Four sweetly taken first half goals saw City finish their Academy season in some style against Aston Villa on Saturday. The visitors were of course beaten F.A.Youth Cup finalists earlier in the week and doubtless they had visions of putting that behind them at Colney. When they opened the scoring after just two minutes it didn't look good for Sammy Morgan's side. However City had different ideas as they turned in a stunning first-half performance that the visitors had no answer to. It was Jamie Ward who fired Villa in front when he beat Joe Lewis with a 20 yard low drive that just sneaked into the bottom right hand corner.

Lee Blackburn arrives late at the far post to get City's third goal

This Danny Crow free-kick was well saved

City hit back just three minutes later when Lee Blackburn headed on a Matthew Halliday cross for Adam Smith to volley home at the far post. Danny Crow brought out a good save from Jon Masalin while at the other end Lewis did the same denying Mika Aaritalo. With 24 minutes on the clock City took the lead with again Blackburn turning provider. The City midfielder picked out Crow with a delightful cross field pass and the City front man made no mistake from a tight angle driving the ball into the far corner. On the half hour mark City extended their lead when Smith sent in a corner to the far post where a late arriving Blackburn rose above his marker to head home. Three minutes later and the Colney regulars were jumping for joy again. This time it was Nicky Howell who raced clear to slide the ball under the advancing keeper.

The second half would find it difficult to live up to what was on offer in the first 45 minutes and this proved to be the case, although Masalin had to be alert to deny Crow a minute after the interval. To their credit Villa tried to haul themselves back into the game but the City defence looked solid apart from a momentary lapse in concentration seven minutes from time when Aaritalo was unmarked at the far post to tap in a left wing cross. Although this victory brings the curtain down on the season City will sending an Under-17 side for a friendly at Ipswich next Saturday. We will of course be bringing you action and a full report from that game. City Line-Up: Lewis, Willis, Watts [Cave - Brown 45], Osborne, Halliday, Fisk, Howell, Blackburn, Howlett [Spillane 90], Crow, Smith. Subs Not Used: Herbert, Martin. Top Canary: Danny Crow.

Matthew Watts avoids the worst of a Villa challenge

Further Action From The Match
Henna Horth gives treatment to Joe Lewis	Adam Smith started the ball rolling for the Canaries with the equaliser
Nicky Howell - scorer of City's fourth goal	Andrew Cave-Brown came on as a second-half substitute
Report and Pictures courtesy of John Landamore