For the second week in a row a good performance from City's Academy side yielded little reward as they went down to Charlton at Colney, with both the visitors goals coming after some poor defending. With next months F.A.Youth Cup clash against Bolton just three weeks away Sammy Morgan fielded what was to all intents and purpose an Under-18 side, the only over age player being Greg Crane. This saw a start for Matthew Watts and a return to action after a lengthy spell out injured for Jake Osborne. Nicky Howell started where he had left of the previous week with some darting runs down the right flank, although the Canaries best opening in the first 15 minutes came down the left with Osborne teeing up Adam Smith, who brought out a good save from Rob Elliott in the Addicks' goal.

Robert Eagle tries to put the ball through to Danny Crow

Olly Willis, who went close for City in the dying minutes

Crane, who always fancies his chances from distance, tried one from 30 yards that was not that far off target. Although the visitors rarely got sight of the City goal, it was they who opened the scoring just 6 minutes before the break. Joe Lewis did well to parry the initial shot, but with the ball bobbling around the City 6 yard box and the defence unable to get in a telling clearance, it left Sam Lloyd the simplest of tap-ins. Lewis, who joined the England U17 squad directly after the game for next week's international against Switzerland in Bristol, was again called into action minutes into the second half when he had to be alert to save a deflected shot.

At the other end Lee Howlett saw his pinpoint pass pick out Danny Crow, who did well to chest the ball down, only to pull his shot across the goal. Lee Blackburn saw his header cleared off the line, this coming from a Smith corner, while late in the game Elliott denied Olly Willis twice, the second a spectacular tip over the bar. With just a minute left on the clock, the visitors doubled their score through Seb Ndombe, although once again City had the opportunity to clear the danger. Late in the game Under-16 Jamie Clarkson came on for his first Under-19 game but by this time Charlton had the game wrapped up.

Top Canary Nicky Howell

City Line-up: Lewis, Willis, Osborne [Batt 59], Crane, Watts [Chick 59], Smith, Howell, Blackburn, Howlett, Crow, Eagle [Clarkson 87] Top Canary: Nicky Howell.

Further Action From The Match
Danny Crow shields the ball	Crow, surrounded!
This Lee Blackburn header was cleared off the line	Matthew Watts joins the attack
Matthews Watts joined Greg Crane in the centre of defence	Jake Osborne
The Dads of David Chick and Adam Smith look on	Charlton keeper Rob Elliott breaks up a City attack
Report and Pictures courtesy of John Landamore and Paul Standley.