U18 Report: Norwich 2-3 Saints

Norwich held a slender lead at half-time thanks to Damari Daley, but the hosts then had Toby Chilvers sent off for two yellows.

Saints then hit their stride and two very similar goals put them 2-1 ahead as substitutes Alejandro Gomes Rodriguez and Jay Robinson combined for the latter’s quickfire brace.

Aston Daley’s long range effort made it 3-1, with Norwich only able to muster a late reply through Lloyd Ofori-Manteaw.

After a quiet opening 20 minutes, the first real chance of the game saw the Canaries go close to taking the lead when a corner was met sweetly on the volley by Chilvers at the back post, but Saints goalkeeper Dylan Moody got down excellently to divert the ball past the post.

The first chance for a shot on goal from Saints came when Harrison Miles looked to control his strike with the ball bouncing awkwardly, but he dragged his effort wide.

With 33 minutes played, Norwich went closer still when another corner to the back post saw Miles Bracking connect with a header, but the ball bounced up, hit the crossbar and Saints were able to clear their lines.

Norwich eventually took the lead shortly before half-time though, when Daley was slipped in behind the Saints backline and squeezed a shot in at the near post.

Saints trailed against Norwich. (Photos: Craig Hobbs)

Saints looked for a response quickly but, following some good play down the left and a cutback from Sufianu Sillah Dibaga, Barnaby Williams scooped a shot over when looking to find the far corner of the net.

Early in the second half, Saints were given a boost when Norwich’s Chilvers was sent off for two bookable offences.

They almost had an equaliser quickly after when substitute Gomes Rodriguez tried to sneak a shot in at the near post, but Norwich goalkeeper Henry Bullen saved well and denied Saints' striker again after a swift break.

Substitutions made at the beginning of the second half helped change the momentum of the game in the visitors’ favour, and two of the fresh additions combined to make it 1-1 on 63 minutes.

Gomes Rodriguez was played in behind on the the right and picked his head up to find the onrushing Jay Robinson, who had the simple task of finishing from close range.

Jay Robinson found the net twice for Saints.

The turnaround was complete just four minutes later and the goal was a carbon copy of the equaliser; Gomes Rodriguez ran in behind again and produced the low ball across goal for Robinson to score.

Saints were in a confident mood and began to play some great football to cut through the Norwich team.

The heavily-involved Gomes Rodriguez saw two good opportunities saved before his side eventually found their third in the closing stages.

Aston Daley took aim from around 25 yards out and found the net spectacularly via the base of the post.

A late consolation for Norwich came courtesy of defender Ofori-Manteaw, who bundled in from a corner but only to half the deficit as Saints secured a return to winning ways.

Saints are in action again on Saturday 17th February when they host Arsenal in the Under-18 Premier League, with kick-off set for 11:30 at Staplewood.

Norwich: Bullen, Mundle (Ougbo 83), Williams (c), Ofori-Manteaw, Keita, Bracking, Simbai-Hurst, Chilvers, D. Daley (Roberts 68), Sealey, Owen (Rowland 59).

Subs not used: Ruddy, Corke.

Goals: D. Daley 42, Ofori-Manteaw 90+4.

Yellow Cards: Chilvers.

Red Cards: Chilvers.

Saints: Moody, Okonola-Matthews, Moore, Fry (Dobson-Ventura 68), Sesay, Miles, Pitts (Robinson 59), Rohart-Brown, Oyekunle (c), Williams (A. Daley 58), Sillah Dibaga (Gomes Rodriguez 46).

Subs not used: Upstell.

Goals: Robinson 63, 67, A. Daley 82.

Yellow Cards: Fry, Williams, Gomes Rodriguez, Oyekunle