NDHC League Match Reports: Saturday 7th March 2020

This Week’s Results

TeamOppositionH/AScoreScorersPlayer of Match
L1sCity of Peterborough 2A3-0 (L)Shelly Seaman
L2sno fixture
L3sChristchurch 1A1-2 (W)Harriet Rant
Lillian Sore
Harriet Rant
L4sLoddon H1-0 (W)Niamh SomersGill Walker
L5sHerlings A0-8 (W)Claire Stuart x2
Gemma Ballard x3
Lizzy McDonnell x3
Mimi Rutterford
L6sEast Coast 3H5-2 (W)Adelice Stanley
Freya Dolding
Mia McGhee x2
Mia Norris
Freya Dolding
L7sBreckland H1-2 (L)Lara NuthallBrittany Hopkins
Fern Daly
L8sMagpies 7H0-9 (L)Mehnaz Shammy
M1sHorncastle 1A1-6 (W)Sam Avery
Jack Hallworth x2
Matt Knights
Dan Rix
Sean Orton
Kade Bond
M2sUniversity of East Anglia Men 2A3-1 (L)Joe FlattAlex Brooks
M3sPelicans 2H2-2 (D)Jon MilesMitch Smith
M4sNewmarket 2A1-3 (W)Will Kirby x2
Bobby Stuart Sheppard
Bobby Stuart Sheppard
Will Mares
M5sIpswich Cranes 1H8-2 (W)Robin Clarke x2
Jason Wolfe
Ross Barnshaw
Casper Lind
Will Kidner x3
Matt Armstrong
M6sPelicans 4H0-2 (L)David Pentin
BD ADerehamH1-2 (L)Dylan BondiJames Hollis
Theo Demetriou
Blade Earley
BD BEast CoastA4-1 (L)Tommy CahirTommy Cahir
GD AWattonA5-0 (CL)Dragons conceded
GD BEast CoastH5:0 (CW)East Coast conceded

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

MOM:  Shelly Seaman

The Ladies 1s lost 3-0 against City of Peterborough 2s. We didn’t play the hockey we’d been playing for the past few weeks. Although we had a large majority of the play, we didn’t move the ball on quickly enough and there wasn’t any urgency in the second half. It was 2-0 at half time. The first opposition goal came from a short corner, the second from a deflection. The third goal was scored quite early in the second half. We did have many chances to score, notably Shelly Seaman who nearly scored a volley, and Georgia Rant who struck an amazing reverse hit. However, a skilful opposition goalie was on them every single time. Player of the match went to Shelly Seaman for her work rate and shots on goal.

East League, Ladies 2NE
Norwich Dragons Ladies 2s – no fixture

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

Goalscorers: Lillian Sore, Harriet Rant
MOM:  Harriet Rant

Ladies 3s win away at Christchurch 2-1. Massive effort to come back from 1-0 down after 5 minutes, Dragons levelled just before the break, with the winner coming half way through the second half. There should have been more, but their keeper was having a very good day.
Goals from Harriet Rant and Lillian Sore. PoTM to Harriet for good interceptions, tackling and a “sick” goal

Empresa Norfolk Women’s League, Premier Division
Norwich Dragons Ladies 4s v Loddon:  1-0

Goalscorer:  Niamh Somers
MOM:   Gill Walker

Ladies 4’s have a good win 1-0 v Loddon. Goal scored by Niamh Somers in a goal line scramble (with a little help from the defence!). POM to  Gill Walker for her pocket dynamo performance in midfield. Well done everyone!

Empresa Norfolk Women’s League,  Division 1
Norwich Dragons Ladies 5s v Herlings:  8-0

Goalscorers:  Claire Stuart x2, Gemma Ballard x3, Lizzy McDonnell x3
MOM:   Mimi Rutterford

Empresa Norfolk Women’s League, Division 1
Norwich Dragons Ladies 6s v East Coast 3s:  5-2

Goalscorers:  Adelice Stanley, Freya Dolding, Mia McGhee x2, Mia Norris
MOM: Freya Dolding

Ladies 6s beat East Coast 3s 5:2 (talk about yoyo-ing this season…). An enjoyable game, lots of good tackles and passing play, and the sun even came out for a bit. Got some good short corner practise in and scored a couple of goals off them too. Goals from Mia McGhee x2, Mia Norris, Freya Golding and Adelice Stanley. Man of the match to Freya for a fantastic game at top of the diamond. Well done 6s, we needed and deserved that win. Let’s go into the last couple of games confidently 

Empresa Norfolk Women’s League, Division 2
Norwich Dragons Ladies 7s v Breckland:  1-2

Goalscorer:  Lara Nuthall
MOM:   Brittany Hopkins, Fern Daly

Today ladies 7’s played Breckland to lose an unfortunate 2-1. Goal scored by Lara Nuthall.  However, we played very well as a team. We had a fair few injuries but still we persevered. Our joint winners for POM were Fern Daly and Brittany Hopkins

Empresa Norfolk Women’s League, Division 3
Norwich Dragons Ladies 8s  v Magpies 7s:  0-9

MOM:  Mehnaz Shammy

We welcomed new players to the team Alicia Billington and were delighted to have Lynne Price
(out of retirement!) joining us too. Lynne proved to be worth her weight in gold, playing on right
wing and you could guarantee she was everywhere and anywhere she needed to be, taking hold of the ball and moving up the wing either in person or with an impressive whack, much to the frustrated magpies!

Man of the match went to a very deserved Mhanez Shammy who exhibited some beautiful text
book hockey, showing elegance and skill and out foxing the opposition as she took the ball up the pitch and into the D with at least two attempts on goal. Backing her up was Alicia Billington and Imi Burke, who like M were speedy, skilled and always ready in a free space to receive the ball. It was fabulous to have the three youngsters on the team and they played with a grace and confidence only to be admired.

Special accolade has to go to Emma North in goal, who made multiple saves and some of a jaw
dropping quality which again left Magpies dumbfounded! My personal favourite was one that she caught with her knees!!! I kid you not!!!!!

Jo Lee’s in defence, once again executed one or two of her infamous, stick down blocks right on
the goal line! Jess Lockwood in Left defence was kept on her AstroTurf tip toes as she relentlessly blocked and tackled and moved the ball deftly out wide and ditto can be said for our captain Johanne Steward. Bridget Le Good remained strong and defiant and refused to relinquish the ball in some feisty tackles which more often than not left her victorious!
Karen Davidson and Nic Harrison were their usual reliable selves. Nic fast and determined and
Karen, strong and persistent. Sadie Jacobs and Louise Crouch-Reed were up front and towards the end of the second half the ball was very much in our half meaning the forwards were given the opportunity to take the ball into the D and make some shots on target.

Lois Metcalfe was manning the bench and assured subbing ran smoothly, as well as offering a
much needed calm and brief repose from a fast paced match.

 
 

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East League, Men’s 2N
Norwich Dragons Men’s 1s v Horncastle 1s:  6-1

Goalscorers:  Sam Avery, Jack Hallworth x2, Matt Knights, Dan Rix, Sean Orton
MOM: Kade Bond

Cars packed for the epic journey to Horncastle – stopping for much needed breakfast provisions at Ronald’s patisserie  – we arrived following a scenic route and with Sam’s flailing lumber bus bouncing its way along.

The first half was a controlled affair. Sam Avery – harnessing the deep anger held for his car’s flaccid suspension – bullied his way out wide and past the Horncastle defence to ping the ball past a despairing keeper!

The second-half featured a dominant Dragons subjugation of Horncastle’s [extremely] long-ball tactic (they had a trebuchet at centre-back!)  Matt Knights struck first, deftly deflecting an upright reverse into a falling keeper who palmed the effort into the corner of the net.

Solid defensive performances alongside patient and inventive build-up play – with a commanding, assured and controlled midfield anchoring performance from Kade Bond – afforded the Dragons a control of the game.

Next to score was Dan Rix who’s reverse strike was carefully pushed into the net by a Horncastle defender. Jack Hallworth then notched his [now routine] deflected push from a short corner, under the keeper’s hand and over the line!

I (Sean Orton) was next on the scoreline. After being fairly ridiculed for not shooting earlier in the game, I received the ball at the edge of the D from assist-king Ollie King, took the ball past and through the legs of a defender and flicked the ball past the keeper into the net.

Hallworth then added his second with Rixy performing his classic pirouette spin for the ball to deflect into the path of the scorer who’s clip-shot rifled into the backboards.

A win to be proud of…certainly worth the epic journey across the Fens, and back in time, to Horncastle.

We celebrate and wait to see if Sam makes it back in his low-rider.

A special mention to Ali  Smyth who came on today and was solid. We now reminisce of better times…a flashback card below of his former glory…

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

Goalscorer:  Joe Flatt
MOM:  Alex Brooks

Men’s 2 unfortunately lost 3-1 in an even game which saw Dragons on the wrong side of the result. We dominated the first half, breaking through with an early goal from Joe Flatt in the first 5 minutes. However, our momentum was halted due to a stoppage for 5 minutes when one of the umpires fell over. UEA then took their opportunity to level the scores shortly after, as we finished the half 1-1. We continued to play decent hockey but a long ball from UEA and fortunate finish saw us go 2-1 down. We continued to press and create chances going close on numerous occasions but we were caught on the break once again and conceded our 3rd goal.

East League, Men’s 3NE
Norwich Dragons Men’s 3s v Pelicans 2:  2-2

Goalscorers:  Jon Miles x2
MOM:  Mitch Smith

Men’s 3s hosted Pelicans this afternoon at a slightly chilly and overcast Den. The visitors scored from 2 short corners to take them into the break 2-0 up. A slight dressing down and motivational speech from Jon Goodson and 9 year old son revitalised the side and sent us into the second half ready to put up a fight. A solid second half performance saw a great come back and well earned point from two Jon Miles short corner flicks. MOM Mitch Smith for a solid midfield performance and DOD for James Goodson sporting his wife’s jeans during teas.

East League, Men’s 5NE
Norwich Dragons Men’s 4s v Newmarket 2s:  3-1

Goalscorers:  Will Kirby x2, Bobby Stuart Sheppard
MOM:   Will Mares and Bobby Stuart Sheppard

Solid start from Dragons saw Will Kirby sneak the ball in under the keeper. Newmarket fought back though a good deflected cross but Dragon countered with a Kirby short corner. Half time ahead and Dragons looked to extend the lead early in the second half with plenty off chances. Newmarket suffered a couple of injuries which didn’t help but a fine finish from Bobby Sheppard put the game out of sight for Newmarket. The last ten minutes where more open but it closed out 3-1.

East League, Men’s 5NE
Norwich Dragons Men’s 5s v  Ispwich Cranes 1s:  8-2

Goalscorers:  Robin Clarke x2, Jason Wolfe, Ross Barnshaw, Casper Lind, Will Kidner x3
MOM:  Matt Armstrong

East League, Men’s 5NE(N)
Norwich Dragons Men’s 6s v Pelicans 4s:  0-2

MOM:  David Pentin

Good contest by both teams nil nil at half time. Two well taken goals by the visitors one from a short corner and a second a reverse stick shot at the top of the circle. 

Development Leagues

Dev Girls A  v 

Goalscorers: 
MOM:

Dev Girls B  v 

Goalscorers: 
MOM:

Dev Boys A v 

Goalscorers: 
MOM:

Dev Boys B v East Coast:   1-4

Goalscorers:  Tommy Cahir
MOM: Tommy Cahir

This was firmly a game of 2 halves. After an initial bright start from the Dragons boys East Coast took control of the first quarter with a very direct and determined style of hockey. This continued into the second quarter, however as we moved towards the end of first half it was clear the team were starting to get a foot hold in the game. 2-0 down at half time was a fair reflection of the game. The second half however was completely different. The Dragons team were able to get control of the mid field and started to dominate more. An excellent strike from Tommy Cahir was no more than the dragons deserved. The final quarter saw the Dragons team dominate the game with huge pressure on the East Coast defence. A freak goal at the end (the ball hit the post and bounced back to an attacker) meant the final score was not a fair reflection of the game.

The team never gave up and continued to push to the end. Great to see 3 of the Under 12 Team putting strong performances in for the team including man of the match Tommy Cahir.