McLOUGHLIN KEEPS OUT NORWICH Norwich City rounded off their FA Premier Academy season with a high profile performance at Ipswich, but came away pointless. After Norwich netted an early penalty, Ipswich had just a few chances, from which they equalised and then stole a winner following a debatable penalty late in the game. Although Norwich played to their potential, they were thwarted by an excellent Ipswich goalkeeper in McLoughlin who brought out a chain of superb saves. With the nearby Church Bells sounding and plenty of spring sunshine in Suffolk, Norwich made early advances on the Ipswich goal, and on just eleven minutes Referee Crysell awarded the Canaries a penalty after Ipswich were penalised on the edge of their own penalty area, with no real opportunity in the offering. Francomb stepped up to take the penalty kick, and steered the ball inside McLoughlin's left post. On fourteen minutes a Stephens cross from the left picked out Dobbs and he shot from outside the penalty area, taking a deflection for a corner. Two minutes later a dribbling run from Drmola, bypassing three challenges saw him shoot for goal, but the shot lacked his usual power. On eighteen minutes Lavery pulled clear of the Norwich rearguard and rounded Matthews to cooly slip the ball into an empty net. This lifted Ipswich for a period but Norwich were still moving the ball around the park to seek a further opportunity. At the interval Ricky Martin brought on substitutes Dawkin and Sam Kelly. On forty Seven minutes good ball work from Osemwegie found Dawkin, and his low effort was kept out by McLouglin's legs. Three minutes later Sam Kelly picked out Ball and his directed header just missed the goal. Norwich were creating chances, but the finish was eluding them. Ball played in Drmola, who took strides before hammering the ball on target for McLoughlin to make a blinding save. Norwich were causing mayhem in the Ipswich penalty area and only desperate defending prevented Norwich scoring from a corner. Ipswich then rallied and on seventy seven minutes were awarded a penalty to the astonishment of the Norwich contingent. Matthews came and spread himself to narrow the angle, got a glove on the ball as Lavery hit the deck, and for the second time in the match Referee Crysell awarded a penalty kick. Lavery's penalty kick was well saved, but the Ipswich forward follow up to net the rebound. On eighty minutes Dawkin collected the ball out on the left from a Francomb free-kick before making in roads and letting fly from thirty yards with McLoughlin producing the save of match by palming the ball way. Norwich were still not finished, with time running out. Sam Kelly followed Dawkin’s effort, with another shot on goal, with McLoughlin again equalling previous saves. This was a typical good East Anglia derby and Norwich may well feel robbed that they did not come away with something. The result will leave Norwich in all probability finishing fourth in the table. City Line-Up: Matthews, Brindley, Gordon, Osemwegie, Francomb, D. Kelly, Oakley, Dobbs (S. Kelly 46), Drmola, Ball, A. Stephens (Dawkin 46). Subs Not Used: Clunan, Clarke, McKenzie. Norwich Man of the Match: Johnbull Osemwegie.

Match Report from Rob Maynard, photos courtesy John Landamore.