Norwich Dragons Men’s 4s vs  Norwich City Men’s 3s

Score: 1-11

Scorers: Alberto Embarba

MOM: Alex Wolfe

Dragons received Norwich City 3s at the Den at 12:30 in the afternoon. Despite a very changing weather forecast, both teams enjoyed a good hockey session in the sun and the rain only came once the game was over.

Dragons knew this would be one of the toughest challenges this season since the visiting team was already at the top of the league before the game. Despite City reaching double figures that consolidate Dragons at the wrong end of the table, what was seen on the pitch was nothing but a good fight between two teams not that far in skills. A fair number of efficient short corner routines helped City increase their lead progressively, while outfield their superiority wasn’t that obvious. Only a stubborn goal post kept Will Kirby from scoring with a straight blast that could be heard across town. The score at half time was 0-6.

Dragons had a collaborative talk during the break in which everyone added up to make the necessary amendments for the second half. Despite City scoring five more times, Dragons had clearer chances during the second half and managed to get their symbolic prize with a single goal by Alberto Embarba, who flicked the ball from the top of the D across to the left side of the net and away from the keeper’s reach. It was a great team effort that started with a number of quick bounce passes from the left side and finished with a very generous pass from Will Gwyther, whose 3D skills created a ‘misleading optical illusion’ that made some City players think he had used parts of his body to push the ball forward… but that could never be proved 😉

The score at full time was 1-11, with the MoM award finally going to keeper Alex Wolfe, for displaying a magnificent catalogue of saves of all kinds throughout the whole game. Everyone gave their best but Adam Bowles, Ed Cross, Isaac Diver-Hall and Will Gwyther had outstanding contributions to such an enjoyable and fair hockey game.

 

Norwich Dragons Men’s 5s vs  Norwich City 5’s

Score: 4-0

Scorers: Casper Lind, Will Sexton, Pete Thomas & Seb Atkinson

Norwich Dragons 5s claimed an incredible 4-0 win over local rivals Norwich City in today’s 5NE East Anglian derby.

The reds began on the back foot, relying on goalkeeper Dave King’s defensive prowess to keep the score 0-0 in the first half hour of play.

Though Dragons faced a barraged of short corners, expert defence denied City a breakthrough.

But City’s hopes of leading into the second half were dashed in the 30th minute when Casper Lind broke the deadlock and found the back of City’s net.

Dragons returned from the half time break a changed side with renewed confidence and began playing as a more cohesive unit in comparison to the first 35 minutes.

Striker Will Sexton made his impression felt with a worldie reverse stick, finding the onion bag to make it 2-0 to the reds early into the second half.

Within minutes Pete Thomas had upped the score line to 3-0, twisting the knife on a waning City side.

Dragons pressed home the advantage and dominated play, probing the opposition on both wings and breaking down the opposition.

One such exploit lead to the 4th and final goal, with winger Bertie Pinching taking the ball down to the right hand corner flag, assisting left midfielder Seb Atkinson who promptly drilled it into the bottom left.

Dragons maintained possession for much of the final minutes of the game, winning a final short corner just before the whistle and flooded the City half with red shirts, at the prospect of making it 5 goals to none. Though City were spared of humiliation with a deflection of midfield stalwart Ali Smyth’s shot, putting the ball out of play and triggering the end of play.

Dragons walked away with four goals, an unstained sheet and one of their most remarkable victories of the year, with manager Andrew Cross praising the team’s youngsters for their efforts in the post-match press conference. “…Impressed with all the team and especially the youngsters who executed the game plan so well in the second half”.

 

Norwich Dragons Men’s 6s vs Watton 1’s

Score: 1-11

Scorers: Darryl Robinson

Disappointing that after such a super effort 1st half to turn 1-3, that we ran steam as we were hit for 8 goals after the break. As it was 2 of the 3 first half goals were deflections &  Dar Ryl Robinson swept home our first short corner.  Still we must regroup after Christmas & there is the opening of the Transfer Window, when we can bring in a couple of defenders. Have a Safe Christmas & keep fit.

 

Norwich Dragons Men’s 7s vs Norwich City 7’s

Score: 1-1