CITY'S Academy youngsters grabbed an excellent 2-2 draw away to Chelsea with goals from Johnbull Omoregie and Luke Daley.

In a solid all-round team performance Academy Manager Ricky Martin picked out Danny Kelly, Damon Lathrope and Sam Habergham for special praise for their displays.

Martin told First News: "A good game and a very good performance from the lads. We could and should have won the game as I felt we had the better missed chances. A fantastic training ground and good performances from all."

Norwich City earned a share of the points with Chelsea at Stoke Road, coming from behind twice. They were very unfortunate not to seal a victory, with Chelsea goalkeeper Jan Sebek denying firstly Danny Kelly and then Kris Renton with two superb second-half saves.

It was a typical autumn afternoon blessed with the occasional glimpse of sunshine as the match got underway at a picturesque Stoke D'Abernon.

As early as the second minute Dario Dumic did very well to intercept a low cross into the Norwich penalty area to concede a corner from the pace of winger Benjamin Gordon.

On fourteen minutes Norwich fell behind. City were down to ten men with Sam Habergham receiving treatment from physio Vicky Lang, on the touchline having sustained a facial injury. With Sam off the pitch, Frank Nouble got clear of the Norwich defence before waltzing round Jed Steer to roll the ball into the net.

Norwich responded within two minutes. Johnbull Omoregie sprung the surprise after receiving the ball just outside the Chelsea penalty area. Omoregie advanced before shooting low for goal, Jan Sebek in the Chelsea goal did well to parry the ball, only to see it rebound off an upright and end up in the opposite corner of the net.

On twenty two minutes more neat build up play between Luke Daly and Kris Renton found Omoregie powering his way infield from the right flank to drill the ball just wide of the far post with the Chelsea goalkeeper beaten.

On twenty eight minutes Chelsea went in front again. Benjamin Gordon sped away along the left touchline before squaring the ball for the lively Frank Nouble, who gave Jed Steer no chance from around ten yards.

Patrick van Aanholt then was allowed through the midfield unchallenged before deciding to unleash, but Jed Steer was equal to shot with a fine save with outstretched hands.

Referee Mr Donnellan allowed a full five minutes of stoppage time due to injuries and Norwich got to half time without any further damage inflicted on them.

Norwich started the second half with more energy and on forty seven minutes Danny Kelly advanced clear into the Chelsea half with no offside flag and only the Chelsea goalkeeper to beat. The Norwich forward seemed certain to score as he shot for goal but could only watch in despair as Jan Sebek produced a terrific save with his legs.

On fifty two minutes Norwich drew level. Luke Daley tore into the Chelsea penalty area after receiving the ball, with Josh Dawkins and Danny Kelly involved in the process, and Daley's angled low drive across the penalty area beat Jan Sebek into the far corner.

Norwich were now playing some good football, with Damon Lathrope, captaining the side, leading by example.

On sixty five minutes Jed Steer kept the ball out when substitute Joshua McEachran fired in low after Jacopo Sala delivered from the flank.

Seventy two minutes in and Kris Renton thought he had won the match for Norwich when he brought the ball down on the edge of the Chelsea penalty area and smashed the ball destined for the top corner, only for the Chelsea goalkeeper Jan Sebek to produce an acrobatic save in mid air to divert the ball away from goal.

Match report and photo courtesy of Rob Maynard and FONCY.