At TORBAY OVER EASTER 2017 -– Report sent in by Jeevan Chagger

 

Good Friday:

Normans 3-3 Stags

Goalscorers: Jeevan x2, James x1

Normans started off their Easter tour with an early fixture against Stags (locally known as West Brom). As per tradition in recent years, Normans dressed up in fancy dress for the flag raising in Harry Potter themed costumes. 

The game got off to a lively start with both teams fielding players in fancy dress. Normans started off on the front foot with several attacks and good wing play. Stags pressed but on many occasions were either forced away from goal or well saved by Paul. Normans would be rewarded only 10 minutes into their tour as Jacob received a pass down the right wing to square a pass to Jeevan who got the first goal. The spirited nature of their attacks would be rewarded again with James Livingston (not 'Livingstone') squaring another good ball to Jeevan who again found the net. 

2-0 the half time lead, this looked like a game the Normans would go on to win easily. But much like the season, a two goal lead was never enough. The Stags pressed forward in good number and were gifted a goal early into the second half to halve the deficit. A through ball from Mat Bartlett would find James who slotted the ball to make it 3-1. Under a little pressure, Stags pulled two goal back before the end to settle the game 3-3 in the festival’s first hockey game of the weekend. 

A thank you to Neil Toye for umpiring. 

 

Normans 2-1 Odd Fellows

Goalscorers: Zach x1, James x1

As per another tradition, after some 4 hours at the local pub, Normans faced another regular opposition, the festival hosts Odd Fellows. 

The game again got off to a good start for the Normans, the youthful attack and wingers of Kathryn, Grace and Noah causing a few problems down the wings with good runs, exchange of passes and lots of energy. Odd Fellows, as per, were reliant on their 'main man' James Carter who tried his best to cause troubles to the Normans defence. Great team play amongst the midfield led to few opportunities which were taken well. A great ball to Zach Jarvis saw him set up Noah, whose attempt on goal was worthy of a goal but hit the post and spun back out, only for Zach to ensure it over the line from close range. 

Another great play this time from Alex saw Normans win a short corner, from which James struck powerfully into the bottom corner. Again, another lead into the half time break with some concern it would diminish over the next half. 

Odd Fellows tried their best to get into the attacking 23 but we're regularly blocked by Paul in goal, John Skidmore and Mathew. They were gifted a consolation goal as Normans went on to beat them 2-1.

A thank you to Rob McGuigan for umpiring the game. 

 

Easter Saturday:

Midwives 4-2 Normans 

Goalscorers: Jeevan x1, Noah x1

Saturday morning and Normans played another early game, this time to arrive pitch side only to find it wasn't yet open. Soon after, the game got under was some 10 minutes late. Normans struggled to really settle into the game early on with the Midwives playing the ball well around the midfield and getting into many good goal-scoring positions. 

Several good saves from Paul early on ensured that Normans would go 10 minutes until they conceded their first goal. This would be the first of few as the opposition took advantage of our slow start to end the half 3-0 up. 

An early attack from the Normans saw Noah get a great goal from a through ball from Alex. The Normans were to enjoy more delight in attacking positions with Martin finding himself in much space on the right half. His persistence was to pay off as he carried the ball into the attacking 23 only to shoot at the keeper; though Midwives made a mess of the clearance giving Jeevan the chance to make the game 3-2 going into the final 10 minutes. As Normans were attacking and in search of a hopeful equaliser, they would be pegged back again with a late goal from the opposition, the game ending 4-2.

Thank you to Zach Jarvis for umpiring the game. 

 

Normans 0-2 Esandars

This would be the only game in which Normans wouldn't score this festival. A lack of opportunities in this would not to be the reason. 

Esandars started off brightly with many opportunities and many well worked attacks. Normans were also very strong in their own respect, forcing out attacks and setting up counter opportunities where possible. 

Many good tackles were also mixed with 50:50 decisions, both teams giving their all to win the ball. It would be Esandars who would score first from open play, slotting home at the back post. They would then go on to score from a short corner, after several good saves from Paul. 

Normans soon found their feet in the game, setting up many chances, Martin finding Lily on the by-line who fed the ball back into the 'D' but the strikers were outnumbered by the defence. Lily herself had two good opportunities where she tried to sneak the ball into the near post but Esandars would go on to keep a clean sheet. 

A thank you to Jeevan Chagger for umpiring the game. 

 

Easter Sunday:

Pink Panthers 5-1 Normans 

Goalscorers: Jeevan x1

The final day would be one of good weather and very (very) tired legs. 

Normans would play Pink Panthers there who fielded 11 outfield players and no keeper. One would think that it would make it easier to score and get another good result.  Another good result it was, for the Pink Panthers!

Normans seemed not to have turned up in the first half with tired legs, unchallenged 50:50s and letting past 5 goals all from good play. Pink Panthers controlled the game well with lots of good play from their youngsters and adults. 

A half time team talk was much needed and the message was to play as a team, in formation and to stop the goals flooding in. Normans played a much better half with few opportunities. Jacob, Sarah and Zach combined well to find Jeevan who got the only Norman goal of the game. The attacking intent would lead to more opportunities but Jeevan's reverse hit the post and went wide. 

A thank you to Jon Smith for umpiring the game. 

 

Normans 1-2 Villians

Goalscorers: Noah x1

The final game would be one where both teams were evenly matched. Both teams were good at retaining possession but often lost the ball when attempting shots at goal. Grace and Lily stayed out wide for Zach, Jeevan and Alex to find them in spaces. Several attempts from Kathryn and Neal were also unable to break the lock that seemed to guard the Villians goal. Villians would go 1-0 in the first half. 

Normans would continue to attack and it would pay off when Alex found Noah, who took a shot and the ball rolled into the goal as a very drunk Villians keeper attempted to kick the ball but ended up falling backwards. Paul would the go on to making a save from a penalty flick after the restart. The game looked as though it would end 1-1 but Villians would score with the final touch after a scoop beat Paul who made a valiant effort to save only for the ball to still make its way I to the net. 2-1 the final score. 

A thank you to Jon Smith for umpiring the game. 

 

The Normans ended the tournament with 1 win, 1 draw and 4 losses. 

Goal scorers were: Jeevan Chagger x4, James Livingston x2, Noah Jarvis x2, Zach Jarvis x1

The Bill Stickles cup was won by the Esandars for most goals and the Odd Fellows won the Redcliffe cup for Fair Play. 

The Normans Players' Player of the Tour went to Paul Jarvis who did a great job in goal throughout the festival. 

The Normans party saw 45 people turn out in good spirit to play, support and enjoy the lively weather, hockey and company of others. It was an enjoyable weekend for all families who turned out. A thank you to the Redcliffe Hotel for the hospitality at the Festival HQ. Normans look forward to attending in 2018 as they begin to plan costumes for their visit.