John Henry's side suffer slender defeat at Norwich's Colney Training Ground
Wanderers’ under-21 side suffered a narrow defeat in their league clash with Norwich City at Colney Training Ground on Monday afternoon.John Henry’s team took a second-half lead courtesy of Adam Blakeman’s 49th minute penalty, but the home side hit back immediately through a Ramil Sheriff header.
Shortly afterwards Sheriff saw red for a foul on Chris Lester, but the Canaries claimed a late winner when Cameron King volleyed home from inside the area.
In an even opening period, it was City who went closest to making the breakthrough as striker Jamar Loza headed Jacob Murphy’s corner narrowly wide from a good position in the third minute.
Wanderers hit back with an Oscar Threlkeld header in the 17th minute which seemed destined for the corner of the net, but Canaries defender Harry Barker did well to make a goal-line clearance as the scores remained level at the break.
Henry’s side came out for the second half with a spring in their step and got their reward within four minute as the referee awarded a penalty for a foul on Sanmi Odelusi by defender Adel Gafaiti.
Blakeman was the man who stepped up to the spot, and he made no mistake from 12 yards firing into the top right corner past a diving Jed Steer.
Just five minutes later Gafaiti came within inches of making amends as his downwards header from a Michael Clunan ball was spectacularly scooped off the line by Rob Lainton.
The Canaries were beginning to control the play as they powered forward for an equaliser, and despite some resolute defending, they finally got their reward on 64 minutes as Sheriff rose highest to meet Clunan’s free-kick to head home from inside the box.
However, just nine minutes later the City captain was given his marching orders for what the referee deemed to be a dangerous tackle on Lester.
But despite the disadvantage, Norwich grabbed a late winner when King’s volley from Jacob Murphy’s right-wing corner flew past Lainton.
Norwich:Steer; McNeil, Barker, Gafaiti, Sheriff, Clunan, Hall-Johnson (Norman 81), King, Josh Murphy, Jacob Murphy, Loza)Unused substitutes: McGeehan, Matthews, Hodd, Morris)
Wanderers: Laintion, Hampson, Kellett, McQuade, Threlkeld, McKee, Lester, Kelly, Odelusi (Clough 80), Wolstenholme, Blakeman (Youngs 80) Unused substitutes: Woodland, Fielding, Maher)