This Week’s Results
| Team | Opposition | H/A | Score | Scorers | Player of Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L1s | Low Ladies 1 | H | 1-1 (D) | Issy Wolfe | Mima Watson |
| L2s | UEA 1 | A | 2-4 (W) | Haz Green Jess Bennett Jess Haw Saskia Williams | Esme Potter |
| L3s | N City 2 | H | 1-1 (D) | Victoria Earley | The team! |
| L4s | Slip Date | ||||
| L5s | Slip Date | ||||
| L6s | Beccles | A | 1-1 (D) | Gemma Ballard | Floss Andrews |
| L7s | Pelicans | A | 1-2 (W) | Mia McGhee Lois Metcalfe | Emma Fielding |
| L8s | City 7 | H | 0-2 (L) | Esther Jacobs Ari Miquel |
|
| M1s | Kettering 1 | A | 4-2 (L) | Olly Buck Rupert Snelling | Ed Gould |
| M2s | UEA 1 | A | 5-0 (L) | Peter Dickerson | |
| M3s | Low Railway | H | 4-5 (L) | Mitch Smith x2 Jon Goodson Piers Gordon-Brown | Piers Gordon-Brown James Goodson |
| M4s | IES 4 | A | 5-3 (L) | Tommy Chapman Garnett Jones x2 | Isaac Diver-Hall Charlie Creasey |
| M5s | N City 7 | H | 6-0 (W) | Andrew Cross x4 Adie Kemp x2 | Arjuna Puvanachandra |
| M6s | No Fixture | ||||
| BD A | Magpies | H | 3-2 (W) | Ben Panter x2 Jake Reynolds | Jake Reynolds |
| BD B | Slip Date | ||||
| GD | Pelicans | A | 5-0 (CL) |
East League, Ladies 1N
Norwich Dragons Ladies 1s v Lowestoft Ladies 1s: 1-1
Goalscorer: Issy Wolfe
MOM: Mima Watson
Norwich Dragons Ladies 1s put in a much improved performance on home turf to draw
1-1 with Lowestoft Ladies.
Despite struggling in recent weeks, and suffering a dip in confidence levels, the Ladies 1s
came out on Saturday determined to play to their potential. The game started well, with
the Dragons dominating possession and creating some early chances. The Lowestoft
goalkeeper did a good job of keeping her team in the game in the early stages, making
some great saves from the attempts by the forward line of Issy Wolfe, Maddy Reynolds,
Katy Hands and Lucy Morton. As the first half went on, Lowestoft did manage to break
through the lines on a number of occasions. Seeking the long ball through the middle,
their defence managed to find their high forwards on a couple of occasions, leaving them
with an overload situation. However, player of the match, Mima Watson, and the rest of
the defensive line up managed to clear their lines, along with some excellent keeping
from Gina Hunt. The first half ended with the Dragons narrowly missing the net after a
slick short corner routine found Kiera Goymour on the left castle, who struck in for a
neat deflection from Katy Hands.
The Dragons went into the second half with much more confidence, and dominated
possession for the majority of the game. After a flurry of short corners, Issy Wolfe
managed to get the conversion after an initial strike from Liv Leary was saved on the
post, and Wolfe cleared up. However, after taking the lead, the Dragons were put under
some pressure from a reinvigorated Lowestoft side, as they immediately went on the
counter attack and won a short corner. The hosts managed to clear this, but a few
minutes later, after a break down of play in the middle of the pitch, the Dragons found
themselves on the back foot. Lowestoft drove along the back line, pulling the ball back
to the P-spot. Despite getting a touch on it, the Dragons defence were unable to clear,
and the opposition tapped the ball in at the back post. Despite having all the possession
in the remaining 10 minutes, and a number of short corners, Dragons were unable to
find the winner, leaving the score 1-1 at full time. While a win would have been a better
reflection of the game, the Dragons can take heart from a much improved performance,
which they will be looking to build upon next week.
East League, Ladies 2NE
Norwich Dragons Ladies 2s v UEA 1s: 4-2
Goalscorers: Jess Bennett, Jess Haw, Haz Green, Saskia Williams
MOM: Esme Potter
Half Term meant that most people were either ‘on the piste’, off to sunnier climes or the rigours of the term had caught up with them and they were ‘off sick’. With Captain Karen O’Neill Simpson having succumbed to illness and another half dozen of the regular team away, Dragons knew this was going to be a tough encounter. The team were grateful to Shelly Seaman and Joanna Raymond for helping the team out, alongside amazing youngsters Esme Potter, Saskia Williams and Lucy Buxton all stepping up into the team and playing key roles.
It was UEA who started the brighter, with Dragons GK Issy Mumbray needing to be alert to smother a couple of early chances, but it was the home team who struck first from a smartly struck short corner routine. Dragons took a little while to get properly into their stride, understandable given the changes, but midway through the half scored the equaliser, Hannah Hardy and Lucy Buxton combining to square the ball to the incoming Jess Bennett to slot home. Not long after this, Dragons were reduced to 11 players, with Lucy Buxton twisting her knee and unable to play any further part.
Dragons had started to pass the ball better towards the end of the half, this continued in the second half, using the width better rather than trying to force the ball through the middle. Dragons second came from a fine individual run down the right by Saskia Williams, who beat a number of players, calmly driving into the D and firing a reverse stick strike under the out rushing GK. UEA continued to press however and the newly formed Dragons back four of Esme Potter, Stella Windsor-Waite, Shelly Seaman and Jess Bennett worked really hard as a unit and cut out most of the threats, however a short corner routine by the students, led to an equaliser.
Dragons didn’t let their heads drop and continued to press – Joanna Raymond working hard in the middle supported well by Debs Smith and Haz Green on either side of midfield. The third came following good work by Debs Smith, who found Jess Haw on the left, who worked hard to get into the D and fire the ball across the goal, where Haz Green had ghosted in at the far post to slot home. The fourth followed shortly after, Saskia Williams again making a fine run down the right, finding Hannah Hardy on the back line, who glanced the ball back towards Jess Haw who was clinical with her finish in front of goal.
A pleasing win given the changes the team had been forced into. Player of the Match was tight between Saskia Williams and Esme Potter, with Esme taking it for a fine, mature display and some strong tackles, but all round there were some excellent performances all across the pitch, with everyone giving their all for the team.
East League, Ladies 2NE
Norwich Dragons Ladies 3s v Norwich City 2s: 1-1
Goalscorer: Victoria Earley
MOM: The team!
Empresa Norfolk Women’s League, Premier Division
Norwich Dragons Ladies 4s – no fixture
Empresa Norfolk Women’s League, Division 1
Norwich Dragons Ladies 5s – no fixture
Empresa Norfolk Women’s League, Division 1
Norwich Dragons Ladies 6s v Beccles: 1-1
Goalscorer: Gemma Ballard
MOM: Floss Andrews
Dragon’s arrived at Hobart with lots on energy and keen on leaving with points.
Despite recent results not going their way, they have been playing progressively better hockey and have really started to come together as a team.
Winning the pushback Dragon’s started strong, however, were not prepared for the physicality of the game and soon found themselves 1-0 down after a lifted ball over the Dragons defence led to a break away goal.
Dragon’s continued to dominate possession, putting countless amounts of pressure on the Beccles keeper, however, she made save after save denying the 6s of an equaliser in the first half.
The half-time team talk focused around using the space of the pitch and showing tenacity in the final third. This paid off after a break-away led to a corker of a reverse stick goal by Gemma Ballard.
This gave the time a renewed sense of determination. They upped the pressure on Beccles through some great distribution to the forward line, earning Floss Andrews a well deserved player of the match after intercepting countless Beccles clearances and up-cycling them into great chances.
Unlucky not to clinch a winner, the 6s come away with a point. With 4 games left and the mission of climbing one more place the next 2 games will be crucial.
Empresa Norfolk Women’s League, Division 2
Norwich Dragons Ladies 7s v Pelicans 3s: 2-1
Goalscorers: Mia McGhee, Lois Metcalfe
MOM: Emma Fielding
Ladies 7s saw a difference to the team sheet this week due to some of
the regular players being unavailable. However, this was not going to
stop the grit and determination as we thrived for the game ahead of us
against Pelicans.
We started the game with the majority of possession of the ball, using
all members of the team to get it round the nippy Pelis players, with a
strong mid-field line of Maisie Dearmer, Briony Johnstone, Nat Crisp and
Brittany Hopkins we were able to work the ball around them and pass it
nicely to our forward line of Mia McGhee, Lois Metcalfe and Lara King
who worked together well. After having many shots at goal during the
first half, Mia scored the first goal of the match which came from a
lovely pass from Lara, which the goalie managed to get a touch on but
Mia got the rebound and scored making us 1 nil up. Pelis also had a few
shots at goal but our keeper Emma North was on form and was saving them.
However, shortly after we scored our goal Pelis were quick to fight
back, and managed to work the ball round us and our defensive line of Bethan
Greaves, Emma Fielding (Mouse) and Anna Chapman and got it past Emma
making it a 1-1 draw just before the half time whistle went.
After a quick team talk, some sweets and a drink of water Dragons were
ready for round 2. Like in the first half we had most possession but
even more so in the second half. Our second goal came very early in
the second half after another lovely cross from Lara which again
deflected off of the keeper as she dived to save the ball and Lois
managed to get a reverse stick on it with enough power to whack it home
scoring her first goal of the season! Throughout the second half Dragons
absorbed a lot of pressure from Pelis as they were trying to level with
or beat us. This meant they also began to show determination as they
were awarded 3 consecutive short corners and were really pushing and
hoping to level the score but were unsuccessful as our defensive line
and a few midfielders were able to put the pressure on and clear the
balls. After a bit more play Sophie James was getting stuck in and was
working tirelessly to tackle Pelis and win the ball back into our
possession in both the first and second half of the game. She was a
flexible player who started in defence in the first half and moved to
left mid in the second. Shortly after the full time whistle went and we
cheered and shook the hands of the young Pelis team.
Empresa Norfolk Women’s League, Division 3
Norwich Dragons Ladies 8s v Norwich City 7s: 0-2
Half-term availability had a big impact on the 8s squad, but with two new players, the return of Louise Bond, and Karen Davidson determined to play despite a nasty abductor injury, the Awesome 8s were their usual excited and positive selves looking forward to their re-scheduled match against their derby rivals.
But even before the match started, enthusiastic drilling took out Johanne Steward (black eye) and Shaniece Claxton (bloody nose). However, you can’t keep a Dragon down and both picked themselves up to play, particularly welcome for Shaniece who was giving herself a few minutes on the pitch after injuries before Christmas.
Dragons started well, finding each other with well-timed passes and holding their formation. But gradually City began to dominate and if it had not been for Esther Jacobs being in fine kicking and diving form, the visitors could have had more goals. The Dragons defence held firm, with Captain Jo Baker looking solid at centre back and getting the see-saw going. The defence improved the percentage of 16s and free hits they managed to get out wide and clear, with Jo, Jessica Lockwood and Rosie Tarleton working well together and protecting the centre castle.
Going in only one goal down, Dragons were still well in the game, but they did not keep their shape or pass as accurately in the second half. City created threats with some excellent crosses, Dragons contributing to their downfall by ‘fishing and missing’ with reverse stick tackles. So having learned to be strong through the middle, the 8s will work on their marking and tackling. Debutant Rosie impressed with her sweeping clear, and Ari Miquel, also making her first appearance, took top marks for her tackling, high energy runs and tenacity. Ari shared the POM with Esther with both of them the role models for never giving up. Some players did get stronger as the match wore on – Sadie Jacobs having so improved her ability to win the ball out on the left wing. Nic Harrison is almost back to her courageous best after long term injury (not hockey related!) and was finding her touch on the right wing, and the experienced Louise Bond combined well in the defensive unit.
Seems hard to award Karen Davidson DOD after she bravely stood up to some crushing tackles, and managed to distribute the ball beautifully. But any player who wants to take a restart bully with THREE ‘ground sticks’ AND face the wrong direction is going to have to take some bantz. Some of the nicest touches came from Emma Young and Jo Steward, who know how to steal into good positions and send the ball away. Katie Davidson also created space in midfield and linked the play well.
This week, the 8s had far more of the attacking play and actually got a penalty corner which Bridget Le Good whistled past the post.
Jo Baker pronounced herself pleased with the individual work rate and effort of all her players, but is looking for the squad to maintain energy and consistency throughout the match to get over the finishing line. The squad benefited from some high-energy coaching from Mike Hardy during the week and this was carried through into sideline management during the match, which all the players appreciated. Go Awesome 8s – the win is within reaching distance!
Norwich Dragons Men’s 1s v Kettering 1s: 2-4
Goalscorers: Olly Buck, Rupert Snelling
MOM: Ed Gould
The men’s 1s threw away a 2-0 lead at half time to lose 4-2 away at Kettering. A couple of injuries essentially meant we played the majority second half with a player less and legs began to tire. An extremely disappointing result against a team in a similar position in the league.
East League, Men’s 3NE
Norwich Dragons Men’s 2s v UEA 1s: 0-5
MOM: Peter Dickerson
M2s well beaten by a strong UEA 1s side. A poor spell of 4 goals conceded in the first half left a mountain to climb and unlike last week we couldn’t pull it back. Final score 5-0.
East League, Men’s 3NE
Norwich Dragons Men’s 3s v Lowestoft Railway 1s: 4-5
Goalscorers: Mitch Smith x2, Jon Goodson, Piers Gordon-Brown
MOM:
East League, Men’s 4NE
Norwich Dragons Men’s 4s v IES 4s: 3-5
Goalscorers: Tommy Chapman, Garnett Jones x2
MOM: Isaac Diver-Hall, Charlie Creasey
Dragons travelled to Ipswich with a team or youth and experience. Starting brightly Dragons matched IES in the opening exchanges with Garnet Jones rolling back the years and slamming home a rocket past the IES keeper. This woke IES up and the game became more entertaining with Ipswich poaching the lead before half time to make it 2-1, despite Charlie Creasy excellent reverse stick shot clipping the post. Undeterred and Dragons up to a full complement with Tommy Chapman back on up front Dragons continued to threaten. Unfortunately, Dragons couldn’t get in front and IES pounced on two rare mistakes to the end score to 5-3. Garnet Jones continued to poach goals with a well taken finish as did Tommy Chapman from a good short corner variation. But despite tireless running and positive play from Will Plank , Will Mares and Isaac Diver-Hall Dragons failed to get another in the last 10 mins despite penning IES in their own half. Excellent play from the Dragons young guns still left us with a smile on our faces as did the nice teas and good company from IES (many thanks). Also hats off to the netball mum and the clubhouse steward who looked after our patient for the first half enabling us to play a full and competitive game. Man of the match very hard to split between Isaac Diver-Hall and Charlie Creasy who both had fantastic games.
East League, Men’s 5NE(N)
Norwich Dragons Men’s 5s v Norwich City 7s: 6-0
Goalscorers: Andrew Cross x4, Adie Kemp x2
MOM: Arjuna Puvanachandra
East League, Men’s 5NE(N)
Norwich Dragons Men’s 6s- no fixture
DEVELOPMENT LEAGUES
Dev Boys A v Watton: 3-2
Goalscorers: Ben Panter x2, Jake Reynolds
MOM: Jake Reynolds