Declan Rudd, given the Norwich captains armband for the day, led by example and produced goalkeeping qualities of the highest standard with umpteen saves that had the home spectators gruelling in what they were witnessing. For Norwich City, it must go down as one the best goalkeeping displays, without exaggeration, of the season. Tottenham had the best goals tally in the FA Premier Academy League at the start of play with seventy five netted and had been defeated only twice all season - once at the hands of Cardiff, in the valleys back in October, and the other most recently against Arsenal in the FA Youth Cup at the quarter final stages. Tottenham started with all out attacking play, looking to reach the Academy Play-Offs in May ... with Sunderland the most likely opponents. On five minutes Kasim played in Bostock out on the left wing who crossed to the feet of Oyenuga who placed the ball just past the post. Then on twelve minutes another cross, this time from the right and Mason connected and there was Rudd to bring out a superb diving one handed save. A minute later following a corner, the Norwich crossbar was grazed. Norwich were finding it difficult to come to terms with the pace of Tottenham, but eventually got their own passing game together, and trialist Jack Dean showed early composure with cross field balls. On eighteen minutes a cross by Byrne picked out Oyenuga, but he lifted the ball over the Norwich crossbar. On twenty eight minutes Rudd was called upon to save low from Byrne. A free kick on the half hour taken by Smith from twenty five yards screamed just over the frame of the goal. Minutes later Oyenuga, after a cross by Cox, brought out a class save by Rudd. But on thirty seven minutes a Norwich smash and grab followed. Lathrope in midfield weighted the ball out to the overlapping Daley on the left flank. He delivered the perfect ball into the Tottenham penalty area for Davey to get between defenders Caulker and Butcher to side foot the ball home from around eight yards. Again Norwich came under constant pressure at the start of the second half, but the defence of Stephens and the versatile Kelly, reverting to full back thwarted the aerial threats and along with Francomb and Brindley the defence was handling the situation with utmost concentration. Nevertheless the excellent Tottenham midfielder Parrett was pulling the strings in the center of the park and it seemed it would only a matter of time before they would level the scores. Rudd had to keep out another Tottenham effort this time by Bostock, and then on sixty four minutes produced a mouth-watering save of the season. Mason crossed from the right into the Norwich penalty area and with defenders unable to make a clearance there was Oyenuga just six yards from goal, drilling the ball on target, only for Rudd to perform heroics in getting down, and palming the ball up and over his crossbar. Rudd was again called into further action, with saves from Byrne, aiming for the bottom corner and substitute Kane who had his effort tipped over the crossbar. It was wave after wave, but Norwich, deploying five across the middle, looked like now holding on, despite the one valid effort on goal themselves. Norwich did spurn one final chance as Daley chased a hopeful interception from a back pass in the penalty area but Jansson smothered the ball to make amends for the error. With four minutes of stoppage time played, referee Mr Flanagan finally brought the game to a conclusion, with Norwich getting in all probability their Academy result of the season. Following 1—0 victories over Portsmouth and Southampton with this result the Canaries now find themselves with an outside chance of finishing Group A runners up. As for Declan Rudd, surely opportunity knocks and it can not be too long before he gets into the First Team. It would not surprise me at all if made a surprise inclusion into the England U21 Squad for the upcoming European Championships in Sweden, if only for the experience. City Line-Up: Rudd, Francomb, Brindley (61. Habergham), Dean, Kelly, Stephens, Davey, Lathrope, Daley (88. Clarke), Omoregie, Dawkin (68. Drmola). Subs Not Used: Steer, Reeves. Top Canary: Declan Rudd Both teams prior to kick-off paid tribute with a minutes silence in the Chigwell sunshine in remembrance of a Tottenham Hotspur official and of course Jimmy Neighbour whom had played for not only Tottenham Hotspur but Norwich and West Ham United.

Under-18 Match Action

Match Report by Rob Maynard, photos courtesy of John Landamore.