Charlton Athletic Training Ground

Kris Renton gave Norwich a share of the points in claiming the equalising goal after Charlton had surprisingly taken an early lead on an overcast morning at Sparrows Lane. Norwich started well, with the majority of the side due to face Manchester City in next weeks FA Youth Cup, but were caught out in the ninth minute when a defence splitting ball by Liam Bellamy left Tamer Tuna racing into the Norwich penalty area to hammer the ball inside Declan Rudd’s near post. However the lead only lasted five minutes.

On fourteen minutes, following a Norwich corner by Sam Habergham, which was cleared only as far as the edge of the penalty area, Damon Lathrope fired in a low shot, which en-route deflected through bodies. Kris Renton must have sneaked a touch to deceive defenders, with the ball, humming like a spinning top, finally entering the corner of the net, with Charlton goalkeeper Harry Lee unable to grab the ball. Kris Renton duly accepted the congratulations as they returned to the centre circle, to restart the game. Norwich with determination played the ball around the park, and counter attacked on numerous occasions as the game gathered pace, especially through Josh Dawkin and Tom Adeyemi. But Norwich were also kept on their heels with Dario Dumic and David Stephens in defence, whilst Charlton midfielder Harry Pell was starting to pull the strings in middle. Charlton’s wingers Liam Bellamy and Ben Davison also looked dangerous, when attacking from both flanks. Norwich again at the start of the second half started more positively and slim chances from Danny Kelly and Kris Renton went by the wayside early on. On sixty seven minutes, the overlapping George Francomb, latched onto a short pass from Danny Kelly inside the penalty area, but lifted his shot over the Charlton crossbar. Seven four minutes and Norwich through Danny Kelly, gathered the ball out on the right flank, and crossed low into the six yard area and Harry Lee allowed the ball to slip from his grasp only to be saved by his defenders. But Charlton on seventy eight minutes through defender Yado Mambo, whom had been outstanding in the Charlton defence, managed to rampage up field from defence, and found himself in the Norwich half, before finally releasing the ball to Lewis Perkins who sped away before rifling the ball on target, for which Declan Rudd made a superb save to his right, palming the ball away. Norwich throughout had plenty of possession but could not get that decisive winner, even when in the last minute, Josh Dawkin headed the ball into the path of Korey Smith charging into the Charlton penalty area who blasted the ball just past Harry Lee’s left post. City Line-Up: Rudd, Francomb (Clarke 75), Habergham (Omoregie 60), Lathrope, Dumic, Stephens, Dawkin, Smith, Renton (Davey 66), Kelly, Adeyemi. Unused Subs: Steer, Reeves. Top Canary: David Stephens. Report and photo courtesy of Rob Maynard.