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In a tremendous second half fight back, Norwich City came back from two goals behind at the interval, to claim a share of the points with a stunning equaliser from around thirty yards out from David Stephens just two minutes from time. This came after an earlier goal from Danny Kelly had reduced the deficit. Arsenal, the reigning FA Premier Academy League champions and not to mention also FA Youth Cup holders, started the morning on top of Group A, equal on points with Norwich City with only goal difference separating the two sides. The autumn chill at Bell Lane was in abundance as Arsenal showed the qualities throughout the match that had seen them clinch two honours last season at this level. Arsenal showed early signs of domination as Steer made a timely save, diving to his right on fourteen minutes from Aneke. Following an Arsenal corner Frimpong shot wide of goal. On twenty minutes Norwich allowed a direct run through midfield by Frimpong who eventually went to ground following a Norwich challenge. From the free kick involving Deacen and Frimpong the latter player's shot was well blocked. Another Arsenal effort, this time from Freeman, was further halted. Norwich’s best chance of the half came on twenty seven minutes. A corner from Habergham was met by a David Stephens header and Kelly, causing a nuisance amongst defenders, then applied what appeared a finishing touch, only for Dunne to save. On thirty seven minutes Arsenal took the lead from a corner which came as the result of a goal line clearance from Brindley. As the ball came in from the flag kick, Norwich defenders could not deal with it, the ball eluded Steer and Freeman had the easiest of tasks by prodding the ball into the net. Just three minutes later, a lapse of concentration by Brindley, allowed Afobe to seize on the loose ball in midfield, and he burst into the penalty area before shooting past Steer. With forty five minutes on the clock, it was Steer who produced a terrific diving save to keep out a fierce rising effort from Afobe. Norwich City’s response in the second half was second to none as they dug in and opened the game up, with David Stephens pushed into a midfield role following substitutions. Prior to this change Steer was called upon to make a breathtaking one handed save from Freeman. Norwich were clawing their way back, a Dumic header rebounded back into play from an Arsenal upright following a Habergham corner, and then Kelly nipped into the penalty area, with assistance from David Stephens and Dawkin, only for his side-footed effort to be foiled by Dunne’s outstretch left hand. Two minutes later Kelly was rewarded when he latched onto to Drmola’s short pass inside the Arsenal penalty area to shoot pass Dunne to net. On seventy two minutes a rampaging run along the left flank by Evina, picked out Ozyakup, and Gordon just did enough in clearing the ball away from goal. On eighty seven minutes one of the goals of the season, as Norwich made further inroads into Arsenal’s half of the field, where David Stephens, in the middle of the park, brought the ball under control and from thirty yards out turned and then hammered the leather beyond Dunne into the far top corner of the netting to equalise and earn a very valuable away point for Norwich. City Line-Up: Steer, Brindley, Habergham, Osemwegie, Dumic, D. Stephens, Clarke (Drmola 46), Ball (Gordon 61), Kelly, Oakley (Nwaogu 85), Dawkin. Subs not used: Matthews, A. Stephens. Norwich Man of the match: David Stephens. |
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Report courtesy of Rob Maynard. |