Robson happy after friendly win over rivals

MARK Robson was pleased that his Under-21 players managed to get some minutes under their belts as they beat local rivals Ipswich Town 2-1 in a friendly at Colney on Wednesday afternoon.

Jacob Murphy scored twice in the second half to swing the result in the Canaries' favour after the visitors have taken the lead three minutes before half-time.

The game - City's first since December 20 - was arranged after the postponement of their league fixture against Everton, and Robson was content after a typically feisty derby.

"It was a tough old game actually, a real ding dong. There were lots of tackles flying it, but it was a good exercise for the boys and I'm sure for their lads too," he said after the final whistle.

"Our last game was before Christmas, so with our game being called off this Friday, we were really pleased that Ipswich were able to bring a side down."

Norwich were made to rue their profligacy in the first period after Carlton Morris, Murphy and Harvey Hodd's misses were punished when the Tractor Boys - whose side included for City striker Alan Lee and Ireland winger Stephen Hunt - bundled home the game's opening goal on 42 minutes.

Murphy was offering a regular threat down the left hand side, however, and it was he who levelled ten minutes after the break when he slotted home after a quick free-kick.

City were on the ascendancy through out the second 45 and got their reward a minute from time as Murphy sprinted onto Reece Hall-Johnson's pass and finished calmly past the Ipswich stopper.

On the winger's goals, Robson added: "They were very good, but I'm sure he'll be the first to say he should have scored a couple more!

"I thought there were some good performances - I thought Carlton Morris was really good, and the full-backs were very good on the ball today too. We caused them lots of problems."

City's Norfolk Senior Cup quarter-final away to Cromer Town will now take place next Thursday January 16, and Robson knows it will be a tough task for his players.

"We've got a date for it now, and that's going to be another challenge in itself. I'm sure Cromer are going to be a difficult team, and we know what to expect in terms of the pitch," he said.

"It's something the boys have to adjust to, but we'll make sure we prepare properly for it and hopefully we can get through to the next round."

NORWICH CITY: Killip; Barker, Gafaiti, McFadden, Toffolo; McGeehan, Hall-Johnson; Young (Norman 71), Hodd, Jacob Murphy; Morris (Browne 87).