Norwich City Under-18s came from behind twice to earn a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Reading in the Under-18 Premier League, with Joseph Kipa scoring both goals for the young Canaries.
The hosts made a bright start and Lucas Alvarado was called into action inside the opening three minutes, saving Jayden McDonald’s effort from inside the area.
Reading took the lead on 13 minutes when Matthias Ojo finished from close range following Kenaya Kaninda’s assist, but Norwich responded almost immediately. Just a minute later, Kipa raced forward on the counter-attack before firing into the bottom corner to restore parity.
Kipa almost added a second shortly afterwards, testing Franky Rose from the right of the area, while Aaron Goodson also saw an effort saved as the Canaries looked to take control.
However, Reading regained their advantage five minutes before the break, with Ojo completing his brace after being played through by Lucas Daka on the counter-attack.
Reading almost doubled their advantage early in the second half when Ojo’s header struck the post, but Norwich responded well and soon found their equaliser.
After Alvarado had made an important save to deny Christian Cary, Norwich broke forward and Goodson picked out Kipa, who finished confidently into the bottom corner to make it 2-2 on 57 minutes.
Both sides continued to threaten, with Cary striking the crossbar with a free-kick for Reading, while Goodson came agonisingly close to putting Norwich ahead, seeing his effort crash against the woodwork.
The Canaries continued to push for a winner, with Henry Edwards, Goodson and Bobby Crane all testing Rose in the closing stages.
A lengthy period of stoppage time added further drama, with Alvarado forced off through injury and replaced by William Bullen. The substitute was immediately called upon, producing an excellent save to deny Cary’s header in the 100th minute.
Neither side could find a decisive breakthrough, and Norwich had to settle for a point after an entertaining encounter.
Reading: Rose; Beacroft, Heywood, Fewings, Kaninda; Cary, Daka, Brooks, Allsopp, Ojo; McDonald
Subs: Agyekum, Berkeley-Agyepong, Coffey, Goulding, Hollidge, Imafidon, Lewis
Norwich City: Alvarado (Bullen 90+8); Oldfield, Munikwa (Crane 72), Augusto, Leech, Collins, Duffy (Cork 72), Goodson, Roberson, Kipa, Edwards (Allen 83)
Subs not used: Anashe Munikwa, Roebuck, Ukpanwanne
Goals: Ojo (13, 40); Kipa (14, 57)
Half-time: 2-1
Full-time: 2-2