GRAEME Murty was pleased with how his Norwich City Under-18s' 'met the theme' despite going down to a late 1-0 defeat to Swansea City at Colney Training Centre on Saturday.

The hosts saw substitute Owen Wallis sent off in the second half, before Jordan Garrick volleyed home with five minutes remaining to give the away side all three points.

Reflecting on the dismissal, Murty told canaries.co.uk: "We had to manage the situation leading up to it so we don't give the referee a chance to make a decision.

"That's the teaching point we'll be conveying to the players. Overall however, I thought the players were excellent and met our theme of playing out from the back.

"The performance really encapsulated that, but we still need to be more clinical. That's the case both offensively and defensively in order to get the results they deserve.

"Scoring when you're on top is critical, no matter what level of football you're playing. We moved the ball as we had all season, even when we were down to ten men, so I was proud of that."

With the Club's Academy having been subject to an audit during the latter stages of last week, Murty also praised what was shown by his players and staff.

"Over the course of the week we gave a very good reflection of what we do on a daily basis," he explained.

"That was exemplified on Saturday, because we approached the game with our own philosophy. We look to ensure our players have a very well-rounded education, so we try not to over-coach.

"Some decisions went against us in the game, but we didn't overreact. We let the players come to the forefront, and I thought they expressed their abilities really well."

NORWICH CITY: Oxborough; Ramsay, Syme, Pollock (Black, 60), Odusina, Ellesley (Wallis, 45), Higgs (Da Costa, 45), Sambu, Couzens (c), Kamal, Jaiyesimi. Subs not used: Beauchamp (GK).

REPORT: U18s 0-1 SWANSEA

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