CITY Under 18s returned to action against West Ham United at Colney after last weekend's postponement.

The break appeared to work wonders as Ricky Martin's side went in at half time three goals to the good.

Two late goals from the visitors gave City a scare but they held firm to record a 3-2 win over the Hammers in a thoroughly entertaining game.

Norwich were by far the better team in the first half and looked bright going forwards, and just 10 minutes in Johnbull Osemwegie put Josh Dawkin through on goal, but a West Ham defender timed his tackle very well as Dawkin was looking to shoot.

On 13 minutes the Canaries took the lead, Josh Dawkin cut in from the right-hand side and played the ball inside to Tyree Clarke who finished low into the corner of the West Ham goal with his left foot.

Just a minute later Norwich had another opportunity to score, some excellent possession play saw Osemwegie in space inside the opponent's area, but he dragged his shot wide of the goal when he really should have done better.

City continued to play some excellent attacking football and on 15 minutes extended their lead. Under-16 Theo Jones came forward from right-back and produced an excellent cross into the box where Danny Kelly was on hand to stretch and score from close range.

Five minutes later Norwich again came close, a long free-kick forward from David Stephens was brought down well by Kelly who laid the ball into the path of Osemwegie who shot just wide.

Midway through the half West Ham had their first chance of the game. Jed Steer pulled off a good save though and Remy Gordon was on hand to clear the danger.

City responded well and within a minute should have made the score 3-0. Dawkin did exceptionally well to work his way into a shooting opportunity but lacked composure in front of goal and dragged his shot wide.

The Hammers came close five minutes before half-time. A corner was delivered into the danger area and the West Ham forward did well to rise and get his head on the ball but could not direct the header on target.

On 40 minutes Sam Kelly replaced the injured Theo Jones.

After 41 minutes good build-up play from Dawkin and Danny Kelly enabled the striker to deliver a cross from the wide left position and midfielder Osemwegie climbed well to head home and give Norwich a deserved 3-0 lead.

Just before the half-time break Dawkin again did very well to free himself from the West Ham defence, but on this occasion his shot was on target but the Hammers' 'keeper made a good save.

Half-time: City 3, West Ham United 0

West Ham started the second half the better team and could have pulled a goal back in the 53rd minute, but Steer did very well to deny the West Ham winger.

Just before the hour mark some good close control from Osemwegie set up Clarke who hit his shot well, only to see the ball rebound off the crossbar.

Then Clarke had another great opportunity to score, Danny Kelly was again involved holding the ball up before laying the perfect pass to Clarke but he struck his shot wide of the far post.

On 65 minutes another excellent save from Steer kept the score at 3-0 as West Ham looked for a way back into the game.

With 20 minutes to go Patrick Drmola replaced Sam Kelly.

Good build up play from West Ham finally paid dividends in the 79th minute when they fired the ball through a crowded area and high into the Norwich net from just inside the area giving Steer little chance in the Norwich goal.

On 80 minutes Ryan Oakley replaced trialist Dean Florence.

With a minute to go a free-kick wide on the right for West Ham was not fully cleared. The ball ws volleyed back into the area towards goal and finished from close range to make the score 3-2 and set up a tense finish at Colney.

But the young Canaries held firm for the final few minutes and secured a well deserved 3-2 win.

After the match, Academy Manager Ricky Martin told canaries.co.uk: "Whilst the result was pleasing the scoreline could and should have been a lot more comfortable. The way the boys played in the first half they deserved to be 3-0 ahead and we had chances in the second half to extend that lead. Overall, I am pleased to get the win and very encouraged by some of the football we played throughout the game."

CITY: Steer, Jones (S.Kelly 40, Drmola 70), Gordon, Florence (Oakley 80), Francomb, D.Stephens, Clarke, Ball, D.Kelly, Osemwegie, Dawkin. Subs not used: Matthews (GK), Loza.