Warhurst broke the deadlock for City with a close-range finish before goals from La’Sean Sealey and Finlay Oligbo saw the hosts go in ahead at the break.
City, however, remained resilient and it was Warhurst who found the back of the Norwich net again to draw City level in the early exchanges of the second half.
It means the points were shared at the Avant Training Centre with City sitting joint-second in Group A.
WHAT HAPPENED
In the first group game of the Under-18 Premier League Cup, it was clear from the off that both City and Norwich were keen to begin their campaigns on a winning note.
The opening 15 minutes saw decent chances at either end of the pitch with skipper Rhys Thomas coming close to firing City ahead whilst Blues ‘keeper Max Hudson was called into action to deny Norwich at the opposite end.
And to lead coach Oliver Reiss’s delight, it was City who capitalised on an opportunity first.
Midfielder Seth Chingwaro won the ball in the Norwich box and made the composed decision to cut the ball back to Wahurst who fired into the top corner to give City the lead on 18 minutes.
The hosts, however, hit back and drew level 10 minutes later through a distanced strike by La’Sean Sealey which flew into the top corner and out of Hudson’s reach.
With Norwich continuing to press forward, the hosts struck again just before the break, Finlay Oligbo converting to put the young Canaries ahead at half-time.
City though responded in style by roaring back three minutes after the restart to draw level.
Warhurst’s 48th minute shot deflected out of the reach of home keeper Jack Ruddy.
The remainder of the match saw both sides struggle to carve out any definitive chances with both defensive lines proving tenacious.
Christian Dunbar-McDonald had City’s best chance of the second half, close to the final whistle.
The winger’s quick skills allowed him to cut inside and unleash a shot towards goal but Ruddy was able to collect and deny the young Blues a late triumph.
HOW WE LINED UP
Max Hudson got his first outing in goal for the Under-18s and was protected by a back four of Rhys Thomas, Harrison Parker, Kaden Braithwaite and Oliver Tevenan.
Femi Fapetu, Seth Chingwaro and Divine Mukasa were the trio tasked with orchestrating midfield.
Matty Warhurst led City’s attacking line with Christian Dunbar-McDonald and Ryan McAidoo on his left and right respectively.
NORWCH XI | Ruddy, Oligbo, Ozcan, Keita, Adelusi, Ofori-Manteaw, Northover, Mundle, Daley, Sealey, Chilvers.
SUBS | Own, Bucknar, Okipiabnele, Madu, Kipa.
CITY XI | Hudson, Thomas, Parker (Drake 13’), Braithwaite, Tevenan, Fapetu (Courtman 86’), McAidoo (Midwood 46’), Chingwaro (Fletcher 65’), Warhurst, Mukasa, Dunbar-McDonald.
SUBS | Whatmuff.
WHAT IT MEANS
City are joint second with Norwich in Group A of the Under-18 Premier League Cup.
Derby overcame Brighton which sees the young Rams top the group after the opening round of fixtures.
UP NEXT
City’s Under-18s are back on the road this weekend for a Premier League North trip to Everton.
Kick-off in Merseyside is scheduled for 11:30am (UK) on Sunday 1 September.
