The Norwich City Academy Under-18 failed to find their true form in finishing fourth at the Bouligny International Tournament in France. The Under-18 Academy squad was joined by young professionals Steve Arnold, Michael Spillane and Bally Smart in a tournament for players born on or after 1.1.89. The competition ran over two days in the town of Bouligny, about 30 kilometres from the border with Luxembourg. Three group games were played twenty minutes each way with a deciding game over 30 minutes each way. City had the first game of the competition at 10am on Saturday morning against nearby FC Metz. After a less than perfect night's sleep and a late arrival at the ground for this early kick-off, City's preparation were less than perfect against a side who had travelled from home that morning. It was a less than inspiring game from both sides with Metz taking a fortunate lead on 17 minutes. Immediately afterwards Ross Kelly had the Canaries'best chance as he beat two defenders in the area before firing a shot at the Metz keeper. The second-half continued much in the same vein. Steve Arnold pulled off a good save from a free-kick and Michael Spillane went close a minute from time but City could not get back into the game and left themselves all to do in the rest of tournament. Photos from match v Metz.

Photos from match v Metz

The second match saw City face Danish side Hvidovre IF. Norwich needed to win the game to give themselves a realistic chance of topping the group and city certainly had the better of the opening exchanges. On 10 minutes the Danes took a surprise lead and City were again chasing the game. Five minutes later the Canaries were back on even terms. Bally Smart finishing after the keeper failed to hold a powerful Kris Renton header. City spent the rest of the game looking for the winner with Bally Smart always looking dangerous. The Danes still had their chances and Greg Matthews had to be aware to divert a chance over the bar. The match finished 1-1 and city earned themselves an extra point with a penalty shoot-out win (Lathrope, Spillane and Renton scoring from the spot). Photos from the match v Hvidovre.

Photos from the match v Hvidovre

Other results meant that in their final group game against FC Auxerre, City could no longer win the group. It was however still a "winner takes all" match with the winner taking second place in the group and playing for 3rd place in the competition. The Canaries went into the match without the influential Michael Spillane who picked up a knock against Hvidovre and wasn't risked any further in the tournament. City certainly started the game positively and on 10 minutes a great through ball from Mark O'Toole put Bally Smart through on goal but the chance came to nothing. O'Toole wasn't to be denied however and a minute later another fine ball found Kris Renton who made no mistake to put the Canaries 1-0 up. Auxerre pushed for the rest of the game but Norwich more than held then own in their best performance of the tournament. The match became disjointed with several unnecessary fouls and provocation from the opposition but City kept cool to hold on to the win. Photos from the match v Auxerre.

Photos from the match v Auxerre

After a sunny weekend, rain threatened as City took to the field for the 3rd Place Play-Off against Nancy-Lorraine. City had the better of the match but failed to come to terms with the lightening-quick Nancy strikers and on 21 minutes Nancy went 1-0 up on the counter-attack. Immediately afterwards a Kris Renton cross was deflected onto the French sides' crossbar. Nancy increased their lead on 47 minutes with another counter-attack and the match was as good as over when Ross Kelly pulled a goal back to see the game end in a 2-1 defeat. Photos from the match v Nancy.

Photos from the match v Nancy

Norwich will have been disappointed not to have played better and finished higher in the tournament, failing to come to terms with the continental referees and the short match-time. Nevertheless they showed their ability in patches and will undoubtedly have learnt from the experience.

Photo from Nel Contrucci

The City Squad: Arnold, Matthews, Jong, Lathrope, Spillane, McLean, Byrne, R. Kelly, Renton, Miller, Smart. O'Toole, Rudd, Daley, Cooper, Davey, D. Kelly, Smith. Staff: Ricky Martin (Academy Manager and coach), Darren Bloodworth (Assistant coach), Rod Dyer (Physio), Andrew Blofeld.

Date Opponents Result Scorers 18th Aug FC Metz 0-1   18th Aug Hvidovre IF 1-1 Bally Smart 19th August Auxerre 1-0 Kris Renton 19th Aug Nancy-Lorraine (3rd Place) 1-2 Ross Kelly Report and Photos from Paul Standley.