U18 Report: Saints 4-2 Norwich

Merry opened the scoring in the first-half with a rebounded penalty, but Norwich equalised shortly after half-time through a Sufianu Sillah-Dibaga own goal.

Saints striker Josh Pitts made it 2-1 on 58 minutes, and Tyler Williams levelled things up for Norwich again when he netted a late penalty. But it was Saints who claimed the three points as two well-taken goals from Merry at the death gave his side victory.

The young side made five changes from their victory in the Servio Senior Cup in midweek as Jay Robinson and Joe Andrews returned from international duty to help pick up a first win of the league season.

Jay Robinson returned to the side after England U17 duty. (Photos: Matt Watson)

The first shot in danger came in the third minute as Norwich forward Harrison Thompson dragged his attempt across goal and wide of the far post.

Saints’ first shot on target was the next key action from the game and it was Merry who produced it after cutting in from the left and firing straight at Caleb Ansen in the Norwich goal.

A very similar move from Merry then saw him go even closer to breaking the early deadlock with 15 minutes on the clock.

He pushed across the Norwich area and arrowed a strike towards the top corner, but Ansen flew to his left to make the crucial intervention.

Saints did manage to find the opener on 25 minutes when they were awarded a penalty, and again it was Merry who was heavily involved.

The winger’s driving run towards the byline drew a clumsy challenge, and Merry then picked himself up to take the resulting spot-kick – finding the net with the rebound after his initial effort was saved.

Will Merry celebrates opening the scoring.

The hosts held their lead comfortably until the latter stages of the first-half when the game sparked into life once again.

Dylan Moody was forced into his first save of the contest when he deflected Alfie Doy’s low strike away from danger with his feet, before the lively Merry was unfortunate not to double his tally at the other end when he met a cutback in the middle of the area but saw his side-footed effort blocked.

Norwich found their first leveller shortly into the second-half when a low cross saw Miles Bracking hit the post and the ball rebound into the Saints net off of the unfortunate Okonola-Matthews, who had little time to react at close-range.

However, Saints regained their lead on 58 minutes when Norwich’s defence failed to deal with a loose ball in their half and Pitts took full advantage by getting the final touch ahead of visiting goalkeeper Ansen to roll home.

Josh Pitts (R) scored Saints' second goal.

Norwich almost responded when substitute Hugo Valencia-Gomez flicked an effort goalwards with the outside of his right foot that dropped wide of the far post.

Another good opportunity for the visitors came when they were awarded an indirect free-kick in the Saints area with their pressure mounting.

The resulting strike on goal had enough power but, with plenty of bodies back on the line, Saints blocked the shot excellently to retain their advantage going into the latter stages.

However, Norwich found their second equaliser in the 85th minute when they were awarded a penalty of their own.

Demari Daley was fouled in the area attempting to shoot and midfielder Tyler Williams calmly tucked home his shot from 12 yards.

The late drama was not done there though, and Merry proved to be Saints' hero when he netted two late goals to confirm the win.

His second goal of the game saw him cutting in from the left once again and firing a low strike under Norwich goalkeeper Ansen, before he dispatched his hat-trick powerfully with his left foot and high into the net after he'd weaved his way into a shooting position in the area.

Saints are in action in the Under-18s Premier League again on Saturday 23rd September when they travel to face Arsenal away from home, with kick-off at 11am.

Saints: Moody, Okonola-Matthews (Martin 66), Moore (c), Fry (Myers 78), Shead, Andrews, Sillah Dibaga, Daley (Sesay 78), Pitts, Robinson, Merry.

Subs not used: Upstell, McMullan.

Goals: Merry 27, 89, 90+1, Pitts 58.

Yellow cards: Fry 28, Moore 42, Andrews 51, Pitts 76.

Norwich: Ansen, Pinyoun, Owen, Ofori-Manteaw, Doy (c), Williams, Thompson (Sealey 63), Chilvers, Mundle-Smith (Daley 63), Amadou (Valencia-Gomez 64), Bracking.

Subs not used: Bullen, Simbai..

Goals: Okonola-Matthews 47 (og), Williams 85 (pen).