Norwich Dragons Ladies 1s Vs Cambridge City 3’s
Score: 0-2
MOM: Kiera Goymour
Ladies 1s unfortunately lost to Cambridge City 3s 2-0. We created lots of chances and dominated phases of the game. Sadly the goals didn’t come our way this week! Bring on training and St Neots next weekend to convert chances into goals!
Norwich Dragons Ladies 2s Vs Norwich Dragons Ladies 3s
Score: 6-0
Scorers: Maddy Reynolds, Hannah Hardy x2, Jess Bennett x2 & Lucy Cross
MOM: Maddy Reynolds
L2’s took on L3’s in an early start at the Den. Large squads for both teams meant both were hugely grateful for sideline support from Pete Thomas and Caroline Wolfe respectively.
2’s started on the front foot with good early pressure deep into the 3’s half. The first goal came early from a Maddy Reynolds drag flick from a short corner, taking a deflection off a 3’s leg on the way through. 3’s battled hard and earned a couple of shorts, well dealt with by the defensive unit and some strong saves by Jillian Bain Christie. 2’s continued to press forward a strong run along the baseline from Lillian Sore, who pulled the ball back to the P Spot for Hannah Hardy to slot home. Hardy scored her 2nd not long after, following great work along the other baseline from Lucy Buxton, again pulling a great ball back to the P Spot.
2nd half saw a similar pattern with the 2nd team continuing to put on the pressure – with the 3’s defending in large numbers deep into their half. More short corners came and went, but the 2’s managed to take their chances in open play. Sarah Jessica Bennett scored following good work by Flori Smith. The team goal of the game came from Shelly Seaman deep in the left corner, finding Gail Thomas on the left. Gails smart early pass inside to Han Hardy, who found Hannah Roney in the middle. An early ball into Maddy Reynolds who used her skill to draw defenders and slot to Lucy Cross to fire home.
The final goal was great individual skill infront of goal by Jess Bennett who hammered the ball against the backboard with a great reverse stick strike. Both teams gave their all, working really hard for each other. The 3’s spirit was strong and they will do well in this league if they continue with this team spirit. 13 goals in the last 2 games for the 2’s, says a lot about how they are developing, following the disappointing opening day defeat. The tweak in formation has helped the team and understanding and confidence is improving. Still plenty to work on and lots of competition for places – training levels have been high and if the team keeps up their work for each other, then signs are encouraging.
PoM went to Maddy Reynolds for her strong, positive and confident forward display. Thank you to Jason Wolfe and Jon Price for umpiring so well.
Norwich Dragons Ladies 3s Vs Norwich Dragons Ladies 2s
Score: 0-6
MOM: Katie Lister & Nat Crisp
Well what a match !!! We definitely had the 2’s on their heels for the whole match and I believe they had themselves worried at times we needed to believe we were a match for them and between us I think we brought it to them
They however got the goals and by half time they led by 3 goals but we kept putting our ‘ALL’ into the game but alas no goals came out of it for us and they won 6-0 in the end.
I can honestly say that the 3’s played amazingly well this morning – and we can be so proud of ourselves. Thanks to Karen and her team of 2’s for such a fabulous game
Norwich Dragons Ladies 4s Vs Broadlands 2’s
Score: 2-1
Scorers: Claire Stuart
MOM: Jennifer Buskell
Though a bit shell shocked in the first 20 mins and conceding 2 goals, Dragons rallied and began to assert themselves more. The second half was all Dragons and Claire Merriam Stuart scored with a very neat deflection. Despite numerous attempts we couldn’t get the equaliser. Lots of heart shown in the second half – proud of the team.
Norwich Dragons Ladies 5s Vs Norwich City 5’s
Score: 2-1
Scorers: Gem Ballard & Lily Macdonald
MOM: Jane Wells & Lara King
At last a game when the sun shone for most of the play. The game began well for Dragons who scored very early on after a great combined move down the right ending with Jane delivering a great cross across the goal for Gem Ballard to calmly slip into the net ..Dragons were 1:0 up. From then on City 5s upped their game with some lovely play from their young wing players who passed the ball well and gave us some challenges in midfield and defence. But with the stoic defence of Maddie, Emily, Brooksy and Mia as well as a lot of running from the mids of Lara, Freya, Floss and Neet we kept them bay for most of the half with some solid tackles and tight marking which frustrated the City attackers. There was some good possession hockey from the Dragons towards the end of the first half but still some gaps that were being exploited by the City mids and forwards. After the break, Dragons began to play a much better game with better distribution, using the breadth of the pitch to good affect. Yet it was City who capitalised on a disputed foul to spring a surprise break on goal which levelled the game at the1:1. This spurred the Dragons on with most of the second half possession being with Dragons. The forward line of Gemma, Lilly, Lizzy and Jane putting pressure on the city backs at 16s and sidelines ..some lovely supportive play by Brooksy, Lara, Floss, Freya and Anita; moving the ball around and breaking through their defence but not able to get it past their very good goalie…After a series of short corners for Dragons they were finally rewarded with a goal from Lily MacDonald who slipped the ball past a defender and goalie after a great strike by Jane…POM quite rightly shared between Jane Elizabeth and Lara King. Everyone really stepped up their game in the second half against a very tough and skilled City team.
Norwich Dragons Ladies 6s Vs North Norfolk Ladies 2’s
Score: 3-0
Scorers: Charlotte Knight, Adelice Stanley & Hattie Stuart
MOM:
L6s travelled away to play NN2s on a rather chilly afternoon.
After a brief chat from captain Brit and pat 6s started the game with a positive attitude, which lead to Charlotte scoring our first goal. North Norfolk were quick in their turn overs however didn’t manage to get it past our strong defensive line. Our midfielders were also working hard at getting the ball wide allowing us to work around the players. At half time we had a pat chat which got us ready for the second half where we managed to score a further two goals from
Adelice and Hattie. Making the final score 3-0 to us!! Great game all round, player of the match was awarded to Mae, closely behind was Jessie. Well done everyone!
Norwich Dragons Ladies 7s Vs Broadland 3’s
Score: 4-2
Scorers: Sarah Marshall, Hannah Shepperson, Charlotte Carr & Lara Nuthall
MOM: Hannah Shepperson
An absolutely beautiful 4-2 win over Broadland 3s for the 7s today! Could not be happier and prouder, we’ve worked so hard as a team in training and today that really did shine through. A close game in the first half and with some lovely chances we just couldn’t convert and were unlucky to go 0-1 down. However, the second half saw some really strong play and a bit of cat and mouse on the score sheet with dragons equalising and going 1 clear with Broadland shortly equalising once more. Continued effort and composure from dragons saw us pop two more in the goal and some stellar defending meant the game finished 4-2 to dragons! Goal scorers were Sarah Marshall, Hannah Shepperson, Charlotte Carr and myself. MOM very well deserved went to Hannah Shepperson!
Norwich Dragons Ladies 8s Vs UEA 5’s
Score: 1-3
Scorers: Karen Davidson
MOM: Karen Davidson
Dragons 8s lost a closely-fought encounter 1-3 away to UEA 5s. It was a game which saw the 8s return to their progressive form, with the plus points being the way they managed to cope with a different formation, some last minute changes and one or two players being a little below par because of illness or injury.
The two captains made their plans, and it was captain on the day Jess Lockwood who explained what she expected of her players. Nola Mitchell was in goal, and blossomed under the encouraging eye of manager Amy Forse. The only shots to beat Nola were the very best, and on the few occasions when the students slipped their markers.
The defence was the first unit to settle. With Jo Lees playing sweeper, they looked nicely secure. Nothing much gets past Jess Lockwood nowadays and Emma Young is developing strength, reliability and accuracy on the ball. Nell Morrey and Karen Davidson shared the central defender role, which in the past the 8s have thought of as their bottom of the diamond. But with two strong defenders forming part of the back line, it meant that they could get far more balls through to the mids.
The midfielders showed just what they could do when individuals are brought together in an experiment. It was great to have Sadie Jacobs back. She started a little nervously up front, but when she dropped back into left and right mid, she was in her element. Sadie made herself available, picked up the passes, and skilled the opposition frequently. Ellie O’Kane also returned, and reads the game so well that the attacking moves flowed from her passes. Ellie also showed strength in the tackle and combined well with Imogen Burke who had another high-energy game.
In the meantime, Karen was making her presence felt as she had to play in several different positions. Possibly her strongest was at attacking central mid, and if she has more opportunities to link with a central defender like Nell, this has great potential for the 8s. On one of her forays, Karen (whose hard work earned her the POM) received a short corner and her shot from the top of the circle pinged its way in via a rather surprised defender.
The forwards had their chances, but did not really spark. Johanne Steward ran herself into the ground doing the rather thankless task of the high forward. Bridget Le Good did some decent through passes, but this meant she wasn’t where she was needed when she was needed. Things improved in the second half when Sadie’s presence pushed the forwards higher and Alicia Billington joined in with some speedy runs.
This was big effort from the 8s, and a step up on their performance last week. It was particularly praiseworthy for the team to commit to trying something different and finding that it worked. It would probably help them to build their sharpness (assuming the combinations remain similar) if the mids and forwards practice gathering some firmly-struck passes and shooting on sight. Overall, all the team needed was a lot less feet and a little more luck!
Norwich Dragons Men’s 1s vs Cambridge City 4’s
Score: 2-3
Scorers: Ollie King & Sean Orton
MOM: Alex Brooks
Moving into game day 3, the Dragons unfortunately could not find that second win of the season. A frustrating game throughout where our rhythm was hard to come by, the visitors took the lead from a carefully placed push into the boards from a short corner. Kit, with some impressive composure, skill, and close control at the top of the D, kept ice-cool to play a through-pass. The pass found Kingo at the back post who finished past the keeper with ease. 1-1.
Cambridge, deeper into the first half, aimed to keep the ball in defensive positions before making swift advances into the final third, which gifted them two goals before the close of the half. 1-3. Stepping up the pitch, and as a unit, the Dragons controlled periods of the second half and pushed the visitors – who had THE most intriguing ‘character’ we have had the pleasure of encountering 
– back into their own half. Through really fine play by Sam Avery and Pedro Goss in midfield, the ball found me at the top of the D and I played in a tireless Jono Chaney-Baxter whose close-range quickfire effort was well saved. Kingo again went close with a well taken, but likewise well saved, reverse-hit!
Another move through midfield found Oliver Buck on the left edge of the D, whose fired ball into the area evaded Cambridge defenders (and a Dragon or two)…I trapped the ball in the D, and finished past a rapidly onrushing keeper. 2-3. With Cambridge still trying to kill the game, a break from Dragons swept up the pitch and a fine chance presented itself for Mark Flatman to slot home, but a slapped finish sailed agonisingly heavenward! We pushed to the end, ultimately winning the second half, but couldn’t amend for the damage taken in the first.
Next week we travel to Cambridge. A different opposition, but a chance for retribution!
Norwich Dragons Men’s 2s vs Norwich Dragons Men’s 3s
Score: 6-3
Scorers: Charlie Creasy x 2, Josh Rollason, Henry Ashcroft, Chris Simmonds & Rupert Snelling
MOM: Dim Ives
I can only really second what Jas has said about the spirit of that game. Really competitive, fair, and too even for our liking…
The 3s put us under constant pressure with and without the ball, broke with real pace, and defended heroically. It would be fair to say that the same amount of chances were created by both teams but we were indebted to some experienced finishing from our lads – the only difference between the two teams! And I promised myself I wouldn’t make any comments about being hindered by the sun in the second half (woops)
Look forward to the reverse fixture but more so to trying to make it four from four next week
Norwich Dragons Men’s 3s vs Norwich Dragons Men’s 2s
Score: 3-6
Scorers: Robin Clarke & Jason Wolfe x2
MOM: Arj Puvanachandra
A perfect game in many respects; the 2s getting the points and goals they needed and the 3s proving they can absolutely compete at this level.
These intra-club games are always slightly odd affairs, but this one was played in a brilliant spirit and at a generally high level of competence. The 3s were able to bolster their ranks with a couple of very experienced and high class individuals (yes I’m buttering them up so that they’ll play again), including Richard Moulson and Pete Thomas. The team was pretty much made up of those under 20 and those over 50.
And after a very exciting first half where both teams created good chances, it was one of those youngsters in Robin Clarke who got the first of the 3’s goals {although sadly we’d conceded two by then). The increasing confidence of our youngsters helped counter the wilting legs of our oldies and a classic end-to-end game ensued.
The final score ended 6-3 but both teams were grateful to their respective goalkeepers for keeping out plenty of good chances. Wolfe senior managed to bundle in our two remaining goals, but it really was a great effort all round.
My sincere thanks to the 2s for the way they conducted themselves, and my sincere admiration to the 3s that put in such a good performance. And not to forget them, a big well done to
Player of the match could have had a number of candidates, but was very deservedly won by young Arj Puvanachandra for tireless work and exceptional skills.
Looking forward to next week already.
Norwich Dragons Men’s 4s vs Colchester
Score: 0-5
MOM: Will Ives
Men’s 4’s came away with a 5-0 loss against a very good Colchester side. First 20 mins we managed to hold them off and even though were down everyone worked and fought hard right to the end and especially the last 15 mins. Man of the match Will Ives for his performance in defence.
Norwich Dragons Men’s 5s vs Sudbury
Score: 2-0
Scorers: Richard Phillis & Casper Lind
MOM: David Kidner
The 5th XI dispatched Sudbury in a hard fought 2-0 battle.
Dragons opened strongly against a heavily defensive Sudbury side, controlling possession for the majority of the half despite a number of counter attacks from the Sudbury side. However the score remained level at half time following a number of strong yet fruitless short corner efforts from by dead ball specialist Josh Bingham, as well as a pair of chances from Atkinson saved by the keeper.
Dragons entered the second half controlling the play, with only a handful of Sudbury incursions into the Dragons’ half. The stalemate was finally broken by Richard Phillis in an inspired short corner routine, with a slip from Bingham at top D to Will Kirby and Phillis putting it away from close range.
Dragons then sealed the deal on a counter attack, with right winger Will Sexton crossing the ball into the D for Casper Lind to smash into the backboard. Dragons parked the bus for the final minutes with defensive assets David Kidner and Joel Dennis soaking up the Sudbury onslaught to retain Dragons’ freshly laundered sheet. A well deserved result following a disappointingly close 5-4 loss last week.
Norwich Dragons Men’s 6s vs Norwich Dragons Men’s 7s
Score: 0-6
Norwich Dragons Men’s 7s vs Norwich Dragons Men’s 6s
Score: 6-0
Scorers: Will Bloom, Andrew Cross x3 & Joe Heywood x2
MOM: Matthew Cooke & Joe Heywood
A good and well contested game at home to the men’s 7 team. Some good passages of play and use of width allowed the 7s to open up a 2 nil lead at half time with goals from Will B and Andrew C. The rain arrived for the second half with two further goals from Andrew C and 2 goals from Joe Heywood on his M7 debut. A good team effort all-round with everyone working hard. Men of the match this week are: Matthew Cooke for working tirelessly in defence and creating numerous opportunities down the right wing and Joe Heywood for his efforts at both ends of the pitch and 2 goals.
Norwich Dragons Boys Development Bibs vs Non-Bibs
Score: 1-5
Scorers: Florian Vermeijden (Bibs) Louis Bolton-Smith x4 & Henry Gale (Non-Bibs)
MOM: Monty Patel (Bibs) & Joe Crotty (Non-Bibs)
Dev Boys played a keenly contested in-house bibs v non-bibs friendly this afternoon. The 22 boys (which included 4 u12 boys) all played well and produced some good hockey despite in some cases playing positions for the first time. Our goalkeepers, Patrick and Max, made excellent saves and defences were well marshalled by Monty and Deeran. Both midfields passed and ran with the ball well and up front there was some good movement and the usual goals for Louis. Non-bibs managed to get the ball through to their striker more successfully and came away with a 5-1 win in the end. Non-bibs goals were four from Louis Bolton-Smith and one for Henry Gale. Bibs goal was well taken by Florian Vermeijden.
Thanks to Alpesh Patel and Martin Taylor for managing the bibs team, Simon Howard for marshalling and Andy Kelsall & Josh Cormack for umpiring. MOTM suggested by the coaches: Bibs – Monty Patel, awesome performance in defence. Breaking up countless attacks and good passing out from the back. Non-bibs – Joe Crotty, another defender, excellent pressing and tackling with some great driving runs.
Norwich Dragons Girls Development vs Magpies Girls Development
Score: 0-5
MOM: Katie Hume
Dev Girls B Team played well as a newly established team of young players. Magpies were the stronger team, but Dragons had some good passages of play with strong runs down the wing by Mae Hollis (Andrew Hollis) and attacking play from India Bunn. However it was some great saves from Edie Martin in goal & good defending from Meena Rimmington which kept the halftime score line to just 0-2. In the second half Magpies seemed to come out more determined and despite strong tackling and quick intercepting of the ball at bottom of the diamond (as well as a save off the line) by Player of the Match Katie Hume, the stronger Magpies players took their chances well and the match finished 0-5. Despite the score line, the coaches were encouraged and pleased with the B team’s first performance! Great effort girls!