Saturday saw the inaugural Derby Down Under between the Australasian Branch of the ITFC Supporters Club and their Norwich City counterparts, Canaries Down Under. Ed Parker, chairman of the Australasian Branch, talks us through another famous Town derby victory.

On a brilliant sunny Sydney Saturday afternoon, early season bragging rights were up for grabs as diehard supporters of Ipswich and Norwich were drafted in from as far a field as Brisbane, Adelaide, Newcastle, Woolongong and even a couple of Canaries from New Zealand to play in the first ever Derby Down Under.

On a pitch that left a bit to be desired, what some of the players lacked in skill, youth and fitness was more than compensated by determined enthusiasm and a good turn-out from both sides ensured that there was a constant rotation of players through the subs bench.

Town opened the scoring going 2-0 up before being pegged back to 2-2. Another burst of goals saw the Blues 4-2 up at the break.

But Norwich wouldn’t take that lying down, bringing themselves back into the game at 4-4.

Leo Chandiok thought he had scored the winner to put Town 5-4 ahead and the Blues tried to hold on for victory before conceding in the last minute. A minute that seemed to last for ever.

A hard-fought draw that was played in a respectful spirit. We agreed that none of us could handle playing extra-time and so we went straight to penalties.

After trying to find the exact location of the penalty spot, a nerve-wracking few minutes saw Town keeper Ollie Smith save one and Town score all five of theirs to win the penalty shootout 5-3.

There was a wonderful feeling of camaraderie between the two sets of players and supporters and plans are afoot to make the game an annual event.

Mark Larwood, co-founder of Canaries Down Under, tweeted after the match, “Massive congratulations to all those who helped make today great.”

The game also aimed to raise funds and awareness for our respective causes, the Norwich Community Sports Foundation, the Australian mental health charity Beyond Blue and the George Woodward Fund.

Photos: Helene Chandiok

Photo: Action Images

trncbluearmy added 14:58 - Aug 11 Nice one, u18`s beat scum as well. Wonder what`a next COYB
3

HarryfromBath added 15:00 - Aug 11 Thanks for sharing this great report, and hopefully the win is a good omen for Saturday week. The photographs are fantastic. Trying to work out the chronology of the shirts is also good fun.
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ollie_smith2001 added 15:38 - Aug 11 It was a brilliant day - thanks to Ed Parker for organising! Here's to next year!
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Fixed_It added 15:47 - Aug 11 Well done to all involved - and glad to see that bragging rights belong to Town. Also nice to see that their co-founder 'tweeted' after the match... ;)
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BiGDonnie added 16:44 - Aug 11 Epic!
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Sporall added 17:47 - Aug 11 Well done lads.
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BlueandTruesince82 added 18:16 - Aug 11 COYB!
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arc added 21:25 - Aug 11 Gave away a lead late. Hm. (Probably shouldn't have taken off a striker for an extra centre back...)
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ollie_smith2001 added 22:35 - Aug 11 @Arc - would have been nice to have had the luxury although I'm confident we had 5 at the back towards the end, with a sweeper, and 2 holding midfielders...
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TractorBeezer added 01:06 - Aug 12 Well done lads. Sounds like it was a smashing day...no doubt rounded off with a few beers to celebrate both wins.
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singingtheblues added 03:53 - Aug 12 a great day was had by everyone .. thanks for everyone that took part .. plans afoot for a rematch next year ! .. it would be nice to coincide with the end of season
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2_Goal added 23:18 - Aug 12 A day I'll never forget. Exciting game with loads of chances at both ends. And we won!!! My legs are still recovering days after...but so worth it! Well done lads.
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andym78 added 05:13 - Aug 13 Great day guys - was a pleasure to wear the town shirt and beat those canaries! Legs were in bits on Sunday! Keen to know about any future happenings in and around Sydney
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