Joe Clark scored a 25-yard consolation goal

Three second half goals by Southampton secured the points (two of them in the space of three minutes) undid Norwich’s hard work in containing the hosts and The Canaries could feel unlucky they did not take the lead when a post intervened before the scoring had opened. A dull morning over the skyline of Southampton for this noon kick off never troubled Norwich especially when they forced two early corners. As it was, Southampton’s Oscar Gobern had the first real chance of the match on sixteen minutes as he drilled the ball towards goal, but Jed Steer saved at his near post.

On twenty three minutes, a very good opportunity for David Stephens, captaining the Norwich side, as he intercepted the ball in the Norwich half and went on a driving run through midfield, before laying the ball off to Danny Kelly who had created room for himself just inside the Southampton penalty area. However Kelly’s shot on goal lacked power and Andrej Pernecky saved comfortably. With the half drawing to a close, Southampton’s Daryl McLean got clean through with Jed Steer coming to Norwich’s rescue diving at his opponents feet, and as the ball rebounded into the path of Oscar Gobern the Norwich goalkeeper again did enough to somehow earn a goal kick. Norwich’s Kenny Reeves on fifty minutes may have netted, but put the ball wide of the far post. On fifty three minutes a left wing cross from the dangerous Oscar Gobern was met with a glancing header from Tom Dunford which cleared the crossbar with Jed Steer also up for the ball the ball. On sixty five minutes, Garyn Preen, would have scored, only for the brilliance of the Norwich keeper who produced the save of the match from a powerful effort. Norwich rallied, and broke into their hosts territory, with Danny Kelly firing in on goal, which Andrej Pernecky did well to save, but the lose ball was subsequently charged down on at least two occasions as Norwich tried to net. Dario Dumic stepped up to take the resulting free kick, from which he caressed the ball over the makeshift line of Southampton defenders, only to see the ball elude all , kiss the inside of the post, and rebound across goal to safety. On seventy minutes Southampton earned a corner out on the left and finally broke the deadlock. Oscar Gobern sent the ball deep into the Norwich penalty area , from where was it was headed back across goal by Callum McNish for Garyn Preen to force the ball into the Norwich netting from six yards. Two minutes later Southampton increased their lead. Bobby Scott, now on for Southampton, made inroads on goal. Jed Steer again did well to keep the ball out, as it squirmed across the penalty area, but Tony Garrod followed up to find the net from the edge of the box. David Stephens almost pulled a goal back for Norwich on seventy nine minutes when Sam Habergham found him at the back post, but the midfielder was just off target. Eighty seven minutes on the clock and Southampton wrapped up the points as Jed Steer parried away a stinger of a shot, but the ball fell kindly for Jordace Spooner who simply applied the finishing touch. Norwich kept on battling and substitute Joe Clark had his moment on the stroke of full-time. A goal to treasure for sometime! Only on the field a matter of minutes as a substitute, Joe collected the ball in the Southampton half, bypassed a defender, and with only one option available to him sent a twenty five yard dipping shot over Andrej Pernecky to bulge the back of the net and make the score somewhat more respectable. City Line-Up: Steer, Francomb, Gordon, Stephens, Dumic, Habergham, Davey, Brindley (Ball 75), Reeves (Clark 82), Kelly, Dawkin. Subs not used: Grieveson. Report courtesy of Rob Maynard.