CITY Reserves lost 5-2 against a strong Peterborough United side at London Road this afternoon in their second league match of the Totesport.com Combination - East Division.
There were four changes to the Norwich side, Declan Rudd, Richard Brindley, Dario Dumic and Josh Dawkin coming in for Michael Theoklitos, George Francomb, Darel Russell and Chris Martin.
Declan Rudd started in goal, having missed last week's game, as he was on England Under-19 duty, playing in the 2-1 win over Russia at Shrewsbury's ProStar Stadium.
Left-back Rhoys Wiggins made his first City appearance since signing from Crystal Palace in the summer, coming on for Cody McDonald in the second half.
The hosts started the game in deadly fashion, scoring twice in the opening seven minutes. Dominic Green floated a superb free-kick into the top-corner after striker Shaun Batt had been fouled inside two minutes and then Batt capitalised on a defensive mix-up to double the lead, rounding Declan Rudd to roll into the empty net.
City reduced the arrears courtesy of a superb strike from Wes Hoolahan, the midfielder letting fly from 25 yards, leaving goalkeeper James McKeown with no chance.
Batt grabbed his second of the match on 38 minutes. Dean Keates slipped the striker in who coolly finished past Rudd.
Half-Time: Peterborough United Reserves 3 Norwich City Reserves 1
Simon Whaley missed a good chance just after half-time before the hosts extended their lead - Ben Wright finishing off a flowing move with a curling shot.
Ian Crook made a double change on the hour-mark introducing Rhoys Wiggins and Danny Kelly for the unwell Cody McDonald and Goran Maric. Tyree Clarke replaced Whaley on 75 minutes.
Welsh youth international winger Josh Dawkin capped a good personal performance with a well-taken goal ten minutes from time. Hoolahan played Dawkin in behind the hosts' defence and he rounded McKeown to roll the ball into the net.
Peterborough completed the scoring though in injury time as sub Nathan Korenteng met Batt's low cross from the right to squeeze in at the near post.
Full-Time: Peterborough United Reserves 5 Norwich City Reserves 2
Next week, the reserves take on Watford at Carrow Road on Wednesday, September 23 (7.30pm).
Speaking to canaries.co.uk after the match, coach Ian Crook said: "Strangely I think we learned more from today than we did last week. We were always up against it after conceding the two early goals but it was a good learning curve for our youngsters up against a decent Peterborough side, with first team players, and it was was another step up for them today."
CITY: Rudd, Brindley, Habergham, Doherty, Stephens, Dumic, Whaley (Clarke 75), Maric (Kelly 60), McDonald (Wiggins 60), Hoolahan, Dawkin. Sub not used: Osemwegie.
Peterborough: McKeown, Austin, Day, Pearce, Blanchett (Andrew 75), Green (Korenteng 60), Torres (Crook 60), Batt, Wright, Keates. Subs noted used: Appiah, Piergianni.
