 5-0. Shortly after, City scored from another short corner with Hall deflecting Flic’s pass into the bottom corner. 6-0. Bishop intercepted another Bury hit out, drawing the keeper out before finding Olivia and slapping it into an open goal. 7-0. Within the final minutes, another interception by Bishop, resulted to a two-on-one situation. Bishop passed to Olivia, who returned the pass into the D. Bishop got to the ball before the on rushing keeper and dribbled the ball into an empty goal. Final score 8-0. A solid performance by the whole team which they hope to replicate next week in the highly anticipated local derby with Harleston Magpies. Player of the match: Krystal Bishop 

WOMENS 1ST XI - 05/11/2022 VS SUDBURY 1 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 1st XI 
DATE: 05/11/2022 
FIXTURE: Womens 1st XI VS 05/11/2022 
HEADLINE: #Allthehashtags  
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION 
VENUE: Taverham  
RESULT: Norwich City 5 - Sudbury 1 
 
Top of the league Norwich City womens welcomed bottom of the league Sudbury for their 7th fixture of the 22/23 season.  
 
City got off to a dream start with Krystal Bishop continuing her goal running streak, with a perfectly timed through ball from Captain Ellie Brine for Bishop to slot the ball expertly around the keeper and Into the back of the net within the first few minutes of the match.  
City worked the ball patiently around the pitch, with Harriet Preston and Fongy making impressive supportive runs down the flanks, Felicity Williams, Ella Gill & Micayla Tootill controlled the middle of the pitch in style, creating endless opportunities for city, as per usual. 
Olivia Williams step count must have been off the scale, continuously making leads and creating space for others to attack the D. A second goal followed very soon after, with once again, on form Bishop, finding herself in prime position to smash the ball into the back of net. 
Sudbury worked hard to break through Cities press and a rare break resulted in an unfortunate goal from a short corner. 
2-1 to City at half time.  
An Inspiring team talk at half time was called for, lift the spirit and play our game, resulted in city working much harder in the second half.  
Alice Gill, Lucy Tilbrook, Emily Francis and Ellie Brine worked tirelessly together and intelligently in the midfield, resulting in numerous short corners being awarded.  
Felicity Williams fired her trademark disguised pass across the goal for Hanna Hall to deflect into the net 3-1, another deflection from Hall at a short gave city the lead they deserved and needed 4-1.  
Alice Gill completed the scoring with another, final score 5-1.  
A wonderfully controlled match by the umpires, and a nice 3 points for birthday boy Pies.  
 
 
 
 
 
 

WOMENS 1ST XI - 29/10/2022 VS ST ALBANS 2 (A) 
 
TEAM: Womens 1st XI 
DATE: 29/10/2022 
FIXTURE: Womens 1st XI VS 29/10/2022 
HEADLINE: Sunny St Albans 
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION 
VENUE:St Albans 
RESULT:5-2 
 
REPORT: 
After a long journey to St Albans and a positive week of training we were ready to play the brand of hockey we wanted to play. St Albans were quick from the start and we were slowly getting into our stride. They had a couple of attacks that were swiftly met by Nunn, Preston and Fongy. After some end to end stuff Flic slid a beautiful ball to Oli to make it 1-0. A quick play from St Albans saw them break our defence giving Georgina a 2 on 1 which resulted in a goal. 1-1. Final play of the first half ended in a short corner where another slider from Flic found Alice who came in like a steam train sliding on her knees, 2-1.  
Second half we were playing some brilliant hockey, from a long corner Ella drove it in and got shot on target, 3-1. Continuing with the goal scoring quickly came another with Harriet giving a super ball down the line which found Krystal who smashed the ball from the top of the D to make it 4-1. One of the highlights was Fongy who skilled about 4 players and got herself into a goal scoring opportunity but as she went to hit the hall took a tumble. From a short corner St Albans slipped the ball right and found the middle of Georgina’s legs to make it 4-2. A ball from debuted Nicki found Ellie who selflessly passed to Krystal to get the final goal of the game. #smileandwave 
 

WOMENS 1ST XI - 15/10/2022 VS HAVERING 1 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 1st XI 
DATE: 15/10/2022 
FIXTURE: Womens 1st XI VS 15/10/2022 
HEADLINE: BOUNCE BACK WEEK 
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION 
VENUE: TRF 
RESULT: 5-1 
 
REPORT: 
 
City were ready and raring to go for their game against Havering ready to bounce back from their defeat to Cambridge the week prior. This intensity was shown from the off with some early forays into Haverings 23.  
 
A quick break from Havering meant they took the lead against the run of play, but it wasn’t to be long before city levelled up the game. The first goal coming courtesy of Krystal Bishop who slotted home after Emily Francis slipped it under the diving keeper.  
 
The flood gates opened from here and Sophie Sidgwick was next on the scoresheet beating a couple of defenders and calmly rounding the keeper too. A great team move lead to the third goal with Micayla Tootill setting up Bishop again, who beat defenders and slid the ball past the keeper for Olivia Williams to finish into the bottom corner.  
 
After half time it was more of the same, Havering growing more and more frustrated and any attempt they had being thwarted by a solid defensive unit. Great distribution through the middle of the pitch lead to Sophie Sidgwick found the backboard for a second time, with Ellie Brine completing the 5-1 win with a well taken short corner.  
 
An all round team performance. 

WOMENS 1ST XI - 01/10/2022 VS CAMBRIDGE CITY 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 1st XI 
DATE: 01/10/2022 
FIXTURE: Womens 1st XI VS 01/10/2022 
HEADLINE: Second win of the season 
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION 
VENUE: 
RESULT: 
 
REPORT: 
Following our first win of the season, we were keen to get another win under our belts. 
 
After the push back went off our back line which wasn’t the ideal start we were after, we quickly got it together and a couple of minutes later scored our first goal through Krystal who had a 1 on 1 and she went around the keeper and slotted our first goal in. We were playing Brilliant passing hockey which were creating lots of opportunities and unfortunate not to get another goal. Cambridge caught us on a break and won a couple of short corners and one managed to get through keeper Georgina’s legs.  
 
Keeping Spirts high we carried on playing the hockey we want to play and our press was working brilliantly leaving Cambridges’ back line with very few options. Drawing closer to half time we kept the pressure up and Cambridge had a 16 and we turned the ball over in the 23 and through a lovely cross ball from Olivia Williams who found Krystal Bishop who touched the ball in the goal.  
 
After a half time talk from Coach Pies and Thomas we were eager to continue playing the hockey we were playing. With Cambridges’ defence upping we continued to work hard. Later during the second half we won a short corner which Olivia Williams slid the ball towards goal and Hanna Hall got a touch which roofed the ball to the top of the net.  
Overall a good, positive game and we focus on Cambridge Uni next week.  
 

WOMENS 1ST XI - 17/09/2022 VS SUDBURY 1 (H) 
 
TEAM: Womens 1st XI 
DATE: 17/09/2022 
FIXTURE: Womens 1st XI VS 17/09/2022 
HEADLINE: NCHC 1 v SUDBURY 1 
LEAGUE: EAST PREMIER DIVISION 
VENUE: TRF 
RESULT: 5-1 
 
REPORT: 
 
One rainy afternoon NC womens 1s turn up to TRF for a friendly v Sudbury. 
 
NC brought their A game and bossed the game from the first whistle. With 3 touch hockey and some cheeky 1, 2s NC got several across the goal line.  
 
Sudbury looked good with a counter goal but were unable to get past the strong NC defence to cause concern. NC battled until the final whistle, showed great team spirit and determination throughout. A well deserved win! 
 
Final score - 5-1 to NC. Goal scorers: Olivia Williams, Rosie Ringer x2, Flic Williams and Stacey Lee