John Landamore Spurs U18 0, Norwich City U18 1: FRESH from spending two weeks at Glen Hoddle's Football Academy in Spain, Nick Davy was on hand to fire Ricky Martin's side into a slender 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspurs at Spurs Lodge today.

John Landamore

Spurs U18 0, Norwich City U18 1

FRESH from spending two weeks at Glen Hoddle's Football Academy in Spain, Nick Davy was on hand to fire Ricky Martin's side into a slender 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspurs at Spurs Lodge today.

Spurs had lost only one game this season, and had it not been for a quite remarkable performance from City keeper Declan Rudd, they would surely have produced a victory today.

In the absence of Dario Dumic, Martin switched Danny Kelly to centre back with trialist Jack Dean joining Damion Lathrope in midfield. Spurs were quickly into their stride with Qudus Oyenuga firing wide from close range.

Ryan Mason tested Rudd with a volley but the City keeper turned the shot round for a corner from which Steven Caulver sent a header along the top of the bar.

Nathan Byrne then brought out the best out of Rudd as City struggled to get out of their own half. Oyenuga was causing the City rearguard concern but Kelly and David Stephens stood firm. When the Spurs striker did get a shot on target, Rudd again made the save.

With 37 minutes on the clock and completely against the run of play, the Canaries opened the scoring.

Stephens put a delightful ball through to Luke Daley from the by-line who slotted the ball through the defender's legs for DAVEY to finish at the near post.

The second half was again one-way traffic as City dug deep. Lathrope cleared off the line before Mason was foiled for the second time by Rudd.

Moments later Rudd was quickly off his line to block an effort from Oyenuga. Mason must have wondered what he had to do to beat Rudd as the City stopper produced the hat-trick of saves against the Spurs striker.

When Spurs introduced Harry Kane into attack it made little or no difference as Rudd was in a class of his own to deny the Spurs striker twice late in the game.

t Norwich City Man of the Match: Declan Rudd.

t Spurs: Jansson, Smith, Cox, Parrett, Caulker, Butcher, Byrne, Kasim, Oyenuga, Mason, Bostock (Kane 76 mins). Subs not used: Butler, Ekim, Nicholson.

t Norwich City: Rudd, Francomb, Brindley (Habergham 62 mins), Kelly, Stephens, Davey (Clarke 88 mins), Lathrope, Daley, Omoregie, Dawkin (Drmola 73 mins). Subs not used: Reeves, Steer.