Norwich City U18 1, Watford U18 2

John Landamore A goal three minutes from time gave Watford Under-18s all three points from Saturday's FA Premier Academy League game at Colney.

John Landamore

A goal three minutes from time gave Watford Under-18s all three points from Saturday's FA Premier Academy League game at Colney.

The visitors led at the break and their lead could have been greater but for some poor finishing and good saves from City goalkeeper Jed Steer. Norwich hit back in the second half through Patrick Drmola, only to see a point slip away late in the game.

Academy boss Ricky Martin was without the services of David Stephens, who has joined Lincoln City on loan until the end of the season, so his place was taken by Taylor McKenzie, on trial from the previous week's opponents, Tottenham.

The visitors started brightly and caught City on the break after just two minutes, but Pierro Mingoia pulled his shot wide of the target. Moments later, City were caught again but this time Steer came to the rescue, saving comfortably from Conor Smith.

The Canaries' first real chance came after good work down the right flank by Tyree Clarke, whose cross was headed over by Danny Kelly.

Josh Dawkin was the next to open the Hornets' defence but when his cross fell to Clarke, he failed to find the target.

Steer was again called upon to block an effort on the edge of the box, while moments later he produced the save of the game, just getting his fingertips to an effort from Jake Rosier.

With 45 minutes gone, Watford broke the deadlock when Gavin Massey cut in from the right wing to drive the ball beyond Steer.

In the second half, Clarke and Dawkin combined well and it needed a double save from Jonathan Bond to deny City's Welsh winger.

Johnbull Osemwegie, fresh from a trial with Rochdale, saw an effort go over the bar, while, playing against his old club, Drmola saw a shot blocked.

George Francomb, who scored the winning goal against Peterborough Reserves in midweek, had a couple of free kicks that failed to trouble the Hornets' 'keeper.

But, with 79 minutes gone, Norwich scored the equaliser their second-half performance deserved. Substitute Ryan Oakley created the opening down the right and his cross found Dawkin, whose effort was saved, but Drmola picked up the rebound to fire the ball home.

City's joy was short-lived, however, when they were undone at the back, allowing Massey to knock in his second from close range with just three minutes left.

t Norwich City Under-18: Steer, Jones, Gordon, Osemwegie (Brindley, 80), McKenzie, Francomb, Clarke (Oakley, 75), Dobbs (Sam Kelly, 75), Danny Kelly, Drmola, Dawkin.

Subs (not used) Matthews, Loza.

t Watford Under-18: Bond, Fenwick, Archer, Deer, Thompson, Tumwa, Rosier (Kalu, 78), Issac, Smith, Massey, Mingoia.

Subs (not used) Binham, Honner, Hamilton, Hobian.

t City man of match: Jed Steer.