Portsmouth U18 0, Norwich City U18 1
John Landamore City's Academy side bounced back from defeats against Reading and Leicester City to take a slender 1-0 victory at Portsmouth yesterday.
John Landamore
City's Academy side bounced back from defeats against Reading and Leicester City to take a slender 1-0 victory at Portsmouth yesterday.
Ricky Martin welcomed back five players from international duty and it was one of these in the shape of Josh Dawkin who netted the first half goal to give the Canaries all three points.
Both teams took some time to settle into the game but when they did it was City who created the first opening with a David Stephens header from a George Francomb corner that skimmed the outside of the post.
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Moments later and from the opposite side of the pitch Sam Habergham sent in free-kick that Danny Kelly headed over the bar.
City held the upper hand but were almost hit on the break but Jedd Steer fresh from his recent England U17 appearances produced a good save to deny Hughes.
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On 31 minutes the Canaries took the lead following a good move involving Dario Dumic, Matthew Ball and Kelly who set up Dawkin who from 25 yards drilled a low shot to add to the goal he scored for Wales U17 against Romania last week.
Shortly before the break Steer was on hand yet again to deny Hughes although Norwich rode their luck when Covlier crashed the rebound off the crossbar.
Shortly after the start of the second half Stephens did well to block a shot from Bogard while at the other end Dawkin was denied his second when the Pompey keeper Smith made a point-blank save.
The home side pushed for the equaliser but they get little change from the City defence, marshalled well by Stephens along with a confident display from man of the match George Francomb.
t Norwich City: Steer, Francomb, Habergham, Ball (Drmolar 71), Dumic, Stephens, Clarke (Oakley 80), Omoregie, Daley, Kelly, Dawkin.
Sub not used: Grieverson.
t Portsmouth: T Smith, Tallack, Gregory, Goddard, Ryan, Mantyla, Watts, Covlier (Collins 85), M Smith (Martin 75), Hughes (O'Brien 88), Bogard.
Subs not used: Woodford, Stockford.
Norwich City MoM: George Francomb.
