Dominic McHale and Brandon Barker chipped in with a goal apiece, and a dazzling display in Norfolk ensured the young Blues put last week’s disappointing defeat to Blackburn firmly behind them.
The three precious points also ensure that qualification for the league’s knock out stages is still a possibility with two games remaining.
Last time these two teams met, a James Horsfield penalty looked as if it might secure all three points for the Blues, but a spectacular free kick from the Norwich captain ensured the spoils were shared.
For this trip, Adam Sadler made three changes from the side that started against Rovers last weekend.
Billy O’Brien was given a chance to impress between the posts after some assured performances for the U16 side in recent weeks. Outfield, Tosin Adarabioyo and Vlad Marin regained their starting places.
It was a slow start from both teams, but the match sparked into life after 12 minutes. Horsfield got free on the right after a quick short corner and put a low delivery into the box for Barker, who took one touch and then fired into the net.
The Blues were forced to wait for the second after going close with a succession of chances. Sadler’s side missed twice from close range, while Jack Byrne rattled the post from further out.
On 38 minutes, City did finally double their lead through Dom McHale, who started and finished the move after another good cross from Horsfield.
Goal number three arrived just before half time, with Horsfield heavily involved again. The youngster stole possession on the halfway line and surged strongly upfield to deliver a perfectly weighted through ball for a trialist to finish past the keeper after seeing his original effort saved.
It was beginning to look like a rout, and the Blues emerged for the second half with no indication that they were going to let Norwich off the hook.
O’Brien pulled off a smart stop from the home side’s free kick shortly after the restart and then instigated a lightning break. Barker exchanged passes with Byrne before a trialist joined the attack and rounded the keeper to make it four.
It ultimately proved the most exciting move of a more low-key second period. City didn’t exert quite the same dominance as in the first 45 minutes, but will still feel disappointed to not have added two or three more to the scoreline.
Norwich pulled one back with a spectacular strike from outside the box and maybe could have grabbed another with some near misses.
But it was a happy trip home for the Boy Blues with all three points safe. They are next in action away to Middlesbrough next Saturday.
