IT WAS honours even at a rainy Carrow Road this evening as City Reserves drew 1-1 with Colchester United Reserves. Striker OJ Koroma bagged his first goal in Norwich colours and Simon Lappin missed a penalty for the home side, but United took a share of the spoils thanks to an equaliser from Scott Vernon.
Paul Stephenson's squad contained a number of first team squad players including Spurs loanee Troy Archibald-Henville and Pompey's OJ Koroma.
It was an even start to the game, with both teams looking to come forward. City looked most deadly down the right flank with Chadwick and Koroma linking well.
City should have had the lead in the 23rd minute when OJ Koroma went through one-on-one with United 'keeper Cousins. The Gambian did a number of stepovers and rounded the number one but had been pushed wide. He cut the ball back to Kelly on the penalty spot. The young striker shot but his effort was blocked on the line by Pat Baldwin. Moments later Col U responded when Scott Vernon went through on goal until a last minute tackle from Archibald-Henville denied the striker his shot.
In the 31st minute referee Betts awarded the Canaries a penalty. OJ Koroma went through into the box and was pulled back by Anthony Wordsworth. Simon Lappin stepped up and drilled the ball sending Cousins the wrong way but his effort rattled the bar and bounced away to safety.
The Canaries had a great start after the break taking the lead in the 49th minute. Chadwick found space down the right and sent a low cross over to the back post for OJ Koroma who finished from close range, scoring his first goal in City colours.
Koroma nearly had his second in the 55th minute. He showed great pace reaching the ball on the edge of the area ahead of Colchester 'keeper Cousins. He dragged the ball wide and shot on his left foot but his effort rolled into the side netting.
The visitors drew level in the 66th minute. City failed to clear the ball and Scott Vernon fired a shot with pace at Nelson. It looked like the 'keeper had it but the ball slipped out of his grasp into City's goal. It was unlucky for City who had been the more dominant team after the break.
Within two minutes City had three chances to take the lead. It began in the 75th when a Koroma shot was well saved, followed by another effort from the Gambian which was cleared off the line by Mitchell Nelson. Simon Lappin was denied by a good Cousins save minutes later after the Scotsman found space and fired a shot towards the top corner before the 'keeper got a strong hand to it, palming the ball away from danger.
Both teams pushed for a winner but neither side caused either 'keeper any real danger in the final 10 minutes.
Norwich City: Nelson, Smith (C), Habergham (Dawkin 67), Adeyami (Francomb 45) , Archibald-Henville, Stephens, Chadwick (Daley 88), Lathrope, Koroma, Kelly, Lappin. Subs not used: Cooper, Rudd.
Attendance: 843
