|
City might have come away from Chelsea's training ground at Cobham empty-handed but that was not a true reflection on the game as City had the upper hand for long periods and had it not been for a defensive blunder they could have taken at least a point from what was a very enjoyable encounter. With Chris Martin joining the first team on what was to be a wasted journey to Lancashire, it was Seb Muddel who lead the attack for David Williams side. It was good to see Tom Miller lining up in a five-man midfield as the first year scholar recovered from that worrying head injury he had sustained a couple of weeks ago in the reserve team fixture against Spurs at Carrow Road. |
 An early scare for City as this free-kick hits the bar |
 Paul McLean with double goalscorer Morten Nielson |
It was the home side who were first out of the blocks with City fortunate to escape in the first couple of minutes when a free kick from Sergio Tejera came crashing back off the City crossbar before Bally Smart cleared away the loose ball. Next it was the turn of Sam Hurrell to try his luck but Steve Arnold made a comfortable save. The Canaries saw their first attack of the game almost lead to the opening goal when Patrick Bexfield raced clear of the defence to round keeper Rhys Taylor and with the goal begging from just a few yards out the City midfielder somehow struck the crossbar with his effort. Smart was causing the Blues defence all sorts of problems down the left flank and it was from one of his crosses that Jamie Eames saw his shot blocked. With fifteen minutes on the clock it was the home side who opened the scoring when the lively Morten Nielson fired in a shot under Arnold. |
|
City continued to battle away but on 30 minutes they found themselves two goals adrift after defensives mistakes from first Alvin Quaye and then Arnold allowed Nielson to slide in his and Chelsea's second from the tightest of angles. With just five minutes left to go before the break Norwich pulled a goal back when Taylor spilled a shot from Damon Lathrope allowing Muddel to quickly pick up the loose ball and lift it over the keeper. Shortly after the break Lathrope again tried his luck from distance, this time Rhys managed to hold onto the shot. Moments later however he was relieved when a defender was on hand to clear a Muddel shot off the line. |
 Seb Muddel scored City's only goal |
 Mark O'Toole make the tackle |
Both sides introduced their allocation of three substitutes and both teams might have added to the scoring through an introduced player. First it was the turn of Tom Taiwo who found himself completely unmarked at the far post but he could only send his header onto the crossbar. Then in stoppage time Luke Daley had the opportunity to give City a share of the spoils but with just Taylor to beat he fired his shot over the bar much to the disappointment of fellow substitute Kurtis Byrne who was completely unmarked on the penalty spot. City Line-Up: Arnold, Matthews, O'Toole, McLean, Quaye [Kelly 77], Bexfield, Eames [Daley 77], Lathrope, Muddel [Byrne 77] Miller, Smart. Subs Not Used: Rudd, Yong. Top Canary: Tom Miller. |
|
Whilst the U18's were unlucky not to get something out of the game it was different story for the Under-16's. Under the guidance of coach Ian Thornton the younger Academy side to travel to Chelsea produced a super display to come from a goal adrift to take all three points with goals from David Cooper and Manny Richardson. |
 The Under-16s celebrate David Cooper's goal |
|
|
|
 Referee Mr. Moran puts Tom Miller in the book |
 Alvin Quaye |
 Patrick Bexfield finished the game playing at centre-half |
 Rod Dyerr attends to Tom Miller |
 Steve Arnold makes the save |
 The new Chelsea training ground is taking shape |
|
Pictures and Report from John Landamore. |