John Landamore City's academy side completed their 2008 campaign in some style today when they came away from London Colney with all three points after an impressive victory over league leaders Arsenal.

John Landamore

FA Premier Academy U18 League

Arsenal U18 1, Norwich City U18 2

City's academy side completed their 2008 campaign in some style today when they came away from London Colney with all three points after an impressive victory over league leaders Arsenal.

Today's result sees Ricky Martin's side undefeated in their last six games and as they go into their three week Christmas break they can look forward to the new year that starts in the first week in January with an FA Youth Cup tie against Stoke City at Carrow Road.

Martin made a couple of changes to the team that gained a draw at West Ham last week, in came trialist Aaron Chalmers while Damon Lathrope was drafted into an unfamiliar left back role.

Playing with the advantage of a strong wind the Canaries found themselves in front after just six minutes when after some good play down the right flank Johnbull Omoregerie sent in a low cross that NICK DAVEY flicked in from close range. The home side certainly found the wet and windy conditions not to their liking and Davey came close to making it two from a similar position after a good cross from Danny Kelly. City's front pairing were giving the Gunners defence plenty to think about and Kelly was unlucky with a shot that skidded across the goal just inches wide of the far post. Arsenal thought they had scored moments before the break but the linesman had already raised his flag for handball. First half stoppage time and City hit Arsenal on the break but Omoregie's effort was turned round by the Gunners keeper for a corner.

City started the second half as they had started the first when they fired themselves into a two goal lead on 54 minutes. Josh Dawkin picked out Kelly who cut inside to unleash a shot that the Arsenal keeper saved but KELLY was alert to pounce on the loose ball after an Arsenal defender tried to chest the ball back to the keeper. Dawkin then tried his luck with a left foot shot that the Arsenal keeper needed two attempts to collect. It was still all city at this stage and Kelly saw two further attempts go agonisingly close, one a delicate chip that glanced the outside of the post. Moving into the final 15 minutes and Arsenal finally started to put pressure on the city defence but Declan Rudd produced a couple of excellent saves to keep City two goals to the good. Deep in stoppage time Arsenal got themselves back into the game with a goal from the peanlty spot from JAY THOMAS but it was too little too late as moments later the referee blew for full time to secure the Canaries a memorable victory.

t Norwich City: Rudd, Chalmers (Francomb 65), Lathrope, Dumic, Stephens, Omoregie (Swaine 80), Adeyemi, Smith, Dawkin, Davey (Clarke 87), Kelly

Subs not used: Grieveson, Reeves.

t Mom: Damon Lathrope.