This Week’s Results

Team	Opposition	H/A	Score	Scorers	Player of Match
L1s	Sudbury 1	H	0-3 (L)		Holly Setchell
L2s	Harleston Magpies 3	A	3-0 (L)		Stella Windsor Waite
L3s	Ipswich 2	H	1-3 (L)	Lucy Buxton	Lucy Buxton
L4s	N City 3	A	3-0 (L)		Mia Somers
L5s	Magpies 6	H	2-5 (L)	Anita Mancini Gemma Ballard	Georgia Butterworth
L6s	Carrow	A	13-1 (L)	Claire Stuart	Emma North
L7s	Loddon 2	A	0-2 (W)	Sophie James Claire Fairhurst	Sophie James
L8s	Carrow 2	H	0-2 (L)		Mehnaz Shammy
M1s	Norwich City 2	H	3-1 (W)	Jack Hallworth x2 Matt Knights	Jack Hallworth
M2s	Norwich City 4	H	8-1 (W)	Rupert Snelling x3 Joe Flatt x3 Isaac Diver Hall Matt Hull	Matt Hull
M3s	Newmarket 1	A	6-0 (L)		Phil Good
M4s	Norwich Exiles 1	H	3-4 (L)	Will Kirby x2 Bobby Stuart-Sheppard	Will Ives
M5s	Harleston Magpies 5	A	3-2 (L)	Will Kidner Jamie Allsop	Jason Wolfe
M6s	Rest Day	-
BD A	Norwich City	H	10-0 (W)	Aryton Rant Dylan Bondi x4 Will Sexton x5	Theo Demetiou Will Sexton
BD B	Watton	A	1-6 (W)	Hector McNeill x2 Louis Bolton Smith x2 Fin Dearmer George Wilson	James Hollis George Wilson
GD A	Magpies	H	1-3 (L)	Rosie Smith	Josie Kell
GD B	N City	A	8-0 (L)		India Bunn

East League,  Ladies 1N
Norwich Dragons Ladies 1s v Sudbury 1s:  0-3

MOM:  Holly Setchell

The Ladies 1s lost 3-0 against high flying  (unbeaten) Sudbury 1s. Sudbury pressed very high and were quick to close down, however we managed this the majority of the time. It was 2-0 at the end of the first half. The first opposition goal was a straight strike to the left post from a short corner. The second, also from a short corner, was lifted and dropped to hit the back board. Unfortunately, a Dragons’ goal was disallowed, however we fought on but sadly couldn’t find the net. The third opposition goal was scored within the last 5 minutes of the match after a scramble in the D. Goalie, Gina Hunt, saved the first shot, Sophie Thomas saved the second, however we couldn’t save the following rebound. Player of the match went to Holly Setchell for her strong and aggressive tackles, especially against a skilful Sudbury striker.

East League, Ladies 2NE
Norwich Dragons Ladies 2s v Magpies 3s:  0-3

MOM:  Stella Windsor Waite

Wet and windy weather and a strong looking Magpies 3rd team met Dragons at Weybread. Having a late drop out in the morning Dragons 2’s were down to a bare 12 players. 

The first half was a very close affair, with both teams having good opportunities, Shelly Seaman and Georgia Rant coming close for the visitors, but thwarted by Magpies strong GK. Sadly for Dragons a couple of lapses before half time saw the strong Magpies forward, firing home two strikes.

The 2nd half was less even, with Magpies forcing Dragons back for long spells of the game. Dragons were a bit sloppy in their play and just not able to get themselves going, with too many stray passes or running into open sticks. Another goal came for Magpies during this spell of pressure.

A disappointing 2nd half performance by Dragons, meaning they left with nothing. Player of the Match was Stella Windsor-Waite.

East League, Ladies 2NE
Norwich Dragons Ladies 3s v Ipswich 2s:  1-3

Goalscorer:  Lucy Buxton
MOM:  Lucy Buxton

Ladies 3s lost 1-3 at home to Ipswich. We got over our slow-start curse with a lovely, well worked goal in the first 3 minutes. Assist from Lillian Sore with the final work around the goalie from Lucy Buxton.

The opposition’s first goal came from a short corner, with the others coming in the second half when our concentration slipped. Another result which didn’t fully reflect how we played. Lucy was also our player of the match – welcome back!

Empresa Norfolk Women’s League, Premier Division
Norwich Dragons Ladies 4s v Norwich City 3s:  0-3

MOM:   Mia Somers

Empresa Norfolk Women’s League,  Division 1
Norwich Dragons Ladies 5s v Magpies 6s:  2-5

Goalscorers:  Gemma Ballard, Anita Mancini
MOM:  Georgia Butterworth

Dragons 5s lost against Magpies 6s. We took a bit of time to get going and despite having no subs we settled in the second half to win that part 2-1. Goals coming from Anita and Gem. Magpies were strong and took advantage of some fast breaks. Their keeper also had a very good game! POM to Georgia Butterworth for some great work playing out of position in left midfield! Well done.

Empresa Norfolk Women’s League, Division 1
Norwich Dragons Ladies 6s v Carrow:  1-13

Goalscorer:  Claire Stuart
MOM:  Emma North

Another tough game today for the Ladies 6s away against Carrow. They were good. There is no other way to say it. But we kept going and actually had a very enjoyable game despite what the score ended up being. The second half was much stronger (those extra 4 minutes at half time waiting for the hail storm to pass really did the trick), and we even scored a goal!!! It was an absolute beauty from Claire Stuart ! Anyway, if you need to know, they beat us 13:1 in the end. But hey it’s not the worst we have seen this season and we all had lots of fun in the sun. Man of the match goes to Emma North for some wonderful saves, including a penalty flick. Onwards to next week now, team. 

Empresa Norfolk Women’s League, Division 2
Norwich Dragons Ladies 7s v Loddon 2s:  2-0

Goalscorers:   Claire Fairhurst, Sophie James
MOM:  Sophie James

Ladies 7’s won a well fought game against Loddon 2’s securing a 2-0 finish. Strong play from all players despite the cold, wind and rain. First goal scored by Sophie James from a well executed short corner. Second goal scored by Claire Fairhurst after great link up play from Maisie Dearmer and Lara Nuthall. Mom Sophie James. Thank you to Des and Rob Wagstaff for the sideline support. Go dragons!

Empresa Norfolk Women’s League, Division 3
Norwich Dragons Ladies 8s  v Carrow 2s:  0-2

MOM:  Mehnaz Shammy

The 8s played arguably their best hockey of the season, and with all respect to their opponents there was an element of luck about both the goals.  The first was scored with scarcely a minute on the clock when a speculative ball into the circle bobbled around hitting various sticks before rolling slowly over the line.. The second, midway through the second half, was a clean shot struck from a cross – which a Dragon’s defender had well covered before she unluckily fell on the slick surface.

So having reported on the goals, time to concentrate on a very solid performance by the Dragons. They lost 4-0 to Carrow earlier in the season, and this performance represented a step up by every department. The 8s traditionally play and build from the back, and Esther Jacobs in goal turned defence into attack with some positive wide clearances.  The defenders improved their marking and tackling, and with Jo Lees, Bridget Le Good,  Johanne Steward and Jess Lockwood rotating, it was good to see them combining the ability to hit the dimples off the ball with some finer touch play. There were even times under pressure when good communication  enabled one defender  to rob a forward in the circle, and another to complete the clearance. This was progress! Hester McLean showed her versatility by putting in a stint in defence and also in a more attacking role, switching with Johanne also moved smoothly from defence into attack.

Carrow tended to have the better of the end to end exchanges, because as a team they used stronger passes and gathered them safely. But Dragons were fighting back, and push passes and sweeps from Bridget, Jo and Jess were finding the new 8s experimental midfield. Nic Harrison and Sadie Jacobs both carried the ball well, and they were joined by two newcomers to the team who made a big impact. Mehnaz Shammy, who regularly runs rings round teammates in training, was for the first time able to play competitively and was player of the match for ball carrying and tackling skills. She combined well with Imi Burke and Kaia Peiris. Karen Davidson turned in another good performance at top of the diamond and created openings to left and right for Johanne Steward and Louise Crouch-Read up front.

If the 8s can keep this midfield together, there is every chance that they will learn to press and create more opportunities. Carrow asserted themselves in and around the defensive circle, and Dragons need to learn to hold their own space and get shots away. Its a difficult skill to practice safely in training, but the cutting edge is one of the last pieces of game play the 8s need to master if they are to get a win before the end of the season.

The 8s declared themselves very happy with their game against tough opposition, and players worked hard for each other. More plans to do even better in training and in the next match! Go Awesome 8s.

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East League, Men’s 2N
Norwich Dragons Men’s 1s v Norwich City 2s:  3-1

Goalscorers:  Jack Hallworth x2, Matt Knights
MOM:  Jack Hallworth

The well rested Dragons, dispelling dark memories of defeat a fortnight ago, regrouped for this week’s encounter with Norwich City. City would come into this game confident, with one of our regrettable performances this season coming on their turf several months ago.

Only one outcome today would do…the sweet taste of GLORIOUS RETRIBUTION!

Pounded by the wind, rain, and hail, the game was underway with each team pushing for the opener. The Dragons, however, soon took control of proceedings with Matt Knights finishing crisply from the penalty spot. City came back at us hard, and while we controlled much of the play in the first half, our defence was breached for a moment, which saw City equalise.

At the half-time break the sun broke through the thick clouds and spurred us on into a comfortable second half display. Not forced into a high gear of play, we moved forward and Jack Hallworth struck from a deflected short corner and shortly after, whilst being tumbled in the D, he rifled a reverse strike into the top of the net … bullet! 

The whole team had a very solid game, and while not our most fluid and expansive display of hockey today, there is a confidence to push on to the end of the season in good form and finish strong! 

Special mention to LJ Dangerous who celebrated his 30th anniversary of birth yesterday and crowned the momentous day with two…yes two…strikes at goal today! 

We now begin packing our bags and preparing provisions for the epic trek to Horncastle next week…

 

East League, Men’s 3NE
Norwich Dragons Men’s 2s v Norwich City 4s:  8-1

Goalscorers:   Joe Flatt x3, Rupert Snelling x3, Matt Hull, Isaac Diver Hall 
MOM:  Matt Hull

Men’s 2s won 8-1 with their second win in succession with an excellent performance against Norwich City 4s.  We started off well, picking up a well worked goal in the opening minutes of the first half. After having much of the possession, we were hit by a quick City move that levelled the scores. However, we bounced back in quick fashion with another goal before half time and closed the half 2-1 up. In the second half, we continued strongly before putting a 3rd and then 4th past City. They couldn’t cope with the pressure put on by ourselves, conceding another 4 in quick succession in the last 10 minutes of the game.

East League, Men’s 3NE
Norwich Dragons Men’s 3s v Newmarket 1s:  0-6

MOM: Phil Good

A day to forget for the Men’s 3s as a tough day away at Newmarket proved their biggest loss of the season so far.

A woeful start saw dragons go 3-0 quickly before solidifying for the last 5 minutes. The hairdryer was out at halftime which saw the away side perform much better for most of the second half however the few errors were pounced upon by Newmarket seeing the score finish 6-0. A deserved win for the home side but score line is flattering. MoM for recently selected Norfolk Masters wonderkid Phil Good, whilst DoD goes to Ed Smith for an unusually sloppy day out.

3 big games left for survival, we go again against Peli 2s next week.

East League, Men’s 5NE
Norwich Dragons Men’s 4s v Norwich Exiles 1:  2-4

Goalscorers:  Will Kirby x2, Bobby Stuart Sheppard
MOM:   Will Ives

Good challenging game saw Exiles take the lead but Dragons fought back to head into the half time break 2-1 up. The second half saw the game get competitive with Dragons creating chances but not being as clinical in front of goal. In the end Exiles fought back to take the lead and Dragons pressed til the end. Well played all. Goals 2x Will Kirby…and one that was millimetres away and the other from Bobby Sheppard. Man of the match to Will Ives for being everywhere in defence.

East League, Men’s 5NE
Norwich Dragons Men’s 5s v Magpies 6s:  2-3

Goalscorers:  Will Kidner, Jamie Allsop
MOM:  Jason Wolfe

Dev Girls A  v Magpies:  1-3

Goalscorer:  Rosie Smith
MOM:  Josie Kell

Dev Girls B  v Norwich City:  0-8

MOM:  India Bunn

Dev Boys A v Norwich City:  10-0

Goalscorers:  Aryton Rant, Dylan Bondi x4, Will Sexton x5
MOM:  Theo Demetiou, Will Sexton

It was a sunny but very cold and windy game.
The two teams set out determined but the play stayed firmly in City’s half for the first 2 quarters. The score at half time was 5-0 to dragons.
City came out fighting after half time and pushed in to Dragons half but were not able to get on the score sheet.
Dragons dominated once more and Scored a further 3 goals in the 3rd quarter.
The final score was 10-0 to Dragons despite City’s final flourish in the closing minutes with Dragons keeper being called into action to make a save.
Well done all on a great game.