Paddy Davitt Canaries' academy chief Ricky Martin praised his senior men after last night's comprehensive pre-season friendly win at their Ridgeons League neighbours.

Paddy Davitt

Canaries' academy chief Ricky Martin praised his senior men after last night's comprehensive pre-season friendly win at their Ridgeons League neighbours.

Owain Tudur Jones and Matty Gill played the full 90 minutes after being omitted from Paul Lambert's week-long German training party.

Danish defender Jens Berthel Askou was also set for another run out following the trio's appearance at King's Lynn earlier in the week, but was forced to withdraw due to a family matter.

Tudur Jones opened the scoring when he diverted home Gill's early cross before powerful frontman Patrick Drmola slotted a brace from close range in either half.

“First class, absolutely true professionals,” said Martin. “We had four professionals out there and five the other night and in both games they have been excellent. Gilly and Owain were the two senior ones along with George Francomb and Josh Dawkin, who have just broken out from the youth team.

“I said to the two senior boys during the game, 'do you want to come off?' but there was no chance.

“They wanted to get 90 minutes and both have thoroughly enjoyed it and provided a great opportunity for the young players to play next to them. Remy Gordon was alongside Owain in probably his first game starting as a left-sided centre back and he helped him along. Gilly got on the ball and allowed the other two central midfielders to make their runs. Jens got 45 minutes the other night and would have got another hour or so but had a family issue.”

Martin admitted exposing his young crop of players to senior football is an invaluable step in their development.

“They get a chance to play against men,” he said. “OK, they might not be quite as quick or as mobile or as fit as 16-year-olds but you can see that experience and just being physically stronger counts for a lot.

“That is key and that is a big plus side of the club putting a team in the Norfolk Senior Cup this year.

“It gives us an opportunity for our lads to play against the likes of Norwich United who got to the final last year.”

Tudur Jones left his central defensive berth to rise unchallenged inside the six yard box on seven minutes before Drmola pounced at the near post from Dawkin's cut back down the left. Planters' keeper Ben Nower foiled Drmola and Ryan Oakley shortly after but had no chance when Richard Brindley's piledriver cannoned back into play off his right-hand upright.

Drmola notched his second on the restart when Nower failed to hold Dawkin's angled strike from the edge, before home skipper Justin Fox grazed the outside of a post in the hosts' best spell of the contest.

t Norwich United: Nower, Jeal, Blois (Farrow 72), Shipley, Wilson, Anselin (Tacon 45), Hunter (McCabe 72), Fox, Blyth (Claydon 45), Key (Atkins 45), Page. Subs (not used): Furlong, Coe, Jensch, Taylor, Southgate, Shearer.

t Norwich City XI: Matthews, Francomb, Stephens (Florence 76), Gill, Tudur Jones, Gordon (Sturman 76), Oakley (Clunnan 79), Brindley (Dobbs 68), Drmola (Loza 68), Ball (Jones 76), Dawkin. Sub (not used): McKenzie. Goals: Tudur Jones (7), Drmola (16, 53)

t Referee: Mr S Meale