Academy Report | Norwich City 2-0 Dereham Town

Norwich City Academy booked their spot in the final of the Norfolk Hire Senior Cup with a 2-0 win over Dereham Town.

Norwich City Academy booked their spot in the final of the Norfolk Hire Senior Cup with a 2-0 win over Dereham Town.

Former Canary Grant Holt was involved in the action early on for Dereham, flicking on a ball forward to Charlie Clarke who volleyed off-target.

Alfie Doy found Alex Roberts with a nice cross into the box, but the eventual effort was blocked.

Jack Ruddy was the busier of the two goalkeepers in the first half. First, he tipped over Jamie North's free-kick, before he held Clarke's effort.

But it would be Norwich who would open the scoring. An effort was deflected by a Dereham defender, which was kept alive by Hugo Valencia Gomez, whose pass was perfect for Lloyd Ofori-Manteaw to find the bottom corner.

Dereham were reduced to 10 men in the second half, as Harry Pitcher saw red for a cynical trip on Damari Daley.

Harry Brooke tried his luck from distance, with his effort needing to be palmed over the crossbar by the Dereham 'keeper.

Holt would attempt to catch Ruddy out with a chip from the edge of the area, but Ruddy recovered well to deny the effort.

Daley had a fantastic effort to double the Norwich lead, but for a superb stop from the Dereham goalkeeper.

In stoppage time, Foden Northover curled brilliantly into the far corner to double the lead and send Norwich into the final.

The Canaries will meet the winner of Wednesday's other semi-final between Wroxham and Mulbarton Wanderers.

Norwich City Academy: Ruddy; Doy, Okpiabhele (Keita h-t), Madu, Williams; Brooke (Rowland 60), Ofori-Manteaw, Valencia Gomez, Northover, Roberts, Ogwuru (Daley 44).

Unused subs: Owen, Bullen.

Goals: Ofori-Manteaw (39), Northover (90+2)

Dereham Town: Self; Pitcher, Gilham, Melanson, Watts, Oliver, Logan, Gee, Holt, North, Clarke.

Subs: Eastaugh, Derbyshire, Ellis, Voutt, Duffy.

Red card: Pitcher (50)