Norwich City's FA Premier Academy League side finally went under to three second-half goals, giving way to a strong Crystal Palace side that could have embarrassed their visitors even more but for poor finishing.
Norwich City's FA Premier Academy League side finally went under to three second-half goals, giving way to a strong Crystal Palace side that could have embarrassed their visitors even more but for poor finishing.
Norwich City fielded a mixed Academy eleven, with Danny Kelly captaining the side and reverting to the heart of the defence alongside Dario Dumic. Coskun Ekim, making his first start for Norwich, was very mobile in midfield, and played with determination.
The early stages at Copers Cope Road found both teams unable to get the upper hand, although Norwich defended well enough. Norwich almost created an opening on 22 minutes when Oakley did well on the left side of the Palace penalty area, but the ball was scrambled clear.
On 27 minutes a through ball picked out Sekjja with a clear run on goal, but Steer appeared to get something on the ball to divert it away for a corner.
On 31 minutes Nwaogu shot wide from distance for City. The best move from Norwich came with Ekim bypassing three opponents before Oakley took the ball away from his stride, but blasted over the crossbar.
Seven minutes into the second half, Crystal Palace opened the scoring when Randall was allowed space inside the penalty area to shoot pass Steer.
On 71 minutes Pinney was sent through on goal, but again the striker wasted a golden opportunity. Again Norwich got caught cold just inside their own penalty area and Randall advanced before squaring the ball for Pinney to net.
Norwich almost halved the deficit when JohnBull Osemwegie collected the ball before shooting. It took a wicked deflection before rebounding off a post.
In the last minute Sekjja rounded off the scoring.
Norwich City: Steer, Brindley (Gordon, 72), A.Stephens, Ekim, Dumic, D Kelly, Sessenon, Ball (Osemwegie, 61), Nwaogu (Drmola, 46), Roberts, Oakley.
Subs not used: Matthews, S Kelly.
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