A young Town reserve side beat their more experienced Norwich counterparts 3-0 at Portman Road on Monday night. The goals came from Ian Westlake, Danny Haynes and Jaime Peters, while Liam Craig missed a first half penalty.

Town included Ian Westlake, who was making his return from an injury picked up at Charlton reserves, Shane Supple, Scott Barron, Jaime Peters and Billy Clarke. The visitors included Paul Gallacher, Craig Fleming, Simon Charlton and Ryan Jarvis.

The home side made the better start and Westlake curled a free-kick from 20 yards out just wide after Billy Clarke had been fouled.

Two minutes later, a good short corner routine resulted in Clarke firing just wide of Gallacher's post from eight yards out.

Soon after, Clarke was involved in Town's first goal. A wonderful lay-off from the young Irish striker resulted in Westlake stretching out his foot and toe-poking the ball into the net.

Clarke was in the thick of the action again on 12 minutes, but this time his dipping volley from 20 yards was parried up in the air by Gallacher and Danny Haynes headed wide from a good position on the rebound.

On 20, Gerard Nash flicked a Liam Craig corner just wide after good work on the right by Danny Haynes.

Seven minutes later, Jaime Peters put in a lovely low cross into the visitors' area but the ball was touched onto the post by Haynes who had a Norwich defender in close attention. The ball went out for a goal kick.

On 32, Town were awarded a penalty by referee Mr Wright. Craig's corner was attacked by Nash before he was pulled back by his marker and the referee pointed to the spot. Craig stepped up but his penalty was well saved by Gallacher and the ball went out for a corner.

Five minutes before half-time Town had another good opportunity to score after they broke from a Norwich free-kick. Clarke played the ball to Peters who fired the ball in too hard into Trotter who couldn't control on his chest.

With seconds remaining before the half-time whistle, another Craig corner was met by Nash, but his powerful header was cleared by the defender on the post.

Town made a double substitution at half-time with Owen Garvan replacing Westlake in midfield and Chris Casement coming on for Gerard Nash at centre-half. Norwich introduced Daniel Hunter for Peter Asprey.

Two minutes after the break and Clarke was again causing the Norwich defence problems. He picked up the ball and beat two defenders before getting it onto his left foot and firing just over.

Ryan Jarvis then gave Norwich their best opportunity of the match when he won the ball and fired in a very dangerous cross but none of his teammates were in the box.

Town doubled their advantage on 60 minutes when a long ball over the top from Aidan Collins gave Haynes the opportunity to run onto it before taking a touch and firing in. Haynes is a former Norwich trialist was clearly delighted to have scored against the Canaries.

Norwich then made their second substitution five minutes later when Andrew Fulcher replaced Chris Kerr. On 72, Darryl Knights came on for Haynes.

Town scored their third with eleven minutes remaining. Peters picked up the ball after Clarke had chased down the visitors' defence. The Canadian winger beat one man before firing across the keeper and into the net.

A very, very good performance from a young Town side. The defence looked solid with Collins and Nash controlling everything in the air and on the floor. Liam Trotter particularly impressed in midfield whilst Billy Clarke has obviously received a big confidence boost after making his first team debut.

Town's next home reserve match, against Fulham on January 16th, is being played at Needham Market's Bloomfields ground. The move is designed to reduce the damage to the Portman Road pitch during the winter months.

Reserves: 1 Shane Supple, 2 Sammy Moore, 3 Scott Barron, 4 Ian Westlake (12 Owen Garvan, 45), 5 Aidan Collins (c), 6 Gerard Nash (13 Chris Casement, 45), 7 Jaime Peters, 8 Liam Trotter, 9 Billy Clarke, 10 Danny Haynes (14 Darryl Knights, 72) and 11 Liam Craig. Unused: 15 Russell Short and 16 Cathal Lordan.

Norwich: 1 Paul Gallacher, 2 Liam Smith, 3 James Cole, 4 Lee Howlett, 5 Craig Fleming (c), 6 Simon Charlton, 7 Chris Kerr (12 Andrew Fulcher, 65), 8 Robert Eagle, 9 Ryan Jarvis, 10 Rossi Jarvis and 11 Peter Asprey (14 Daniel Hunter, 45). Unused: 13 Steven Arnold (GK). Ref: Mr K Wright. Att: 890.

Report: James Ager.

Photo: Action Images

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