City's Under-19 Academy side bounced back in the best way possible after their disappointing performance against West Ham at Colney last week when they beat league leaders Southampton 2-1 on the south coast on Saturday. The result did not tell the whole story with Adrian Boothroyd's side depleted through a combination of illness, suspensions and injuries. Missing from the squad were Damian Batt and Nicky Howell [flu] Greg Crane [suspended] and Josh Clarke and Aaron Osborne [injured]. The talking point before the game was the inclusion of Ryan Jarvis in the starting line after City boss Nigel Worthington had given his OK for the Fakenham youngster to make his first start this season for the Academy. It then took Jarvis just 3 minutes to make his mark on the game when he left his marker floundering to rifle the ball home from just 6 yards. Two minutes later and the travelling Canary faithful were back up on their feet when Jarvis netted again, only for the goal to be ruled offside.

Danny Crow, who clinched victory five minutes from time for the Canaries

Lee Blackburn keeps an eye on things from the goalline

City had certainly started with a purpose as Danny Crow tried his luck from 25 yards, the shot not far off target. The game then turned into a scrappy midfield battle until on the half hour mark Joe Lewis, fresh from his England training camp, pulled off a good save from Blackstock. Crow and Jarvis were enjoying their reunion as the Academy strike force, the pair combined well for Crow to see a fierce shot parried away by Poke in the Saints goal. After the break Blackstock went close on two occasions for the home side before Southampton were thrown a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty, David Tyrie harshly being judged to have brought down Best. Best then dusted himself down to bring the scores level with all to play for in the final 30 minutes.

The game once again became a scrappy affair, only to burst back into life inside the final 10 minutes. Firstly Adam Gusterson was carried off the pitch with a knee injury and only substitute keeper Shane Herbert on the bench. With no shirt readily available for the Canary number two it took a few minutes to get things sorted but finally Herbert was introduced in a centre forward roll. Immediately afterwards regained the lead. Olly Willis, who had made something of an impact since his introduction, sent in a pinpoint cross for Danny Crow to head City back in front. Adam Smith almost made it three for City with a thirty yard effort that was only just wide of the target,while Southampton sub Pereplyotain made Canary hearts miss a beat with two good efforts in the dying seconds. City Line-up: Lewis, Gusterson [Herbert 85], Chick, Tyrie, Halliday [Eagle70], Howlett [Willis 45], Blackburn, Fisk, Smith, Crow, Jarvis. Top Canary: Andrew Fisk

David Tyrie was unlucky to give away the penalty

Further Action From The Match
Last line of defence: Danny Crow and David Chick up against it on the south coast	Concentration from Joe Lewis
It took Ryan Jarvis just three minutes to open the scoring	Lots of discussion during a slight disagreement
Michael "Felix" Fields gets his match report in	A view of the excellent facilities at Southampton

Report and Pictures courtesy of Michael Fields and Richard Bland.