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Despite being on top for long periods, Norwich could find no way past Matej Jones in the Southampton goal as the Saints took all three points with the only goal of game on Saturday at Colney. With a little over a week to go before City travel to Fratton Park for the F.A.Youth Cup match, it was not surprising that Pompey had sent their youth team manager to Colney to cast an eye over proceedings as the match got underway. The Canaries created the first opening with Kris Renton seeing a shot blocked after good work from his strike partner Chris Martin. At the other end Steve Arnold had to come quickly off his line to save at the feet of Saints' giant striker Cedric Baseya before the action quickly switched back to the other end where Renton was foiled again, this time Jones saving the City striker's header. |
 Alvin Quaye had a bruising encounter with Cedric Baseya |
 Kris Renton had this goal disallowed |
With twelve minutes on the clock City were somewhat unfortunate to find themselves a goal adrift when Gareth Matthews blocked a shot from Baseya only for the ball to fall kindly to Lloyd James who fired the ball beyond the reach of Arnold into the far corner. City almost hit back straight from the restart when Martin was put through, but his shot was saved by Jones. Jones again came to Southampton's rescue when he turned a 25-yard effort from Damon Lathrope round the post. From the resulting corner Renton headed the ball home, only for referee Mr. George to signal, rather harshly, a foul on the keeper. Jordan Yong, making his first home start of the season, was turning in a Man Of The Match performance as he forced Jones into another save, while just before the break Jamie Eames saw a shot go across the goalmouth after he was set up by Martin. |
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Paul McLean was quickly called into action at the start of the second half when he blocked a shot by Baseya, while at the other end Jones was sent scampering across his goal line as Lathrope sent in a shot that was only inches wide of the target. Renton will be disappointed that he failed to hit the target with a header from an Eames cross as City looked for an equaliser. Baseya was guilty of missing an open goal for the visitors while Martin was foiled twice in quick succession: the first saw a shot deflected wide and for the second Jones came quickly off his line to block the shot. Williams introduced both Seb Muddel and Luke Daley, but it was to no avail, indeed Southampton should have added a second ten minutes from time when Oscar Gobera somehow headed over when he was unmarked inside the six-yard box. |
 Man of the Match Jordan Yong |
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City Line-Up: Arnold, Matthews, O'Toole, McLean, Quaye, Bexfield, Eames [Daley 77], Lathrope, Renton, Martin, Yong [Muddel 77]. Subs Not Used: Smart, Miller. Top Canary: Jordan Yong. |
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Further Action From The Match
Patrick Bexfield
Mark O'Toole up against Oscar Gobera
Steve Arnold takes a clean catch
Paul McLean keeps tabs on Saints striker Cedric Baseya
Gareth Matthews
Chris Martin
Chris Martin with physio Rod Dyer