Norwich City II take title as rivals Broadland slip up
Norwich City's seconds face the camera after clinching the Empresa Norfolk League Premier Division title. Picture: Norwich City HC - Credit: Archant
Norwich City's second team secured the Premier Division title as they won their final fixture while rivals Broadland slipped up.
The two sides went into the last of weekend of the season separated by just goal difference, with City having a slight advantage.
The morning leaders were given a tough game by Norwich Dragons IV before winning 2-0 and as it turned out that was enough, with Broadland suffering only their second defeat of the campaign, 2-1 at Loddon.
Two first half goals from player-of-the-match Hannah Jarvis secured City the three points.
They struck with their first meaningful attack as captain Rosie Humphrey, in her final game in charge, won a short corner. She dragged the ball to Ange Hindle at the top who stopped it for Ellie Brine and although her effort was well saved Jarvis was there to stick away the rebound.
Soon after, the scoreline increased to 2-0 with almost a carbon copy of
the first goal, except this time it was excellent work down the right from Becky Gaffney and Milly Brown that won the short corner.
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Things might have been different for Broadland had their early pressure produced a goal but it wasn't to be and Loddon scored twice before, with 30 seconds remaining, Lydia Lawrence got the goal the visitors' efforts deserved.
Norwich Dragons III finished third, nine points behind Broadland, after losing their final game 2-0 at City IV, for whom Maddie Anthony and Amelia Barclay were on target. Keeper Kristina Smyth was player-of-the-match for Dragons.
City thirds, who gave a debut to Ellyn Roberts, finished fourth despite a 2-0 defeat at Harleston Magpies IV.
There was also an exciting end to the season in Division One, with the top two going head to head on the final weekend. Leaders Lowestoft Railway visited Dragons V and a 2-2 draw left the positions unchanged, with Diss having to settle for third after drawing 3-3 with Magpies V.
Broadland II were too strong for relegated Thetford, winning 9-1 (Lydia Lawrence 3, Danni Parke 2, Carre Varley, Abi Dennison, Nikki Baker, Sophie White) while Division Three champions Broadland III won 3-0 at Hornets (Shaz Weeks 2, Dinky Topley).