Nick Davey, who returned from injury and scored at Arsenal on Saturday	Norwich City were only minutes away from inflicting defeat on Arsenal at Bell Lane, after twice taking the lead in a pulsating match played in blustery conditions. It was Norwich’s best performance of the season, and they played some superb football, which was matched by Arsenal’s and was a credit the FA Premier Academy League. Norwich had the welcome return of Nick Davey after injury and making his debut was goalkeeper Luke Emson from Cambridgeshire, brought in no doubt as cover for the ensuing FA Youth Cup campaign later in the month. Ricky Martin’s Norwich made a good start to the match and were unfortunate not to take the lead on eleven minutes. Luke Daley along the left delivered the ball behind the Arsenal defence, but Nick Davey could not apply the finishing touch. But on thirteen minutes Norwich went ahead after forcing a corner. Mark O’Toole swung the ball into the Arsenal penalty area and with the ball grazing the face of the crossbar before coming back into play Danny Kelly stooped low at the far post to head home.
On twenty one minutes Norwich could have added to their score as Luke Daley on full throttle burst into Arsenal’s penalty area and shot ferociously, James Shea gloved the ball away from goal. Norwich’s flow of one touch football and sensibly keeping the leather on the turf, almost provided dividends again on thirty six minutes as Jordan Yong, whom had replaced Korey Smith earlier on, forced another good save from the Arsenal goalkeeper with a fierce shot. With the forty five minutes played, and entering first half stoppage time, Arsenal got the break. A defence splitting ball found Jack Wilshere and who made a delicate chip from around the edge of the penalty area over the exposed goalkeeper Luke Emson who could only admire as the ball sailed over his head and dipped just under the Norwich crossbar to equalise. The second half was only minutes old when Tom Miller got his head to the ball from a cross and again the Arsenal goalkeeper was brought into action. But Arsenal upped their game throughout this half- The Norwich defence was led by Paul McLean, he made some important challenges in the penalty area to keep Norwich in the hunt. But on seventy six minutes Norwich added a second goal to take the lead. Luke Daley, who had a splendid match leading the line, got away down the right flank and made inroads before unleashing a shot which James Shea, did well to parry. With Nick Davey up with play, the ball fortunately rolled into his path around sixteen yards from goal and although a defender ran to cover the unattended goal Davey thrashed the ball home via the underside of the crossbar. The Norwich players were ecstatic….welcome back Nick. Moments later David Stephens came on for the goal scorer. Arsenal refused to buckle, and duly equalised on eighty five minutes, when an Arsenal raid ended up with Sanchez Watt equalising from around six yards. So with the final whistle, a game which Norwich should have won, ended up all square, ut it was a strong performance from the team that should be selected for the FA Youth Cup against Sunderland in their next competitive fixture and they should have ample confidence going to the Stadium of Light. City Line-Up: Emson, Cooper, O’Toole, Lathrope, McLean, D. Kelly, R. Kelly, Miller, Daley, Davey (Stephens 79), Smith (Yong 24).
Report courtesy of Rob Maynard. No match photography was allowed at Arsenal on Saturday, but the photo right shows a cold looking FONCY correspondent Rob Maynard in front of part of the impressive training complex.