Monday 23 August 2004

Gorleston FC U16''s 3 Norwich City Academy 5

Norwich City Academy U16's edged past Gorleston Youth U16's with two late goals to seal a 5-3 victory in a very entertaining and competitive encounter.

Norwich started brightly, knocking the ball around slickly as they dominated the early possession and spread the play from one side of the pitch to the other looking to work a goal scoring opportunity.

As the half developed, Gorleston's defence remained resolute and, despite enjoying the lion's share of possession, Norwich were finding it difficult to create any clear cut chances. At the same time, Gorleston's two lively strikers were beginning to cause a surprisingly edgy looking Norwich defence some problems of their own.

On 30 minutes, Norwich were woken from their complacency. Gorleston were awarded a free kick on the left hand side of the Norwich penalty area. Gorleston's number 7 swung in a beautifully executed curling ball to the far post which avoided everyone as it found the top right hand corner of the Norwich net. The goal was met with rapturous applause from the Gorleston faithful who were nearly as shocked by the success as were Norwich City.  

From the kick off it was clear that Norwich were determined to up the tempo; but despite continued territorial dominance, Norwich's final ball to the forwards was not of sufficient quality to trouble the Gorleston defence.

Just before the break Norwich enjoyed a slice of good fortune. A left footed cross from the left flank looped over the Gorleston keeper's outstretched hand and into the back of the net.

Half-time: Gorleston FC 1 Norwich City 1

The second half began as the first had ended with Norwich controlling the pattern of play. It was soon clear however, that Norwich  were determined to turn their territorial dominance into goals as they opted for a more direct approach which resulted in several goal scoring opportunities

Norwich took the lead with a well placed drive from just outside the area. Most neutrals were of the opinion that Norwich's superior fitness and quality would now start to have a major influence on the score line as the game moved into its latter third. This proved to be far from the case as Gorleston continued to be a threat from dead ball positions, and it was no surprise when another well delivered corner to the near post saw a Gorleston player get in front of his marker to head home the equiliser.

Norwich again took the lead to make the score 3-2, but in a carbon copy of Gorleston's second goal, Norwich were soon pegged back to all square as another near post header from a corner found the back of the Norwich City net. 

It was clear that although Norwich were still dominating possession and carving out numerous chances, their apparent inability to defend dead ball situations was offering Gorleston the opportunity to press for an unlikely victory. However, with the game looking to be heading for a draw, Norwich struck twice in the dying moments - including a wonderful lob from the U15 Norwich substitute striker - to break Gorleston hearts. Nonetheless, Gorleston matched their illustrious Academy opponents for long periods of the game and can be justly proud of their efforts, which underlined not only the quality of the current Gorleston U16 squad, but also the quality to be found within the Norfolk and Suffolk League as a whole.