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Norwich City finally overcame their away day blues with a rousing second half, that resulted in four goals, and with them three deserved points, in gusty conditions at Sparrows Lane. Both teams coming into this match had fine League wins the previous week over Chelsea and Southampton respectively. The heart of the Norwich defence was reunited with David Stephens and Dario Dumic, both formidable in last season’s Youth Cup, showing a more resolute bonding throughout this encounter. With five goals conceded in both of their last previous two excursions, Norwich rolled up sleeves and went about their mission. On fourteen minutes a neat pass found Kelly inside the penalty area, and although he attempted to bypass Binks in the Charlton goal, the latter diverted the ball for a corner. Twenty three minutes and Osemwegie held up the ball in midfield and then slipped it to Kelly, only for the Irishman to shoot wide of the right hand post as he bore down on goal. The Norwich midfield was driving forward at every opportunity, led by Francomb who showed utmost determination, especially in winning the ball. With Charlton taking too long to clear following a Habergham corner, a Dumic downward header forced Carter to clear from his goal line. On thirty seven minutes, Norwich really should have been in front. A Habergham left wing low cross saw Kelly racing in to poke the ball goalwards from close range, only for Binks to stand his ground and the ball rebound from his chest. Norwich now played with the advantage of the elements and took just eight second half minutes to open the scoring. A quickly delivered ball from midfield, and there was Francomb, like a flash of lightning, to strike home from just inside the penalty area past Binks into the far corner. Sixty nine minutes, and the best worked goal from Norwich of which Ricky Martin will have been proud. Numerous passes from midfield, along the right flank, back and forth, then the killer delivery by Dawkin inside the crowded penalty area into Kelly who finished off to score. Norwich were not finished and on seventy five minutes Dawkin fired in a powerful effort which Binks parried away, but substitute Drmola, only on the pitch literally for a minute or so, seized on the rebound. Norwich were then penalised towards the conclusion of the match as they carelessly conceded a penalty which Jenkinson stroked home past Loveday. On eighty-seven minutes a further Habergham corner brought confusion in the Charlton ranks and somehow the ball managed to have just crossed the whitewash under the crossbar off defender Anderson, with the referee’s assistant confirming with the referee in awarding the goal to Norwich. In the dying seconds another goal as Charlton reduced the deficit when Warren looped a header out of arms reach for Loveday. But Norwich will have enjoyed the journey back to Norfolk with this splendid victory. City Line-Up: Loveday, Brindley, Gordon (A. Stephens 84), Osemwegie, Dumic, D. Stephens (Clark 74), Dawkin, Francomb, Kelly, Oakley (Drmola 74), Habergham. Subs not used: Matthews, Nwaogu. |
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Report courtesy of Rob Maynard. |