THE appearance of first team striker Chris Martin leading the attack was not enough to prevent City's Under 18s slumping to a 4-1 defeat away at West Ham.

Martin, fresh from his hat-trick for the reserves in the midweek 5-0 win at Luton, had been tipped for a recall to Glenn Roeder's senior squad for the trip to Cardiff on Saturday.

But instead the Academy product (pictured) found himself back in the youth team, alongside Luke Daley up front.

Norwich had enjoyed a bright opening to the match, but fell behind on 31 minutes when the home side scored from the penalty spot. Three minutes later and things worsened for Norwich when the Hammers doubled their lead.

On 42 minutes Norwich were handed a lifeline when defender Tom Miller pulled one back from a set-play.

After the break City seemed to be pushing for an equaliser, but on 52 minutes West Ham made the game safe with their third of the game.

That goal seemed to drain the confidence from the fledgling Canaries, with the Hammers completing the scoring in stoppage time.

Full time: West Ham U18 4-1 Norwich City U18

Norwich: Rudd, Haynes, O'Toole, Smith, Miller, Habergham, Daley, R Kelly (Lathrope 65), D Kelly (Richardson 80), Martin, Smart.

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Tom Adeyemi was twice on target for the Under-16's as they drew 2-2 with their West Ham counterparts with City keeper Jed Steer pulling off a penalty save for the Canaries.