Battling Draw For Norwich Norwich belatedly resumed the second half of their FA Premier Academy League season after recent weather postponements, and even this fixture only went ahead after a 7.30 a.m. pitch inspection, allowing the travelling party from Norfolk to arrive in good time for a noon kick off at Staplewood. With the weather holding, even with some surprising glimpses of sunshine, Norwich lined up on the sodden pitch, and with there first attack within the opening minute Danny Kelly was bundled over inside the Southampton penalty area. George Francomb, captaining the side, unfortunately blasted the spot kick over the crossbar. Three minutes later, Norwich conceded a penalty, and Jed Steer pulled out a tremendous diving save to his right with outstretched hands to deny Garyn Preen. But Southampton went in front on eleven minutes as the Norwich defence allowed Sam Hoskins to latch on to, and then slip the ball neatly past Jed Steer. On twenty minutes Sam Hoskins again got clear, and only a superb one handed save from Steer kept the Southampton striker from doubling his tally. Southampton were on a crest of a wave, dominating the play with Norwich digging in with David Stephens alongside his new center-half partner Theo Jones in the thick of things. Thirty three minutes in and Jed Steer had to deal with a swerving twenty yard strike. Two minutes later Jed Steer was again called into action and kept the ball out from Andy Robinson, with Sam Hoskins hammering the ball against the face of the crossbar from just six yards out as he followed up. After the resumption, Southampton eagerly got back into their momentum as Garyn Preen, wriggled his way into the Norwich penalty area from the right, to shoot just past the far upright. But on forty eight minutes Norwich advanced on the Southampton rearguard and with Josh Dawkin involved Danny Kelly was allowed to make the extra yard to firmly strike the ball low from around the edge of their penalty area beyond Jack Dovey to level the scores. Jed Steer was again called upon within seconds of the Norwich leveller with yet another stirring exhibition of goalkeeping of the highest standard. With Southampton looking set for a further goal, Norwich surprisingly took the lead on seventy two minutes with Jamar Lozar weaving through the mud to eventually draw Jack Dovey from his goal, before applying the perfect finale into the far corner. It set off scenes of jubilation from his team mates, as they raced back up the touchline. But the joy was short lived, as Southampton reacted straight from the restart and poured forward. Although Norwich desperately attempted to keep the slim lead, their efforts were in vain as Jordache Houser-Spooner netted after a melee around the penalty area, with Norwich appeals for offside waved aside. Norwich then had to survive the closing stages as Southampton closed in. Numerous free kicks were conceded on both sides of their penalty area with David Stephens, who had recovered early from a heavy fall in midfield, again the anchorman. To sour the match Alex Stephens was red carded shortly before the full time whistle by Referee Jacecko. Norwich had battled and will take heart from this result. For Southampton, it was there first draw at Staplewood this season. City Line-Up: Steer, Francomb, A. Stephens, Dawkin, Jones (77. Roberts), D. Stephens, Lozar, S. Kelly, D. Kelly, Clarke (84. Clunan), Gordon. Norwich Man of the Match: Steer.

Report courtesy of Rob Maynard.