Men’s East League Division 7NE
Norwich Dragons 6s 3-6 Ipswich Cranes 2s

After a mammoth struggle to put a team together, 13 players made the trip to Ipswich for the rearranged match against Cranes. With 4 players making their 6s debut, the pre-match talk was about learning names, a too-frequent experience this season. Cranes proved to be quick on the break and after some pressure scored a well taken goal from a short corner. A second followed but a stunning goalline save from Ben Nkrumah kept Dragons in touch and a good through ball from Rich Davis was well dispatched by Gary Burgess to leave the score at 2-1 at half time.

Cranes started the second half strongly and scored early. Dragons continued to build good pressure and create chances but a Cranes short corner was well stopped by Robert Coyle, 6 inches behind the line, to make the score 4-1. Cranes continued to attack but learned that they could not play the ball around Ben Nkrumah as he thundered out to flatten a not-insignificantly sized Cranes forward (got the ball first). Andy Key pulled one back but an unlucky deflection to a Cranes forward (might have been Coyle again) gave Ben no chance and the two goal cushion was restored. Mike Banham scored yet another short corner but Cranes continued to find ways through the Dragons defence and the match eventually finished 6-3.

Man of the Match was Ben Nkrumah who looked like an experienced keeper despite making his first outing in Men’s Hockey. Some excellent stops and great, calm, decision making.

Many super performances from our players young and old, we were just a step behind them for most of the match. Despite the result, an enjoyable end to Men’s 6 action for 2014.

We have used 34 different players and 8 goalkeepers, had 2 games conceded to us and 2 postponments. It’s been an exciting half season. Roll on Part 2!