Norwich City Under-21s opened their National League Cup campaign with a 2-1 victory over Hornchurch on Tuesday evening.
Botan Ameen and Elliot Myles found the net either side of Josh Walker's equaliser to secure three points for Olly Lee's side.
Olly Lee named Vicente Reyes in goal, with Vatan Özcan, Luke Towler, Botan Ameen and Dylan Jones - all of whom featured for the senior side during pre-season - also handed starts.
With both sides making their debut in the competition, it was the Canaries who made the brighter start, with Jones going closest to breaking the deadlock after 15 minutes. The striker was picked out inside the six-yard box, but saw his effort blocked at close range.
City continued to push for the opener and were rewarded just after the half-hour mark. A loose ball fell kindly to Ameen on the edge of the area, and the winger made no mistake, seeing his effort take a deflection off the goalkeeper before nestling in the net.
The Canaries' lead was short-lived, however, with the hosts drawing level five minutes later. A free-kick was delivered towards the far post, where Walker was on hand to tap into an empty net.
The equaliser gave the hosts renewed momentum and they looked the more threatening side in the closing stages of the half, but the scores remained level at the break.
The hosts began the second half with the same intensity they had shown towards the end of the first, with Alexander almost putting the Urchins ahead just two minutes after the restart when he fired narrowly wide from the edge of the area.
City regained their advantage in the 52nd minute in spectacular fashion through Elliot Myles. Breaking on the counter, Jones brilliantly picked out the winger, who cut inside before curling an effort into the top corner.
The Canaries almost doubled their lead just two minutes later when Jones was found unmarked inside the area, but the striker could only fire his volley narrowly over the bar.
Reyes was called into action in the 72nd minute and produced an excellent save to deny Greenidge what looked to be a certain equaliser.
Toby Chilvers was introduced a minute later and was immediately involved, with his deflected effort falling to Towler on the edge of the area. However, City's No.10 couldn't keep his follow-up on target.
Despite late pressure from the hosts as they searched for an equaliser, Lee's side stood firm to open their Group B campaign with three points.
The young Canaries will begin their Premier League 2 campaign on Sunday, August 23, when they travel to Middlesbrough.
Hornchurch Starting XI: Byrne; Ling (Sandat 46), Edwards, Kizzi (Moralee 46), Greenidge; Ferguson, Wraight (C) (Powell 46), Walker (Kelman 46), Pegrum, Yearwood; Alexander
Unused Subs: Nasta, Inniss, Hearn
Goals: Walker (35)
Norwich City Under-21 Starting XI: Reyes; Mundle, Adelusi, Rowland, Özcan; Bracking (C), Domeracki (Chukwu 80), Ameen (Chilvers 73), Towler, Myles; Jones (Corke 80)
Unused Subs: Williams, Cooper, Gwanzura, Djedje
Goals: Ameen (30), Myles (52)
HT: 1-1
FT: 1-2
Venue: Hornchurch Stadium
Attendance: 356
