Russell Osman's first game as Town's new U18 coach saw the Blues concede a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with local rivals Norwich City at a rain-drenched Playford Road on Saturday morning. Josh Carson, who was sent off late on, scored the Blues’ first and schoolboy Tommy Winter the second.

The Town youngsters started well and Joe Whight's early header was tipped over by visiting keeper Remi Matthews before Josh Meekings's header dropped inches wide from the resultant corner.

However, it took Town just 10 minutes to take the lead as Josh Carson cut in and hit a 20-yard left-foot shot that struck the bar before crossing the line.

The Canaries responded well and Ryan Oakley hit a shot just over before Town were forced into an early change with Elliot Scotcher coming off second-best in a nasty-looking challenge, schoolboy Byron Lawrence taking his place.

The dangerous Carson then hit the top of the bar with a dipping volley from 35 yards and the alert Tiofack's follow-up was blocked by Matthews.

Town were searching for a second before half-time and Whight's cross was headed goalwards by Carson but again, the ball flew just past the post.

In the third minute of stoppage time at the end of the first period, Town did score a deserved second. Callum Bennett chipped a lovely ball into Carson who hit a right-foot ball into the area and the unmarked Tommy Winter applied a simple finish to double Town's advantage.

Just seven minutes into the second half and the visitors pulled a goal back when Richard Brindley hit a low drive that skidded off the turf to beat Cody Cropper in the Town goal.

Norwich had certainly come out with renewed vigour in the second half and they grabbed an equaliser on 73 when Town failed to clear a corner and captain Matthew Ball turned and hit a shot into the roof of the net.

Both teams made some changes as the game entered its final stages but neither side could get a winner before influential midfielder Carson was dismissed for a second yellow card in injury time.

The Northern Ireland U21 international midfielder had, however, impressed throughout a game which had seen six yellow cards and one red.

Town shouldn't have let their two goal advantage slip, but it's now four games unbeaten for the youths who face a tough trip to Chelsea (KO 11am) next Saturday. Town's U16s beat the Canaries 3-1.

U18s: Cropper, Bennett, Whight, Jones, Meekings, McKeown, Tiofack, Scotcher (Lawrence 30), Burke, Carson, Winter (Simmons 82). Unused: Maduako, O'Donnell, Acott.

Report: James Ager

Photo: Action Images

Sindre94 added 15:30 - Feb 19 Good with 2 goals
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DiamondGezzer added 07:22 - Feb 20 Josh Carson, Shame about the sending off, but surely another talented player for the future of Town.
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tallguy6767 added 11:26 - Feb 20 great to see big russ back at the club, what a legend him and butch were at the back. can only be good for our youngsters this appointment.
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