This Week’s Results
| Team | Opposition | H/A | Score | Scorers | Player of Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L1s | Cam Uni 2 | A | 1-0 (L) | Joanna Raymond Lucy Morton |
|
| L2s | Magpies 3 | H | 3-1 (W) | Jess Bennett Hannah Hardy x2 | Hannah Hardy |
| L3s | Watton 1 | A | 7-0 (L) | Stella Windsor Waite | |
| L4s | Broadland 2 | A | 3-4 (W) | Caroline Wolfe x3 Lilli Ballard | Trish Hagan Jenna Mills Sophia Haehnelt |
| L5s | Diss | H | 1-1 (D) | Gemma Ballard | Emily Smith |
| L6s | Watton 2 | A | 7-1 (L) | Gill Walker | Gill Walker Louise Brooks |
| L7s | Magpies 6 | A | 3-1 (L) | Adelice Kraemer | Emma Dyer |
| L8s | Magpies 7 | H | 0-5 (L) | Neha Shammy Issy Gale |
|
| M1s | Long Sutton 1 | H | 1-5 (L) | Rupert Snelling | Lewis Wilkins |
| M2s | Newmarket 1 | A | 1-3 (W) | Jason Wolfe Ed Gould Louie Barby | Peter Dickerson |
| M3s | Sudbury 2 | H | 1-1 (D) | Tom Vaughan | Tom Vaughan Jon Goodson |
| M4s | Magpies 4 | H | 1-1 (D) | Joel Lawrence | Isaac Diver Hall |
| M5s | Pelicans 4 | A | 1-2 (W) | Greg Reynolds Sam Echevarria | Will Bowman |
| M6s | Nflk Nomads 1 | H | 1-4 (L) | Charlie Creasy | Charlie Creasy |
| BD A | No Fixture | ||||
| BD B | Dereham | A | 1-5 (W) | Ben Panter x2 Raul Wigglesworth Josh Cormack Will Panter | Tom Jackson |
| GD | Yarmouth | A | 0-1 (W) | Hattie Stuart | Evie Marlee |
East League, Ladies 1N
Norwich Dragons Ladies 1s v Cambridge Uni 2: 0-1
MOM: Lucy Morton, Joanna Raymond
The Ladies 1s, welcoming Lucy Morton back into the squad, alongside Harriet Green
and Gail Thomas, travelled down to Cambridge to take on the University 2 nd XI.
Depleted by injury, illness, and absence, it was always going to be a tough game against a
feisty and youthful team, but going down to a bare 11 before the game even started set
the stage for an uphill struggle against the opposition’s army of 15. The Dragons started
tentatively, as the students exposed gaps in our defensive unit, and capitalised on their
pace up front. However, the team soon settled and began to go on the offensive, with
the forward line of Tabba Tabbrett, Maddy Reynolds, and joint player of the match, Lucy
Morton, making some excellent runs up front. The first half saw a few chances for both
sides, with some excellent saves by both keepers to keep the score 0-0 at half time.
The second half started much the same, with plenty of opportunities for the visitors. A
number of chances saw the ball slotted just wide on several occasions, and run across the
face of goal on others. The hosts also had their own chances, with Harriet Green and
Carmel Windsor-Waite needing to make some important tackles on the wide flanks of
defence, and Shelly Seaman making an excellent save off the goal-line to keep the score
at 0-0. However, with no substitutes and a slow pitch, the team of 11 began to tire and
Cambridge were able to exert some pressure. After a flurry of short corners, they
managed to convert through a bobbling straight strike. Despite the tireless running of
Tabbrett, alongside the midfield unit of Holly Reding, Gail Thomas and joint player of
the match, Joanna Raymond, the Dragons were just not able to pull the game back, and
the whistle blew with the score still at 1-0. This was a disappointing and frustrating loss,
but lessons can be learned with regards to game management. And with a full squad, the
team fully expect to take their revenge on home turf.
East League, Ladies 2NE
Norwich Dragons Ladies 2s v Magpies 3s: 3-1
Goalscorers: Jess Bennett, Hannah Hardy x2
MOM: Hannah Hardy
East League, Ladies 2NE
Norwich Dragons Ladies 3s v Watton 1s: 0-7
MOM: Stella Windsor Waite
This week saw Norwich Dragons 3rd team travel to play Watton 1st team who are undefeated this season with a team that consisted of no fewer than eight under 18 players. The team welcomed both Lily Sore and Emma Bambridge for their 3rd team debuts.
The game started as a fairly even contest with both teams creating some good hockey all over the pitch. The defensive combination of Esther Jacobs in goal, Lily Sore, Ally Windsor Waite, Stella Windsor Waite and Emma Bambridge combining well for the first time together keeping a clean sheet for the first twenty minutes of the match.
The midfield combination of Elsa Scott, Hannah Ellis, Catherine Matthews and Grace Brown were linking well to fed the forwards of Harriet Marlee, Harriet Rant, Aditi Naik and Katie Lister, who were worrying the Watton defence.
Unfortunately, Watton managed to score three quick goals from open play mid-way through the first half. Dragons kept battling, winning short corners and creating goal scoring chances but the first half ended 3 0 to Watton.
The second half again saw some promising hockey from Dragons but were not able to score a goal and Watton were clinical in front of goal and scored another four goals in the second half, three from short corners.
A great team effort from such a young and inexperienced team, with plenty to work on and build on in the coming weeks. Player of the match was taken by Stella Windsor Waite for a determined performance in defence. Thank you very much to our sideline support and encouragement from Spike, Sarah and Neeps.
Empresa Norfolk Women’s League, Premier Division
Norwich Dragons Ladies 4s v Broadland 2s: 4-3
Goalscorers: Caroline Wolfe x3, Lilli Ballard
MOM: Trish Hagan, Jenna Mills, Sophia Haehnelt
The Ladies 4s headed to Taverham for an early start for their fixture against Broadland 2s. With a chilly start to the morning, there was a slight concern that the pitch might be frozen in places, but it was soon apparent that the sparkles on the ‘bouncy’ pitch was just water glistening in the bright sunshine.
Empresa Norfolk Women’s League, Division 1
Norwich Dragons Ladies 5s v Diss 1s: 1-1
Goalscorer: Gemma Ballard
MOM: Emily Smith
Ladies 5s faced top of the table Diss on a bright sunny autumn day. The match started as Steph Samson had requested with good pace and determination from the outset. In the first half Dragons dominated overall with the midfield Anita Mancini, Mel WIddows, Katherine Hardwick and Beth Elgood looking solid. There were attacks both ends of the pitch with Jane Wells crossing to Gemma Ballard who took a shot but it was saved by the keeper, then Diss broke and took a strike but this was blocked by Hannah Edwards. The midfield then sent the ball up to Jane, Beth and Lizzy McDonnell who completed a great move but this was well defended by Diss. Dragons continued to press and Jane then broke down the right sending a powerful shot into the D which Amy Forse sent just wide of the post. Dragons continue the pressure with 2 short corners just before half time but unfortunately were not able to score.
Diss came out fighting in the second half winning an early short corner but Kristina Smyth made a great save. Dragons defence continued to be challenged by Diss but Lou Davis, Steph, Georgia Butterworth and Hannah worked brilliantly to keep them at bay. Beth broke on the right sending a beautiful ball into the D which Gemma just had to touch to seal Dragons goal! Diss were awarded a short corner but Kristina made another great save. Diss then broke on the wing bringing the ball past our defence at the top of the D to score in an open goal. Dragons did their best to add to the scoreline with further shots at goal but the final score was 1:1 bringing Diss’ 8 match winning run to an end. A solid team performance from Ladies 5’s. Player of the Match went to Emily Smith.
Empresa Norfolk Women’s League, Division 1
Norwich Dragons Ladies 6s v Watton 2s: 1-7
Goalscorer: Gill Walker
MOM: Gill Walker, Louise Brooks
Norwich Dragons Ladies 7s v Magpies 6s: 1-3
Goalscorers: Adelice Kraemer
MOM: Emma Dyer
The 7s turned in a very creditable performance against the division’s unbeaten leaders, holding them to a goalless draw in the first half and pulling a goal back after Magpies established a three goal lead in the second half. The Dragons defence are developing into an assured unit, with Emma ‘Meg’ Dyer turning in another POM performance in the centre ably backed by Erin Aldous and Amy Hunter. Becky Bowen, playing despite a nasty respiratory infection, stuck to her task at bottom of the diamond and got in some good tackles. As usual, Emma ‘Northie’ North was reliable in goal and withstood a barrage of shots in the first half. The midfield continued their progression, with Paige Fisher and her unorthodox way of tackling stopping a lot of raids and cross balls, and Katy Cole worked hard as usual. Captain Claire Fairhurst proved her versatility with different roles in the mid, and showed excellent direction when playing at top of the diamond. Nat Crisp was able to play in the second half and added some bite into the link between forwards and defence.
Dragons did not make enough use of the potential of Addi Kraemer, because they had difficulty in reaching the right side of the pitch. Magpies wanted to play centrally and down their right, which kept the 7s pinned on their left side. The one time that Bridget Le Good managed to get a decent pass to Mia McGhee, she sprinted down the left channel and timed her cross beautifully for Addi to slot home. During the last 7 minutes, Dragons produced some decent hockey, but Magpies were in no mood to be generous.
7s know that there are three things they have got to work harder at in training – and the challenging thing is that it is the same three things that have plagued them all season. It is a great shame that illness and other commitments have meant that the 7s are no longer the champions of training that they were last season. They need more than six or seven to take advantage of the excellent coaching available to them if they are to ‘click’. That having been said, this was a pretty good performance against a strong team and all the Dragons made plenty of effort. So thanks to the Magpies for an enjoyable game and the tea of the season so far! The quest for success continues…
Empresa Norfolk Women’s League, Division 3
Norwich Dragons Ladies 8s v Magpies 7s: 0-5
MOM: Issy Gale, Neha Shammy
Ladies 8’s were at home against Harleston Magpies today. It was an early pushback and the pitches glistened after a light frost in the early morning sunshine. The setting was idyllic but despite a valiant fight we lost 5-0. We had four opportunities on goal but just couldn’t quite get it across the goal line.
Issy Gale played with energy and dogged determination in midfield and was rewarded with cheers from the sidelines, not just from the Dragons but the oppositions supporters as well! Nehar Shammy played in her debut match for Dragon’s Eights and did us all proud in defence continually clearing the ball and deservedly earning herself MOM. Karen Davidson made an incredibly competent goalie and made some great saves! Also in defence Jess Lockwood, Jo Baker and Eva Muiruri fought tirelessly to form a wall to block the ball going through and we witnessed some awesome play. Mouse Fielding, Sadie Jacobs, Sarah Lucas and Katie Davidson were in midfield and I don’t think any of them experienced the luxury of standing still!! They were constantly on the move and if any of them were wearing a Fitbit, I would love to know the mileage they covered!
Lois Metcalfe, Johanne Steward and myself, Emma Young were playing as forwards, Lois and Johanne set up some great goal opportunities but we just couldn’t quite finish them with a goal.
But despite the loss today the Awesome 8’s remained positive and determined. We were able on reflection to highlight strengths and weaknesses and how to improve them for next weeks match.
It takes a lot to dull the spirits of the Awesome 8’s and we will be back and we will be Victorious!!!
East League, Men’s 2N
Norwich Dragons Men’s 1s v Long Sutton 1s: 1-5
Goalscorers: Rupert Snelling
MOM: Lewis Wilkins
East League, Men’s 3NE
Norwich Dragons Men’s 2s v Newmarket 1s: 3-1
Goalscorer: Louie Barby, Jason Wolfe, Eddie Gould
MOM: Peter Dickerson
East League, Men’s 3NE
Norwich Dragons Men’s 3s v Sudbury 2s: 1-1
Goalscorer: Tom Vaughan
MOM: Tom Vaughan, Jon Goodson
East League, Men’s 4NE
Norwich Dragons Men’s 4s v Magpies 4s: 1-1
Goalscorer: Joel Lawrence
MOM: Isaac Diver Hall
Dragons start well with strong running and good positional play helping against a mix of youth and experience in the Magpies side. Dragons scored first with Joel Lawrence slotting home from close range. Unfortunately this didn’t last as Magpies capitalised on a direct ball into the D to gain a touch to wrong foot the keeper. Both sides played a fast form of hockey with Alberto Embarba making sure the Dragons midfield was well defended. This enabled Dragons player of the match Isaac Diver-Hall to create issues and constantly win turn over ball. The game ended 1-1 despite Dragons having a few clear opportunities to get good shots on target and pinch the game.
East League, Men’s 5NE(N)
Norwich Dragons Men’s 5s v Pelicans 4s: 2-1
Goalscorers: Greg Reynolds, Sam Echevarria
MOM: Will Bowman
East League, Men’s 5NE(N)
Norwich Dragons Men’s 6s v Norfolk Nomads 1s: 1-4
Goalscorers: Charlie Creasy
MOM: Charlie Creasy
Development Leagues
Norwich Dragons Development Girls v Yarmouth: 1-0
Goalscorer: Hattie Stuart
MOM: Evie Marlee
Norwich Dragons Development Boys B v Dereham: 5-1
Goalscorers: Ben Panter x2, Raul Wigglesworth, Josh Cormack, Will Panter
MOM: Tom Jackson