Academy Manager Ricky Martin updates On the Ball - City's official matchday programme on the latest news from the Norwich City Academy.

Today's game against Chelsea will be one of four fixtures the Club play against Chelsea in January.

The youth team were drawn against Chelsea in the Fourth Round of the FA Youth Cup after beating Oldham in the previous round. The game took place at Carrow Road in front of over 1,000 fans on Wednesday, January 11. The two teams could not be separated after 90 minutes and extra-time followed. The additional 30 still failed to produce a goal and the tie was settled by penalties. Unfortunately we lost out in the penalty shootout, missing our first two kicks while Chelsea scored all four of theirs.

Following today's first team meeting - the reserves will play each other at Carrow Road on the Tuesday, January 24 before the youth team lock horns with Chelsea yet again when the Blues visit Colney for an Academy Premier League fixture on Saturday, January 28.

The youth team players will need to overcome the disappointment of the defeat against Chelsea and move on quickly. We have a busy fixture programme throughout January which includes trips to West Ham United and Southampton plus the above mentioned home game against Chelsea. They also face a trip to King's Lynn in the quarter-final of the Norfolk Senior Cup, making it three away trips in a row.

Finally, the Academy schoolboy training program is now back in full flow following the Christmas break. A number of games were arranged for the players to come in and regain some match sharpness in the New Year before training resumed. Ensuring the coaching staff have quality contact time with the players is integral to the boys' development. This allows the players to master and refine their techniques through practice and also allows them to gain more understanding of roles and responsibilities within the team by playing in matches.

Enjoy the game.

Ricky Martin
Academy Manager