Norwich City Under-18s coach Greg Crane was proud of his side’s performance despite a 2-1 defeat to West Bromwich Albion.
The Under-18 Premier League South match saw WBA take the lead midway through the first half through Reyes Cleary but the Canaries kept battling and kept working hard and levelled when a trialist, who has joined the club this week, found the top corner with a good free-kick four minutes into the second half.
Norwich then continued to look the more threatening side in the second half but were undone when they failed to close down a shot on the edge of the box well enough and Cleary added his second goal of the game.
“I am really pleased with the performance,” said Greg. “We asked for application, and they have worked hard. We tried to work on certain things in the game, but we just couldn’t finish it off. We got into some great positions and had some great opportunities, but probably what has been our achilles heel this season, is that we couldn’t finish those moves off, but I am really proud of the boys today.”
Asked if his side deserved to get at least a draw from the game, Greg added: “I am always biased and I will say that we were the better team.
“We nullified their threats quite well. They had a few counters, where they got a few shots off. They had a strong striker, who got through a couple of times, but we felt we were in control of the game and, with a bit more care and a bit more quality at times, we would have probably gone on to win the game.
“However, late on in the second half, with the wind causing problems, the ball dropped out to the edge of the box and we don’t close down their player quick enough and they score. It is getting really frustrating for the lads, but I said at the end that if they keep performing then, hopefully, when they get to the next stage – the under-23s – they will start reaping the rewards like the lads in the under-23s are now.”
West Bromwich Albion: Hudd; Chidi, Phillips, Williams, Machisa; Richards (C), Higgins (Love, 60), Oliver; Cleary, Okaka (Lamb, 61), Heard.
Subs not used: Hollingshead, Hurlock.
Goals: Cleary (27, 61)
Bookings: Higgins (58), Chidi (90)
Norwich City: Trueman; A Trialist, Foyo, Hill (C), Matos, Renecke; B Trialist, Eze (Reindorf, 69), Welch; Coker (Roberts, 61), Aboh.
Subs not used: St Paul, Jambang.
Goals: A Trialist (49)
HT: 1-0
Venue: West Bromwich Albion Training Centre