CITY'S Under-18s came from behind to earn a hard fought 3-3 draw against Reading at Colney.
This was the second time in a week the Academy side had fought back - having already beaten Charlton 3-2 three days previously after being 2-0 down.
Reading dominated play early on and took the lead after just eight minutes with a header from a right-wing cross.
Norwich were struggling to get a hold of the game but did force a succession of corners where Johnbull Osemwegie twice went close to equalising.
On 40 minutes Reading extended their lead, good build up play resulted in a low cross from the left which was tapped in from close range.
City responded well and pulled a goal back immediately, Danny Kelly held the ball up and laid it into the path of Richard Brindley who struck his shot hard and low into the bottom corner of the Royals' net from 20 yards.
Half-time: Norwich 1 Reading 2
The Canaries made one change at half-time - Ryan Oakley replacing Tyree Clarke.
City got off to the worst possible start when Reading extended their lead with just 30 seconds of the second-half on the clock - the visitors had two shots blocked by the Norwich defence, but the ball fell kindly to their striker for a third effort, which hit the back of the net.
Norwich created a good chance to get back into the game on 47 minutes following good work by Oakley in the right wing position, and his cross fell to Sam Kelly who volleyed over.
On 51 minutes a ball forward by George Francomb was brought down well by Oakley, who touched the ball into the path of Brindley who hit another spectacular shot from range, this time with his right foot, to make the score 3-2.
On 63 minutes Norwich had a great chance to level the game, Josh Dawkin broke free of his marker, but his shot was well saved by the Reading goalkeeper.
With seven minutes remaining Patrick Drmola did very well out wide to beat his man and ran at goal, his well-struck shot took a deflection and flew over the Reading crossbar. But from the resulting corner the Canaries equalised, Dawkin heading home to make the score 3-3.
Norwich looked the more likely team to go on and win the game, but were unable to test the keeper with a couple of efforts just wide of the target.
Speaking after the match Academy Manager Ricky Martin said: "Reading started very strongly indeed and looked as though they wanted to the win the game more than us in the first half an hour.
"Richard Brindley got us back into the game with an excellent goal, but we gave them back the two goal advantage far too easily at the start of the second half. Credit to out boys though, they never gave in and deserved to get the goals which brought the game level.
"With a little more luck we could have gone on to win the game, but I am pleased with the fighting spirit and some of the football the lads played in the second period."
CITY: Matthews, Osemwegie, Gordon, Ball (Jones 55), Francomb, Florence, Clarke (Oakley 46), Brindley (Drmola 80), D. Kelly, S. Kelly, Dawkin. Subs not used: A. Stephens, Dobbs.
Pictures courtesy of Richard Phillips
