A goal 10 minutes before time from Danny Crow brought a smile to everyone's face at a very damp Colney, as City's Academy side ended the year with a narrow victory over Crystal Palace. Following last week's disappointing performance against Ipswich Town Saturday's victory over The Eagles sent the Colney faithful home happy and with a stunning performance from the first team later in the day, all in all it was a good weekend for those in yellow and green. Norwich had the better of the opening exchanges although the Palace keeper was hardly tested; a shot wide of the target from Crow was as close as they came.

Nicky Howell, who set up the winning goal for Danny Crow, in full flight

Joe Lewis gathers under pressure

It became more of an even contest as the half wore on and the visitors wasted two good opportunities late in the half with first Tariq Nabil sending a looping header over the City crossbar, while moments later Kerem Bashkal blasted over from a good position. After the break Greg Crane went close on a couple of occasions for Norwich, the first a header from an Adam Smith corner and the second a curling free kick that Lance Cronin in the Palace goal did well to turn round for a corner. With 57 minutes on the clock City opened their account when David Chick was perfectly placed to head home an Adam Smith corner.

It took the visitors just 3 minutes to reply when Ricci Dolan crashed in a spectacular overhead kick off the underside of the crossbar. It looked as though the game would be heading for a draw, that is until Nicky Howell worked himself into space out wide on the right and after turning the full back inside out he sent in a low cross to the far post where a late arriving Danny Crow slid the ball in from what looked like an impossible angle. City Line-Up: Lewis, Batt, Chick, Crane, Halliday, Smith, Howell, Blackburn [Howlett 45], Atkins, Crow, Clarkson [Kelleher 45, Eagle 90] Subs Not Used: J.Osborne, Watts. Top Canary: Greg Crane.

Trialist Paul Atkins worked hard up front

Further Action From The Match
A dejected looking Lee Blackburn came off injured just before half-time	Sammy Morgan and Ricky Martin look apprehensive
Report and pictures from John Landamore.	The winning goal brings a smile to the face of the Academy Director