A SECOND half equaliser from sub Josh Dawkin ensured tonight's friendly with Dereham Town at Aldiss Park ended all-square
Coach Ian Crook handed seven triallists an outing in tonight's friendly with the Ridgeons Premier League side.
Former Norwich Academy goalkeeper Arran Lee-Barrett lined up alongside Brazilian defender Arghus, former Sunderland Academy player Adam Slegg and Paul McVeigh in the starting line-up. The game also gave City the chance of a second look at Takura Mtandari, Nicholas Chrysantho and Troy Powell who all featured in the 6-0 win at Fakenham Town earlier in the month.
Dereham got the match off to the best possible start when they opened the scoring inside the opening 60 seconds with a long-range effort from Graham Barrett which sailed past Lee-Barrett in the City goal.
City's first chance came when Danny Kelly fed Adam Slegg down the right, the triallist crossed to the near post where the Dereham 'keeper failed to collect under pressure from Powell and the lose ball fell to Kelly who fired wide.
The hosts continued in purposeful fashion and City were grateful to George Francomb who cleared off the line on eight minutes.
City almost levelled the match when Powell latched on to a long ball out of defence from Francomb and capitalised on some hesitancy in the home defence, the triallist forced the ball away from his marker and 'keeper but a covering defender cleared the danger as Powell prepared to roll the ball into an empty net.
Crook was forced to make an early change to his line-up on 20 minutes when Arghus limped off and was replaced by Academy scholar Richard Brindley who went to right-back with Francomb partnering Dumic in the heart of the City defence.
Former City Academy player Nicky Howell continued to be Dereham's most threatening player and he went close with a rising shot from a tight angle in the 25th minute.
Lee-Barrett had a scare moments before half-time when his clearance was charged down by the lively Howell but to the City 'keeper's relief the ball looped over the bar to safety.
Half-Time: Dereham Town 1 City XI 0
Crook shuffled his pack at half-time introducing Johnbull Osemwegie and Josh Dawkin for Tom Adeyemi and Paul McVeigh respectively.
Left-back Mtandari tested Higgs in the opening exchanges of the half with a low skimming effort from range after a good slalom run.
The Magpies' stopper was forced to tip a Francomb free-kick over his bar, after Slegg was fouled about 20 yards from goal.
On 71 minutes, Chrysantho brought a fine save out of Higgs low down to his right with a fierce shot from the edge of the area.
Chrysantho swung in a corner kick on 79 minutes that made its way through a ruck of players and fell to Welsh youth international winger Dawkin who teed himself up before firing a crisp half-volley into the roof of the net to level the match.
Lee-Barrett survived a scare a minute later, when Ollie Willis robbed the City 'keeper on the goal line but his shot from an acute angle was cleared by the covering Francomb.
City were grateful to Mtandari with seven minutes left, the defender was in the right place at the right time to clear a Dereham effort off the line.
Full-Time: Dereham Town 1 City XI 1
Speaking after the match, coach Ian Crook said: "It was certainly all beneficial. It was another step up again, especially for all these young boys and it answered some questions about the triallists as well. It was men against boys out there, but I thought our boys stood up well."
CITY: Lee-Barrett, Francomb, Mtandari, Arghus (Brindley 20), Dumic, Adeyemi (Osemwegie 46), Slegg (Lathrope 75), Chrysantho, Powell (Clarke 86), Kelly (Reeves 86), McVeigh (Dawkin 46). Sub not used: Steer (GK).
Referee: M. George
Attendance: 1,750
