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After their superb home win over West Ham at Colney last week City's Academy side failed to keep the momentum going when then slid to a disappointing defeat at the hands of Charlton at their Sparrows Lane training ground. David Williams made a few changes to last weeks starting line up, the most noticeable of which was no Chris Martin - last weeks hat-trick hero - who along with Patrick Bexfield looks likely to be starting in this weeks reserve team fixture against Stevenage Borough at Carrow Road. With Bally Smart and Kris Renton on the bench it was Seb Muddel and Kurtis Byrne who lead the Canaries attack, but it was the home side which started the game in the driving seat with Kieran Murtagh going close with a volley. Moments later the same player was denied by a great tackle from City full-back Mark O'Toole. |
 City look to attack the ball |
 Steve Arnold can not stop Charlton taking the lead |
City might have had an early shout for a penalty, but after Charlton Keeper Joe Woolley had appeared to grab Luke Daley's ankle the City striker was maybe a little too honest and kept on his feet. City's best chance of the game so far came when Muddel laid the ball back for Ross Kelly and his 20-yard effort was only just over the crossbar. Almost on the stroke of half-time it appeared that City had broken the deadlock when Byrne lifted the ball over the keeper's head but a covering Taylor Sinfield managed to scamper back and clear the ball off the line. It was however not the final piece of action of the half, as deep in stoppage time The Addicks were awarded a free kick from which captain Grant Basey curled the ball around the wall to beat Steve Arnold down to his right. |
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Arnold was quickly called into action after the break when he made a good save to deny Jon Kurrant but Arnold will feel he should have done better on 50 minutes when he failed to hold onto a free kick allowing Mark Staunton to stab home the loose ball. City might have pulled a goal back after a good break down the left wing by Luke Daley but after cutting inside his shot failed to hit the target. With 71 minutes gone Charlton sealed all three points when a sweeping move down the right flank was converted at the near post by Donovan Simmonds. Williams introduced both Smart and Renton and while they caused the Charlton defence a few problems in the closing stages there was only going to be one winner. |
 Gareth Matthews goes in for the tackle |
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City Line-Up: Arnold, Matthews, O'Toole, McLean, Quaye, Kelly, Daley, Miller, Byrne [Smart 71], Muddel [Renton 71], Lathrope. Sub Not Used: Eames. Top Canary: Ross Kelly. |
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Further Action From The Match
Ross Kelly was City's Man of the Match
Damon Lathrope sticks close to his man
Paul McLean keeps close to his man
Seb Muddel in action
Rod Dyer treats Gareth Matthews for a back injury
Mark O'Toole
Luke Daley goes up for the ball
Tom Miller goes into the referee's book