NORWICH CITY U18s fought back to earn a point against Watford courtesy of a David Cooper free-kick despite dominating for large spells of the match.

In a goalless first-half, City should have taken the lead within the first two minutes when Nick Davey found himself one-on-one with the Watford goalkeeper but shot wide.

The Canaries continued to look strong and create chances in particular through midfielder Tom Adeyemi.

Watford began to gain more possession and create chances as the half went on but solid defending from the centre-back partnership of Dario Dumic and Danny Kelly thwarted The Hornets.

With the first-half coming to an end, City stepped up their game but poor decision-making meant they couldn't find a way through the visitors' backline.

Norwich looked to start the second half as they began and ended the first but fell behind in the 52nd minute when a poor kick by 'keeper Declan Rudd from a backpass was punished with Watford taking the lead from the resulting cross.

This sparked the Canaries back into life and they dominated the rest of the match with their pressure telling ten minutes later.

Luke Daley sets off on a run against Watford at Colney
Photos courtesy of John Landamore of Foncy

David Cooper it was who brought City level, smashing home a free-kick from the edge of the area after Josh Dawkin had been fouled.

City had to settle for a point as they found themselves up against an outstanding Watford goalkeeper who made three first-class saves from strikers Nick Davey and Luke Daley.

Academy Manager Ricky Martin was upbeat after the match: "We've done more than enough to win the match and I will be surprised to come up against a goalkeeping performance as good as that all season.

"However, the players that found themselves in those opportunities would be and should be disappointed that they did not convert their chances.

"Overall there were encouraging individual performances, in particular I would like to praise Danny Kelly for his all-round performance and Josh Dawkin for the transition from how he performed in the first half to the second where he took on board the information given to him at half-time."

The Canaries remain undefeated at home, with four points from their opening three games and now look forward to next week's trip to Birmingham.

CITY U18: Rudd, Omeregie, Dumic, Kelly, Cooper, Adeyemi, Smith (c), Lathrope, Dawkin, Davey, Daley (Brindley 80). Subs not used: Reeves, Clarke, Ball.