By Connor Armstrong
SUMMARY
Our under-18s rallied from a goal down to stage a late comeback and win 2-1 at Norwich City.
After falling just short in an attempted fightback in last week’s 3-2 loss to Fulham, this time Kwame Ampadu’s side went one better.
Benny Ashley-Seal put the Canaries in front in the first half, a lead which the hosts held until the 86th minute.
Zech Medley then levelled the scores with his first goal since joining the club.
Emile Smith-Rowe ensured the three points came back to north London with just one minute remaining, when some expert control and a powerful drive high into the net beat goalkeeper Fergal Hale-Brown.
SETTING THE SCENE
Ampadu named Joao Virginia in goal, with Jordi Osei-Tutu, Daniel Ballard, Kostas Pileas and Tolaji Bola making up the back four.
Marcus McGuane partnered captain Charlie Gilmour in central midfield, with Joe Willock and Medley on the flanks. Joe Willock and Zech Medley started out wide, with Robbie Burton in the hole.
Yassin Fortune led our attack, while Smith-Rowe started from the bench.
FIRST HALF
The hosts took an early lead when Bilal Kamal’s through ball after a quick free-kick enabled Ashley-Seal to slot past Virginia.
Davonte Arinsibia gave Ashley-Seal a terrific chance to double Norwich’s lead, but his effort clattered against the crossbar before being hacked away by Ballard.
The hosts dominated the opening period and Ampadu’s side could count their blessings that they were only one down at the interval.
SECOND HALF
The second period began in encouraging fashion for the Gunners when Norwich's Alfie Payne was dismissed after being shown two yellow cards for trips on Gilmour and Willock.
Burton rattled the crossbar soon after with a free-kick. Osei-Tutu then broke through on the right flank before crossing the ball, with Medley turning the ball home from close range to level the scores late on.
The winner came in the final 60 seconds of normal time, with substitute Smith-Rowe latching onto a clipped pass from Gilmour and elegantly flicking the ball away from the Norwich defence before powering an effort high into the Norwich goal.
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