This Week’s Results

East League,  Ladies 1N
Norwich Dragons Ladies 1s v Sudbury 1s:  5-1

Goalscorers:  Shelly Seaman, Issy Wolfe, Olivia Thomas, Maddy Reynolds, Kiera Goymour
MOM:  Issy Wolfe

Norwich Dragons Ladies 1s continue to build momentum in Division 1N League, taking
all 3 points in a 5-1 win against Sudbury Ladies 1s. The Dragons began the match
strongly, dominating possession and keeping much of the play in their attacking half.
While Sudbury managed to break through the middle with a couple of long balls through
to their forwards, they did not look overly threatening in the opening stages of the game.
After a flurry of short corners – one of which saw Mia Bartrum’s drag flick sail just
inches wide of the post – the Dragons managed to convert one, through a strike from
Shelly Seaman on the right which was deflected into the roof of the goal by player of the
match Issy Wolfe. The scoreline remained at 1-0 at half time.

The second half opened in much the same way, with the hosts maintaining possession,
and finding the back of the net a second time through a well-timed run from Issy Wolfe,
and a beautifully placed pass to the unmarked Liv Thomas in the D. Thomas took the
ball on her reverse and cooly slotted in past the keeper. Following this, the Dragons
experienced a difficult phase of play and were put under pressure by the visitors. The
defensive unit absorbed the pressure, with Sophie Barrow making a number of fantastic
tackles on the left. However, following a series of short corners, Sudbury managed to
claw their way back into the game after an awkward bobbling strike crossed the line. The
visitors maintained the pressure for a further few minutes before the Dragons took
command of the game again. The forward movement and the feeding of the ball from
the midfield was much improved this week, and the team were rewarded with a further
three goals. Two came from penalty corners, with Kiera Goymour finding the net from
the left, and Shelly Seaman from the right. The final goal came after some lovely
movement off the ball around the pitch, finding Issy Wolfe on the left hand side of the D.
Wolfe crossed the ball on her reverse to a waiting Maddy Reynolds for a tap in goal. A
good performance from the whole squad.

East League, Ladies 2NE
Norwich Dragons Ladies 2s v North Norfolk 1s:  3-4

Dragons had a good warm up and started the game at a fast pace. Within minutes of the start Dragons earned a short corner. The ball was put out by Harriet Green straight to Jess Bennett, who stopped the ball and fired it home to put the Dragons 0-1 up. This fired the Dragons up even further and they continued to press and put pressure on the North Norfolk defence. During this spell of pressure several shots were had, but saved well by the North Norfolk keeper. On one of these saves the ball fell to Lucy Morton who calmly slotted it into the goal. This but Dragons 0-2 up within 15 minutes of the start. Dragons had further chances, but unfortunately nothing came of them. Then just before half time and against the run of play North Norfolk got one back. When the whistle went for half time it was 1-2 to Dragons. Coach Ollie King was pleased with the first half and asked for the same again.

Unfortunately for the dragons North Norfolk started the stronger of the two teams and before long had managed to drew the game level at 2-2. After this a real battle ensued with both teams having several chances but neither scoring. North Norfolk continued to work hard and eventually managed to break the deadlock making it 3-2 to North Norfolk. North Norfolk were encouraged by this and not long after made it 4-2. The Dragons however did not give up and continued to try and fight their way back into the game. A piece of good individual skill from Jess Bennett saw her score her second to make it 4-3. Dragons continued to push to see if they could at least get a point from the game but ran out of time. The whistle went with the score at 4-3 to North Norfolk. Player of the match went to Sarah Borrett for some good goal line stops and good defending.

Thanks to Ollie King for his help and to all the supporters that travelled to Cromer to cheer us on. Thanks also to Dragons 8th team who tried their best to spur us on, but unfortunately on this occasion it wasn’t to be.

East League, Ladies 2NE
Norwich Dragons Ladies 3s v Felixstowe 1s:  4-0

Goalscorers:  Hannah Ellis, Hannah Hardy, Harriet Rant, Sam Franklin
MOM:  Sam Franklin

Norwich Dragons Ladies 3 rd team this week welcomed Felixstowe Ladies 1 st team on a bright sunny Saturday morning to the Den. Dragons began the game playing positive attacking hockey, which was to set the tone for most of the game.

Dragons first goal was scored from their first short corner with a clean strike from Harriet Rant at the top of the D. Dragons energised by scoring an early goal and creating chances began to switch the ball at pace around the defence and midfield. Playing a short sharp passing game, the second goal came from a lay off by Hannah Hardy, which was fed up the left-hand wing with Catherine Matthews and Aditi Naik combining well to cross into the circle for Sam Franklin to sweep in style from the right.

The team continued to work hard defending from the front to maintain their lead at the beginning of the second half. Dragons 3 rd goal was confidently put away by Hannah Hardy on her return to hockey this season following injury. The fourth goal was scored from a favourite third team chuckle brother routine between Sam Franklin and slotted home by Hannah Ellis.
Dragons continued to play attacking hockey creating chances and the score could have been higher was it not for a superb performance by the Felixstowe keeper. Dragons defence remained focused throughout the match and kept any Felixstowe opportunities out and were awarded with a clean sheet. Player of the match was won by Sam Franklin for a super strike in the first half and tireless work in midfield up and down the pitch.

Empresa Norfolk Women’s League, Premier Division
Norwich Dragons Ladies 4s v Pelicans 2s:  5-0

Goalscorers: Caroline Wolfe x3, Lilli Ballard, Lisa Harwood
MOM: Steph Samson

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

Goalscorer:  Gemma Ballard
MOM:  Amy Forse

Empresa Norfolk Women’s League, Division 1
Norwich Dragons Ladies 6s v Yarmouth 2s:  6-0

Goalscorers:  Kelly Mills x2, Amelia Keitley-Webb x3, Adelice Kraemer
MOM:  Gill Walker

Empresa Norfolk Women’s League, Division 2
Norwich Dragons Ladies 7s v Breckland: 2-4

Goalscorers:  Mia McGhee, Maisie Dearmer
MOM: Maisie Dearmer

Breckland turned over the ball after the second pass and raced away to score a goal inside a minute – unhindered by any tackles from Dragons. But Dragons then picked themselves up and battled courageously, with the defence turning in an excellent performance. Breckland have one very strong player, and after scoring a second goal from a well-struck penalty, it was perhaps fortunate for Dragons she was not available to the home side for the second half. For the 7s, another slightly rejigged defence saw Emma Meg Dyer growing in confidence in the centre, well supported by Bethan Greaves, Amy Hunter, Jessica Young and Erin Aldous. Briony Johnstone was awesome at the bottom of the diamond, full of running and tackles. The midfield was very impressive. Maisie Dearmer on the right, Paige Fisher on the left and Claire Fairhurst at the top of the diamond passed accurately and fast and got the ball into circle. The score was 1-3 at half time, with the Dragons’ goal coming from a melee after a penalty corner, when Maisie Dearmer (POM) showed the greatest persistence by forcing the ball home.

So in the second half it was 1-1, which just shows that the 7s are frustratingly close to the win they so desperately need. Dragons improved the accuracy and timing of their passes and looked as though they could push Breckland close. Playing out from the back, Emma Northie North kicked and cleared strongly as usual and the defence, playing well as a unit could find their mids at will, which led to Dragons having a lot of possession. But the forwards lacked the ability to finish. Breckland packed their circle, and Dragons could not find a way through. Mia McGhee, Bridget Le Good and Katy Cole need to build an understanding quickly, and learn when to pass, when to slip and when to hammer a shot home. Erin Aldous moved up to left forward, and showed she could match Mia for speed and skill, Generally Bridget’s shots lacked their usual  power and too many from the right went straight to the keeper’s pads. After a super move from the back through the mids and into the circle, Bridget passed the ball across the circle for Mia to sweep the ball home for a beautiful goal. Despite urging from Claire, who was having a great game in control at the top of the diamond, there was no further score.

7s remain upbeat and determined, and have a good idea of what they need to do in training in order to find the final piece of the jigsaw. Come on 7s!

Empresa Norfolk Women’s League, Division 3
Norwich Dragons Ladies 8s v North Norfolk 2s:  0-6

MOM:  Chaniece Claxton

The Seeded Grape! 

It was going to be a tough game against top of the shop North Norfolk. It was a game that started with a 1 minute silence to remember all those lost and ended with the curse of the seeded grape!

North Norfolk proved their speed right from the off but great defensive play from the 8’s kept them at bay.

A rolling number of shorts kept coming but the defence held strong and Emma North In her second game of the day in goal was able to keep them from scoring. In quick succession North Norfolk slotted home some well worked goals from open play.

8’s worked hard to push North Norfolk to the wings and clear the ball wide to stop them from attacking the centre, with forwards and midfield working together to support the back line

A controversial goal came from the left hand side which saw the scoreline go to 3-0. The first injury of the game came just before half time, seeing some position changes for the 8’s.

After half time 8’s were ready to pick up the game once more and it was a half that saw the 8’s head more into the oppositions half with good defensive work and some great passing play. Shaniece out on the left wing never gave up and often came up with the ball, proving her player of the match status.

A lifted ball caught Sadie on the wing and a reshuffle was had once more. With many 8’s now playing out of position and a slight wariness 8’s fought on. 8’s continued to work hard, keeping sticks down and another goal was won with some hesitancy around a short corner.

2 more goals were to be won with a tired 8’s working determinedly to the end of the game showing how well they are working together and honing their skills.

A special shout out to the umpire who caught the ball one handed after a lifted ball to the sideline!

Final score 6-0 to North Norfolk. Several players were voted for in Player of the Match, with Shaniece hitting top spot for her untiring efforts out on the wing.

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

Goalscorers:  Rupert Snelling, Matt Jenkins, Jono Chaney-Baxter
MOM:  Rupert Snelling

After going 2 goals down in the space of the first ten minutes, things looked rather bleak. However, an inspired Dragons come back in a cracking spell of hockey gave them a 3-2 lead with come back kid Matt Jenkins and Rupert Snelling (p-flick – won by Patrick Gordon) and a naughty reverse from Jono Chaney Baxter bagging the goals. CoP hit back just before half time from a short to make it 3-3. An even second half but neither side could find the winner. An honourable mention to Olly Buck who charged down the last short on the whistle with his finger…

East League, Men’s 3NE
Norwich Dragons Men’s 2s v Lowestoft Railway 1s:  1-1

Goalscorer:  Alex Browne
MOM:  Peter Dickerson

East League, Men’s 3NE
Norwich Dragons Men’s 3s v Ipswich 2s:  4-6

Goalscorers: Tom Vaughan x3, Mitch Smith
MOM:  Angus Blazer

East League, Men’s 4NE
Norwich Dragons Men’s 4s v Norwich City 5s:  0-4

MOM:  Alex Brooks

Dragons unfortunately stated without a keeper despite City delaying the start. Dragons held there own until a miss control resulted in a goal before the keeper could get on. After that the game flowed both ways , with Dragons not able to convert their short corner chances. City capitalised on their chances with a flick and another goal going City way. The fourth City goal was a good short corner flick which James King manged to get to but couldn’t keep out. Half time looked bleak for Dragons at 4 down but the team knew they had had chances focused the team for the second half.  The second half opened up and unfortunately for Dragons they failed to finish again with the City Goalie blocking Rich Phillis from close range and Bobby Sheppard sending one over the bar. The defence held well with man of the match going to deserving Alex Brooks. So the game ended 4-0 to City and highlighted the need for Dragons to be more clinical in the D again. Thanks again to City for waiting for our late keeper and as always a nice curry and jacket potato.

East League, Men’s 5NE(N)
Norwich Dragons Men’s 5s v Norfolk Nomads 2s:  5-1

Goalscorers:  Will Bloom, Dan Ryan x2, Andrew Cross
MOM:  Dan Ryan

The game started with both teams standing in a circle to observe a minute’s silence to commemorate Rememberance Sunday and the 100 years since the end of the Great War.

Nomads opened the scoring in the first 10 minutes from a short corner, however Andrew Cross scored two in the next 10 mins. Dragons played very well playing a very good passing game. After half time it was all Norwich Dragons, Dan Ryan slammed home two shorts in, and was very much the play maker all game. Will Bloom got the last goal after a great run from centre back to stike making it 5-1 with 12 minutes left.

The Game was a fantastic team effort and very fun game to play.

East League, Men’s 5NE(N)
Norwich Dragons Men’s 6s v North Norfolk 3s:  2-3

Goalscorers:  Mike Banham, Sam Nutt
MOM:  Luke Wilkinson

Development Leagues

Norwich Dragons Development Girls v Norwich City Girls:  0-4

MOM:  Mia Norris, Mia Rutherford, Honey Wells, tbc

Norwich Dragons Development Boys A v Norwich Dragons Development B:  3-0