A YOUNG Norwich City XI shared four goals with Lowestoft Town in a 2-2 draw at Crown Meadow on Friday - a useful workout ahead of the opening Barclays U21 Premier League opener against Blackburn on August 20.

Under-21s Manager Scott Marshall took charge of the side, which other than substitutes Cameron King and Reece Hall-Johnson was made up of trialists.

City started well with youngster Jason Banton giving them a fifth minute lead with a well-placed long range effort that eluded the hosts’ ‘keeper Jake Jessup.

The Trawlerboys kept going however and drew level just before the break from the penalty spot. Winger Chris Henderson was adjudged to have been fouled inside the area by Paddy Hestor, allowing Dale Cockerill to convert the spot-kick, making it 1-1 at the break.

After the half time it was Town struck first in the 68th minute, as Robert’s Eagle’s centre found the head of Gaughran, who powered a header home for 2-1.

Less than 10 minutes later the hard-working City secured a well-deserved equaliser though, with George Brislen-Hall putting the finishing touch to a great move to score the final goal of the game and make it 2-2.

U21s boss Marshall told Canaries.co.uk afterwards: “I thought the lads did fine. It was a good test for them. Lowestoft were very direct, and it was a challenge physically for them, but I thought they coped with it well.

“It was a good game and very competitive – a proper game of football.

“Collectively they stuck together and I was pleased with the performance. The group have pulled together and there has been a little bit of spirit in that group of players.

“Having the trialists in has been quite a successful exercise, and we’re quite pleased with how it has gone.

“There’s a core of a squad here already, and building it will be an on-going process that won’t happen overnight.”

One player who didn’t feature for the City XI was under-18s player Josh Murphy, who was given a ten-minute run-out for the first team away at MK Dons, having impressed against Wroxham for Marshall’s side last time out.

He started on the bench alongside fellow second-year scholar Harry Barker for Chris Hughton’s side.

Marshall added: “The first team management have been very supportive of us, and it’s great that they are taking an interest and helping in the development of these players.

“Giving them a taste of it in pre-season is a great was for them to get some experience at that level.”

LOWESTOFT TOWN: Jessup, Gleeson, Ainsley, Jones, Gaughran, Mitchell, Eagle, Cockrill, Defty, Henderson, Cunningham
SUBS: Francis, Fisk, Stone, Crane, Clark, Amando, Gomes, Nelson

CITY XI: Hrabina, Mcneil, Hester, Durojaye, Gafati, McKenzie, Banton, Webb, Loza, Hawkins, Brislen-Hall

SUBS: Hall-Johnson, Dean, King, Sheriff

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