Striker Billy Clarke netted after two minutes to give Town's U18s a 1-0 victory over Norwich's youngsters in the Academy derby at Portman Road. The Blues were the better side throughout and the margin of victory flattered the visitors.

The 3,268-strong crowd was still filing into the Britannia Stand as Town scored their goal. Danny Haynes, the only player on show with first team experience, made a strong run and crossed for Clarke who beat Norwich keeper Joe Lewis.

Clarke almost added to his goal in the 14th minute when he was close to latching onto a Chris Casement header from a freekick on the right.

Liam Trotter floated a delicate chip just wide on 20, then Norwich had their first serious attempt on goal, but Glen Thrale's 25 yard strike didn't overly trouble Town's Icelandic keeper Óskar Pétursson, making his second appearance for the Blues since joining the Academy in the summer.

Pétursson and central defender Jack Haverson went for the same ball from a Norwich corner on the half hour, the loose ball falling for Matthew Halliday but the Canaries' central defender sent the ball over the bar.

Norwich midfielder and Robbie Savage look-a-like Robert Eagle, who was released by Town as a schoolboy, tested Pétursson further in the 37th minute, the Icelander failing to hold on to his shot and the ball going for a corner.

Clarke was again not too far from a second goal after keeper Lewis parried a 25-yard Danny Haynes freekick just wide of him.

The second half started more quietly than the thoroughly entertaining first and the visitors enjoyed their only spell of dominance early on, Pétursson saving an Eagle strike.

FA Youth Cup final goalscorer Edward Upson replaced Tony Boto for the last 35 minutes and the Blues started to regain the initiative. Clarke headed wide then, Haynes saw a 30-yard screamer fly inches past the post, Upson also shot wide and then Haynes put the ball in the sidenetting when perhaps he might have crossed.

There was a late scare for the Blues when Jamie Eames broke through one-on-one with Pétursson but the Town keeper saved well with his feet.

Jack Haverson headed wide from a corner in the closing minutes before Haynes was replaced by Charlie Sheringham after picking up what appeared to be an ankle injury.

A deserved win for the U18s with the defence rarely put under too much threat by the visitors. The pace of Haynes and Clarke gave the Norwich defence problems, although Haynes in particular tended to hang onto the ball for too long on occasion. In central midfield, Liam Trotter and Oliver Fenn had the better of their Norwich counterparts.

Edward Upson, 16 later this month, was very impressive as a second half sub and made one fantastic dribble into the box from the right, while Kieran Leabon had a busy 10 minutes or so when coming off the bench.

Earlier, at Playford Road, the U16s had defeated Norwich 3-2 in their derby, the Town goals coming from Jai Reason, Jordan Rhodes and Jack Ainsley.

U18s: 1 Óskar Pétursson, 2 Luke Webster, 3 Kurt Robinson, 4 Liam Trotter, 5 Chris Casement, 6 Jack Haverson, 7 Tony Boto (15 Edward Upson 53), 8 Oliver Fenn, 9 Billy Clarke (16 Kieran Leabon 80), 10 Danny Haynes (14 Charlie Sheringham 90), 11 Stuart Ainsley. Unused: 13 Andrew Plummer, 15 Björn Orri Hermannsson. Att: 3,268.

Photo: Action Images

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