NORFOLK WOMEN’S HOCKEY LEAGUE – PREMIER DIVISION
LOWESTOFT RAILWAY 1s 1 : 3 NORWICH DRAGONS 3s
Newly promoted Norwich Dragons 3s started the season with an encouraging display away to Lowestoft Railway 1s. The visitors started slowly and the home side had the better of the first 15 minutes. Lowestoft Railway took the lead when an opportunistic strike from the edge of the circle went in at the far post. As the half wore on Dragons settled and as half-time approached they were penetrating their opponents’ circle at will, winning a flurry of penalty corners. Their deserved equaliser came from the last short corner of the first half. Caroline Wolfe took the first shot which came back to her off the goalkeeper. Her second shot beat the goalkeeper and was touched over the line at the right-hand post by Emma Moolman.
Dragons went from strength to strength in the second half, mounting a number of fluent counterattacks reminiscent of the progressive hockey of last season. The longer the game went on the more Dragons took control. At the back Sophie Thomas typified the resolute Dragons defending with a composed goalline clearance. In midfield Lucy Hopgood, in a player of the match performance, displayed energy and invention. Up front Dragons always carried a goal threat with Caroline Wolfe in and around the attacking circle. The winning goal came midway through the second half when Wolfe’s penalty corner strike beat the goalkeeper and was touched in at the left-hand post by Pollyanna Watson.