Difficult choice of matches with both 1st XI and Res XI having important games and playing locally.
The 1st XI following their draw on Monday evening were away to promotion rivals Southgate Olympic, they led by 2-0 at one time but were pegged back and the match ended in a draw. The game was played in difficult conditions with a strong wind blowing down pitch for the entire game. I think that too many poor results earlier in the season are going to cost us promotion. I watched the Res XI at EBOG needing a win to gain promotion, we started well and dominated the game but then a succession of errors found us 3-0 down and down to ten men due to a sending off for a second yellow card. Things got worse at half time when we had a second sending off. We were now kicking into a strong wind facing what seemed a hopeless task with 9 men, we had created this situation by stupid behaviour, but the team using the rolling substitutes rule to our advantage put up a magnificent display which led to them scoring the equaliser in the last minute from a free kick. This team has great spirit and some good players but they have to learn that whatever you think of the referee you gain nothing by disputing their decisions, in this case the ref seemed to be looking for trouble, particularly during the half time interval, your President did not escape this refs wrath and whilst I was trying to assist him I was called a comedian and an old man. At least one of those accusations is true, after that we shut up and scored three goals. This Saturday the 1st XI play at Old Stationers and the Res XI play NUFC Oilers at home who are our main rivals for the Championship any support will be most welcome. The 3rd XI probably lost their chance of promotion losing 4-3 to Old Garchonians and all our other teams have completed their fixtures. Time to start planning for next season as I have said many times before a good skipper makes the team so hopefully we have some good people prepared to put their hands up.
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This year's Golf Day will take on a slight change.
Martin Earle our long established Veteran has become Captain of Hadley Wood Golf Club, so to show our support for his tenure, Nigel has arranged to hold the Norsemen Golf Day at Hadley Wood GC on Thursday 30th April 2015 with a start of 1.30pm for 18 holes followed by Dinner & Prize Giving. Anyone interested in taking part should contact Nigel Chamberlain by email at: nigel@lordberni.wanadoo.co.uk My mood in writing the Presidents patter during the season has varied, beginning with new season optimism, followed by mid season despair when we were struggling to field a competitive First team, to end of season with the return of optimism.
Without going overboard there is a good feel to the club at present, players are beginning to recognise what a good setup we have and using the club more. We still have a long way to go but with a few more new workers recruited to help the excellent team we have at present, then a return to our glory days will be possible. On the playing side the 1st XI continued their tremendous run with a 2-0 away win against Old Blues. The Res XI scored a last minute winning goal to clinch an important away win against Actonians Assoc, they are not quite there yet but are certainly hot favourites for both the Championship and Promotion. The 3rd XI had no game and the 4th XI won their last game 6-1 against Owens, unfortunately it looks as though they will be pipped for promotion for the second consecutive season. The 5th and 6th XIs have finished their fixtures and the 7th XI lost their last league game 4-3 to Broomfield. Two firsts this week, on Monday night the 1st XI play our first competitive league game under flood lights with a game against Old Esthameians at the Ford Sports Club, secondly after at least 80 years we will not be touring to Deal this Easter. This has been kept going by Chunky for many years, he has served his time and there is nobody to take his place, a sad end to a great tradition but thanks to Ian for all his previous work. The Annual Dinner will be held of Friday 24th April 2015, see the noticeboard under News on this site for details of how to book your place.
Another day of windy dry conditions making the pitches bumpy and difficult to play on.
The 1st XI continued their good run with a narrow 3-2 win over bottom of the table AFC Oldsmiths, they played very well much better than their league position suggested and we could be considered to be fortunate to take three points. We gained no ground on our promotion rivals but all we can do is keep on winning and hope for slip ups from our rivals. The Reserves had a good win 3-1 against promotion rivals EBOG leaving them in a strong position to gain promotion. It is pleasing that after some problems with this group of players they have turned into a good side on the field and enjoy the after match sociability, a plus mark for the Committee for perservering. The 3rd XI lost away to Alleyn Old Boys 2-0 and promotion is not looking the certainty of a few weeks ago. The 4th XI returned.to winning ways with 2-0 win over Broomfield, keeping them in the promotion race. The 6th and 7th both had good away wins against Old Lyonians 6-3 and AP 4-3. My plea for more help from old Norsemen seems to have fallen on deaf ears again on Saturday we had the grand total of three spectators watching the top two teams who were both at home this is derisory when we compare ourselves with Winchmore Hill we must be doing something wrong has anybody any ideas. This Sunday we wish our Under 13s every success in their AFA Cup Final, 1.30pm at Allbury Ride, Waltham Cross. Please give as much support to these young lads as possible. GOOD LUCK BOYS!!! |