Norman entertained Sprowston on a dull, damp Sunday afternoon after a week off due to a bye in the league cup 1st round. Norman started with the same 11 that done so well away vs Poringland, with Brandon B coming into the squad for the first time this season.
Sprowston kicked off and were soon caught in possession by a hungry Norman side, forcing an early corner. Jack R swung in a wicked corner and it curled inside the far post, much to everyones surprise, of the direct effort with just 50 seconds on the clock. Norman took a foothold in the game and kept pushing and harrowing a toothless Sprowston side. The pace of Shane E and Jack R were terrorising the Sprowston side all half. Sprowston could and should of gone down to 10 men on 17 minutes when their keeper raced out of the box and handled when Norman strode forward, the ref decided to give a hard word to the keeper instead. Norman extended their lead in the 20th minute when Dillon flick-headed home from an Isaac M free kick. Norman continued to dominate and were limiting Sprowston to only half chances which Joe P comfortably dealt with with safe hands. Sprowston pulled a goal back in 27th minute with a fine strike outside the box. On 33 minutes after a good Norman move down the right, Shane E played an exquisite pass through for the rampaging Connor S to lob over the advancing keeper and into the net. Sprowston were at sixes and sevens at the back. Norman counter attacked and Jack R looked to be clean through on halfway when the Sprowston defender went to ground and caught Jack R with studs showing on both feet, and again could feel lucky to stay on the pitch, Jack R had to come off as a result. Norman attacked again and from a free kick, Isaac M delightfully chipped a ball into the top left hand corner of the goal to give Norman a deserved 4-1 lead. As the half petered out, Norman needlessly gave away a penalty and allowed Sprowston back into the game. Half Time Norman 4 Sprowston 2.
Norman restarted the second half continuing their dominance from the first half. Reece M and Dillon R were particularly impressive in the centre as was Damon P at left back who continued his fine form this season. Isaac M and Alain E-M were outstanding at the back as Sprowston begining to get desperate started to turn to a long ball game which only played into Norman's hand as they soaked up the high balls with ease. Billy D was again playing well at right back. Norman continued to push but were creating less chances than the first half as alot more of the game was being played out in the middle third between the 2 midfields. Sprowston's pressure paid off in the 68minute they won a corner and when it was centered the Sprowston player rose highest to head home to set up a thrilling final 12 minutes. Norman held firm with neither side creating any clear cut chance, until the final 2 minutes when after a mistake by Norman, Sprowston broke, the forward rounded the keeper but going away from goal, the effort was goal bound until Alain E-M raced back from nowhere to put the ball out for a corner from the base of the post. The final whistle went ending an exciting game which Norman deservedly won. Full Time Norman 4 Sprowston 3. MOM Connor S.
The 1 single moment that typifies the Norman spirit this season, was the clearance in the final moments from Alain E-M. This perfectly shows exactly why Norman continue to upset and surprise. To me, this is no surprise, this has not happened by accident, a lot of hard work has been put in for months and now the lads are reaping the rewards. The lads continue to excel and work so hard for the team, they concentrate on their own tasks which pulls the team and performances together. So proud of everyone of you lads right now, keep it up, C'Mon Norman!!!!
