A YOUNG Norwich City XI got off to a good start, but came undone by two goals from former Canary Nicky Howell as Dereham ran out 2-1 winners at Aldiss Park.

Paul Stephenson named a youthful City XI for the game with Chris Martin and Kris Renton starting up front, Luke Chadwick and Simon Lappin bringing experience on the flanks. Trialist Stuart Nelson started in goal with a centre back partnership of sixteen-year-old academy scholars David Stephens and Sam Habergham.

Dereham kicked off with former Norwich City academy players Adam Gusterson and Nicky Howell. City got off to a good start, and in the first minute saw a Chadwick header go over the bar from an Eagle left wing cross. Two minutes later, Korey Smith's volleyed attempt went over the crossbar.

Seven minutes in and City took the lead. A ball out of defence from left-back Robert Eagle found a charging Chris Martin who lobbed Dereham 'keeper John Higgs to put City 1-0 up.

City kept pushing forward, and in the 10th minute a Chadwick cross was headed on target by Habergham but was confidently saved by Dereham's 'keeper. Norwich were then called into defensive action when Nicky Howell worked down the Dereham left, passing to Danny Beaumont, whose shot rattled off the City crossbar sixteen minutes into the game.

The first-half pressed on, with City searching for an opening but the Magpie's defence stood up to the challenge. The 33rd minute saw Chris Martin working into the opposing side's box, passing to Kris Renton whose shot was stopped by Higgs. However, the home team swiftly responded with a rising shot from Danny Beaumont sailing over Nelson's bar.

Then on 38 minutes, former Canary Nicky Howell put the home side level, latching on to Beaumont's pass and slotting the ball past the City 'keeper.

HALF TIME: Dereham Town 1, Norwich City 1

City's squad came out for the second half unchanged. The first minute saw Martin with a low shot wide of the Dereham right-hand post. This was quickly followed by a cross from Eagle to Chadwick whose downward header was smothered by Higgs.

The Canaries continued applying the pressure and moving forward, with a header from Martin over the bar in the 54th minute, but the Magpies looked to catch Norwich on the break with Howell testing Nelson with a shot.

The home side then almost took the lead after 58 minutes when Jason Hunt broke free but Nelson blocked his shot. Unfortunately he was unable to prevent the Magpies taking the lead moments later when yet again Howell broke free and lobbed the goalkeeper to place the ball in to the back of the net.

Although City looked to respond the home team were full of confidence and continued to push forward. The 73rd minute saw Chadwick, who had switched to the left, find Eagle who crossed in to Davey, whose shot was blocked. This was swiftly followed by a chance for academy scholar Adeyemi, but the Magpies defence held out.

As the game came to a close, Norwich pressed for an equaliser and in the 89th minute Luke Daley was prevented from levelling after another good stop from the home side's 'keeper, securing the win for the Magpies.

Final Score: Dereham Town 2, Norwich City 1

Norwich City: Nelson, Cooper (Francomb 63), Eagle, Smith, Stephens, Habergham, Chadwick, Adeyemi, Martin (Kelly 75), Renton (Daley 52), Lappin (Davey 63). Unused subs: Rudd, Clark.