Reading U18 1, Norwich U18 0

John Landamore A GOAL just four minutes into the game was enough to give Reading all three points in a match that Norwich City dominated from start to finish. The final touch somehow eluding them in today's defeat seriously dents their opportunity to finish second in the league.

John Landamore

A GOAL just four minutes into the game was enough to give Reading all three points in a match that Norwich City dominated from start to finish.

The final touch somehow eluding them in today's defeat seriously dents their opportunity to finish second in the league.

With Jed Steer away on international duty and Declan Rudd and Sam Grieverson both sidelined through injury, Ricky Martin was forced into the loan market with Chelsea U17 keeper Sam Walker pulling on the Canary jersey for today's game.

Meanwhile Sam Habergham is also away with England U17s in Hungary with Jed Steer while Tom Adeyemi and Korey Smith were on the bench for the first team game against Birmingham City and St Andrews.

The Royals took just four minutes to open their account when JAKE TAYLOR collected the ball in midfield, driving onto the edge of the box and firing the ball beyond the reach of Walker in the Canaries goal.

City were looking lively in attack and that almost paid dividends shortly after, after some good build-up play involving Tyree Clarke, allowing Nick Davey to raise through on a one-on-one situation with the Reading keeper who dived at Davey's feet to block the effort.

Norwich were having all the possession, although chances were hard to come by as Reading were consigned to hitting City on the break and had it not been for a last minute tackle from Dario Dumic, City might have gone two down shortly before the break.

Shortly into the second half and Davey saw a shot go just over the bar as the Canaries continued to stamp their authority on the game.

On a couple of occasions Reading were unable to clear the ball from a corner as City tried to get the touch.

Martin introduced both Danny Kelly and Kenny Reeves into attack but before he was replaced, it was Clarke who went close for City with a rising shot that Michael Pritchard in the Reading goal was forced to tip over the bar.

MoM: Tyree Clarke.

t Norwich City: Walker, Francomb, Brindley (A Stephens 58 mins), Lathrope, Dumic, D Stephens, Clarke (Reeves 84), Ball (Kelly 72 mins), Davey, Dawkin, Omoregie. Subs not used: Matthews, Drmola.

t Reading: Pritchard, Goddard, Raymond, Stockinger, Kamdjo, Mitchell, Baggie, Kelly, White, Taylor, Vasilev (D'Ath 65 mins). Subs not used: Joyce, Cox, Tyler, Roe.