NORWICH City Under-16s lifted the Ipswich Hospital Cup with a convincing victory over their East Anglian counterparts in front of over 1,000 people at Portman Road on Thursday night.

The trophy, which has historically been contested by the first teams of either club, will now return to Norfolk after a highly impressive performance from Graeme Murty's youngsters.

City's Academy side began well, and deservedly took an early lead when Glenn Middleton reacted quickest to fire home following a shot being blocked in the box.

Although Town rallied, the Canaries held firm before doubling their advantage shortly after when Benny Ashley-Seal turned well ahead of rifling a fierce effort low into the net.

Once more, the hosts looked for a response, but Andre Dozzell's free-kick was expertly kept out by a fine piece of goalkeeping from Fergal Hale-Brown.

Having weathered that storm, City ended the half on top and only a smart save from Town's Nick Hayes prevented them from taking a 3-0 lead into the break.

They would not have long to wait after the restart to extend their lead however, with Ashley-Seal's second goal of the evening on 49 minutes putting them firmly in control.

The Canaries maintained their level of performance for the remainder of the contest to become the first team to lift the trophy outright in over quarter of a century - with the most recent Ipswich Hospital Cup clash ending in a 1-1 draw back in 1990.

Proceeds from the match went to the East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH), which provides support and care for children and young people with life-threatening conditions across the region.

FULL-TIME: Ipswich Town 0-3 Norwich City

IPSWICH TOWN XI: Hayes; Colclough, Nydam, Downes, Cathline, Wolfenden, McKendry, Dozzell, Morris, Muamba, Meldrum. Subs (rolling): Fullwood, Wright, Hanson, Brown, Murrell, Lankester.

NORWICH CITY XI: Hale-Brown; Sambu, Syme, Pollock, Wallis, Ellesley, Da Costa, Aransibia, Ashley-Seal, McIntosh, Middleton. Subs (rolling): Payne, Dickerson, Dodden, Fleming, Odusina.

REFEREE: D Thorpe

ATTENDANCE: 1,091

HOSPITAL CUP REPORT: IPSWICH 0-3 U16s

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