GARY Doherty and Mark Fotheringham began their comebacks from injury this evening, completing 65 minutes of City Reserves' 5-2 victory over Northampton Town at Carrow Road. It was the first competitive action that the players had seen since recovering from long spells on the sidelines with injury.

Manager Ricky Martin started with eight members of the first team squad, and not surprisingly the it was the Canaries who dominated the early possession. City deservedly took the lead in the 21st minute.   

Rossi Jarvis cut in from the left and drove into the area before delivering a powerful shot with his right foot that was two much for visiting 'keeper Bankole to keep out.

City doubled the score in the 28th minute from the penalty spot as a Northampton defender was adjudged to have handled in the area. Jimmy Smith stepped up and placed the ball in the bottom left-hand corner sending the 'keeper the wrong way.

The visitors halved the deficit in the 36th minute with their first real effort of the game. A cross from Joe Benjamin found Wes Emery in the box and the striker turned sharply before placing the ball past the outstretched hand of James Hollman into the bottom right corner of the City goal.

Benjamin went from provider to goalscorer at the beginning of the second period. The Canaries failed to deal with a corner in the 50th minute which fell to the number nine in the six-yard box before he drilled the ball into the roof of the net, leaving Hollman with no chance.

City regained the lead in the 56th minute. A cross from the left caused problems in the Northampton six-yard box as Doherty made a nuisance of himself in the mass of claret shirts. In the confusion the ball appeared to come off a Cobblers defender's head into his own net.

City made it four in the 65th minute when a fantastic Rossi Jarvis cross was met by a David Strihavka diving header which found the back of the net.

After playing 65 minutes of their comebacks, Ricky Martin took off Doherty and Fotheringham immediately after the goal.

Substitute Luke Daley added a fifth from close range in added time to complete the Reserves' victory.

Norwich City Res: Hollman, Bexfield, Rossi Jarvis, Doherty (Miller 65), Halliday, Kelly, Smith, Fotheringham (O'Toole 65), Eagle, Strihavka, Yong (Daley 83) Subs not used: Lathrope, McLean,

Attendance: 1148