Photo Gallery: Norwich City 1, Ajax 1

Norwich City skipper Grant Holt holds off Ajax's Joel Veltman. Picture: Paul Chesterton / Focus Images

David Cuffley Tuesday, July 31, 2012
9:36 PM

Norwich City fans were given their first fleeting glimpse of new signing Robert Snodgrass at Carrow Road – but pass masters Ajax dominated possession in the first home pre-season friendly under new manager Chris Hughton.

Scotland international Snodgrass played the final 20 minutes against the Dutch champions, four days after his arrival from Leeds United, but by then the visitors had a grip on the game, while failing to turn territorial advantage into goals.

It finished honours even with Anthony Pilkington scoring a superb free-kick to give the Canaries a seventh-minute lead, and Lasse Schone levelling with a cracking long-range effort after 30 minutes.

Manager Hughton made 10 changes to the side that started Saturday’s 2-0 win at Peterborough, with only Russell Martin retained – and he had played only the first 45 minutes at London Road.

Snodgrass was named among the substitutes, but defender Michael Turner was not included in the squad and injured quartet Steven Whittaker (ankle), David Fox (knee), Jacob Butterfield (knee) and Tom Adeyemi were again absent.

The first period was notable for two splendid goals, Pilkington giving the Canaries an early lead but Schone levelling on the half-hour.

There was a lucky escape for City in the second minute when Jody Lukoki went past left-back Marc Tierney and his cross was clipped on to the bar by Danish star Christian Eriksen.

It was Ajax’s turn for a slice of good fortune in the seventh minute when James Vaughan was blatantly pulled down by Joel Veltman just outside the penalty area as he pursued a neatly flicked header by Grant Holt, but there was not even a yellow card shown.

Their reprieve was short-lived, however, as Pilkington stepped up to score with a superb curling free-kick, giving goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen no chance.

Ajax continued to look sprightly, however, and Eriksen tried an ambitious long-range shot after 18 minutes but was well off target.

Stefano Denswil headed over from an Eriksen corner as the Dutch side continued to enjoy greater possession.

They were rewarded on the half-hour when they equalised through midfielder Schone, who took possession 25 yards out and struck a glorious right-foot shot that flew high past ’keeper John Ruddy’s despairing dive.

A cross from Russell Martin had Cillessen stretching to punch clear, and the full-back distinguished himself again moments later when he raced back to dispossess Thulani Serero.

• Half-time: Norwich City 1, Ajax 1.

Hughton made a half-time change as Wes Hoolahan replaced Vaughan, while Ajax made two substitutions as defender Ruben Ligeon and midfielder Vurnon Anita, once said to be a target for City, entered the fray at the expense of skipper Gregory van der Weil and the impressive Eriksen.

The Dutch looked as if they meant business from the restart, Bradley Johnson making one important block from Serero.

City were at full stretch when Lukoki almost cashed in on Denswil’s through-ball by flicking it beyond Ruddy, but Ryan Bennett came to the rescue.

There were long spells when City simply couldn’t get the ball, except for breaking up Ajax’s flowing passing moves with the odd last-ditch interception.

With Holt now playing as the one striker, it was a lonely existence, but reinforcements arrived with 20 minutes left as Snodgrass, Andrew Crofts and Andrew Surman replaced Elliott Bennett, Pilkington and Jonny Howson.

City’s capture from Leeds arrived to a great reception and took up the wide right role previously occupied by Bennett and, with 12 minutes left, Steve Morison arrived as Holt’s replacement.

There were three more late changes as Hughton used most of the players at his disposal, but Ajax finished stronger and Siem de Jong was close to snatching a winner from Dico Koppers’ cross, only for Simon Lappin to deflect his header wide of target.

• Norwich City: Ruddy; Russell Martin (Barnett, 86), Ryan Bennett, Ward (Ayala, 86), Tierney (Lappin, 86); Elliott Bennett (Snodgrass, 70), Howson (Crofts, 70), Johnson, Pilkington (Surman, 70); Vaughan (Hoolahan, 45), Holt (Morison, 78). Subs (not used) Rudd, Jackson, Chris Martin.

• Ajax: Cillessen; Van der Wiel (Anita, 45, De Jong 70), Veltman, Denswil, Koppers; Schone; Lukoki, Serero, Eriksen (Ligeon, 45), Ebecilio; Klaassen. Subs (not used) Vermeer, Alderweireld, Ozbiliz, Van Rhijn.

• Referee: Mike Jones (Chester)

• Attendance: 16,708

• Goals: City: Pilkington (7). Ajax: Schone (30)

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24 comments

Like you, Preston, I thought the "Tom & Korey Show" was imminent but it hasn`t materialised. They are still very young. KS was pivotal in the L1 promotion season. I hope they don`t just drift away and disappear; they`re better than that. I remember that "Orange Tree" lager from a school trip to Holland when I was about 14. Got terribly drunk & sick (on 3 bottles). Told teacher in charge I thought it was orange juice! Thanks for spotting the BTB thing. Seemed sort of right, somehow! I won`t be badgered out of fighting him off! OTBC.

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Mad Brewer

Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Oranjeboom - I seem to remember was a lager I used to buy on special offer from Bargain booze when I was a student. It was quite nice, and is more expensive now. So are we now calling him Tuberculosis Billy, Brewer!! As for Adeyemi, I have been wondering about him as well JGL. I remember when he played in the pre season friendly against Man Utd, back in the dark days, just before THAT result, and he absolutely ran the midfield. I thought then that he was going to be our next big player to make it, but then change of manager and Korey moved ahead of him in the pecking order and he hasn't had a look in since.

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Preston Canary

Wednesday, August 1, 2012
I`ve already thanked you on another board canarydownunder (though it WAS ethered!). The thing about JV going out on loan is that he takes his injury history with him (to Blackburn?). So what if he does get another chronic injury? Blackburn send him back with a note "Sorry we seem to have broken him". Then what? If his injury problems ARE in the past, let`s give him a go!! FGS! I have willed C. Martin to step up, but I think he`s a better candidate for loaning out to a Championship outfit than JV is. I`m sure Hoots must know what he`s doing. Only paper talk just now, anyway. All Rhodes from Yorkshire lead to Carra Rud......

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Mad Brewer

Wednesday, August 1, 2012
cdu adelaide is an imposter, MB - I'm in Sydney! I'm the same age as Timbo. Of course, I meant to say C Martin was an UNused sub - I rather he was linked with loan move than Vaughan - although JV injury history is a worry.

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canarydownunder

Wednesday, August 1, 2012
canarydownunder, please de-confuse me. Are you one and the same as "canarydownunder adelaide?". There are 3 manifestations of norfolk and good in slightly different formats too (I think)! Its like folk getting billy TB confused with "Sensibilly, aka just Billy). cdu-ad seems to be an elderly ex-pat. I`ve asked him the test questions about Wroxymorons and Festivals of Light & Bitter, so I may be repeating myself!! OTBC.

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Mad Brewer

Wednesday, August 1, 2012
twas a good game last night but city just didn't look right in black playing at home. those who i spoke to at half time were wondering if they would turn out for the second half in the correct colour, but alas no. we did well but they need to pull their fingers out at times. roll on the Prem season

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magicman

Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Thanks, Ed.

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Mad Brewer

Wednesday, August 1, 2012
MB and others. CanaryPlayer is one of the links off the website and costs around £40 a year. You can listen to full match commentary of every leagueleague cup and FA cup game, plus you get extended highlights of each game a couple of days after the actual game, so quite good value I feel. PS - I agree, Pilk's goal was a beaut and let's hope he can keep knocking those in!!!!

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Mr Ed

Wednesday, August 1, 2012
City did very well to keep the score at 1-1 Ajax were very good at keeping possession and City were very good at keeping them from scoring. Big improvment in defence kept the opposition out for 30 mins which is twice as long as most games last season. Ajax were a very good side to test the defence of City and must give more of an idea of what to expect in the new season than teams like Peterborough.

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goldie

Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Over 16,000 - eyes going!!

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Mad Brewer

Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Mr. Ed, what`s "Canaryplayer"? Is it freely accessible? I`d love to see that goal. I think Pilks might provide a few more if he plays often enough - 8 last season. Disappointed the game wasn`t on Radio Partridge. I was offered a lift to the game & back but really didn`t feel up to the hustle & bustle. Good turnout, though. Proper fans @ The Carra! OTBC. PS. Do we need to get in a FB, maybe on loan?

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Mad Brewer

Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Vaughan is a feisty little booger, isn`t he, norfolkngood? Well, not so little really. Great attendance at over 18,000 - Soton fans must be philistines to miss out on that experience (I did, feeling under the weather). :-(. Holty & Vaughan in partnership would be about the most belligerent twin-striker set-up in the Prem! The Mad Bruisers. The "punability" of the Lowlanders is rich. The troll, Ged Serero. The Australian ex property-to-let man, Bruce Ozbillets. When we qualify for European competition, the Carra Catering could go all Continental. Anita`s Contra Septive Salad with French Lettuce & Dutch Capsicum. Eaten as a starter, Denswilled down with Kopperberg.... Things are Oranjebooming.. ;-)

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Mad Brewer

Wednesday, August 1, 2012
We spent a lot of time defending and, unusually, didn't concede. Didn't look especially effective up front, but, I guess that's the way it goes. Vaughan looked hungry but he will have to watch it in the Prem or he could fall "foul" of picky officials.

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norfolkngood

Wednesday, August 1, 2012
I notice that only 5700 attended Southampton's home game against Ajax. Such a disappointment for one of the "big clubs" in the Premiership.

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cornwallcanary

Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Mr Ed, Pilks Goal was a peach. Well up there with the one against the Villians last season. We looked good in my opinion against a Far better side. Held our own for much of the game although Ajax did dominate possession we had some good movement. The Team is looking Strong and Snoddy looks like a great addition. OTBC

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CanarySid

Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Ajax are a Champions League side and starting their campaign on Saturday. A 1-1 draw is a good result. I understand that they dominated the possession but we limited them to long-shots and that has to be a step up for the defensive capabilities of the team. Good to see Pilks scoring from a free-kick in, that will really help his confidence. Snodgrass' post match interview was impressive, clearly a smart cookie. Wivenhoe makes an important point about the pun-potential of Dutch teams; I hope this point is not lost in the Goldmembers Lounge where these decisions are made.

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Swiss Canary

Wednesday, August 1, 2012
can city arrange games against the dutch on at least 2 games a pre season as . the potential for puns from the teamsheets are just too good . And the quality of the opposition is good too. and any news about young Korey would be welcome

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wivenhoebudgie

Wednesday, August 1, 2012
MB - Apparently, Whittaker will miss the Fulham game at least. Can't wait to see Pilk's goal on Canary Player, as apparently it was a beaut - up there with his goal against the Villans last season.

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Mr Ed

Wednesday, August 1, 2012
I see C Martin was an used sub. No goals so far in pre-season. Seems to me that he is the most likely one to be moved on to make way for a new forward.

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canarydownunder

Wednesday, August 1, 2012
I expect they thought we`d all be tucked up in bed before midnight, kevin! Agree with Michael D ref. Korey Smith. I hope Vaughan`s half time withdrawal was not an injury - maybe just trying out the lone striker format? How serous is Whittaker`s?

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Mad Brewer

Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Adeyemi is still recovering from injury but the person who is not and has become totally anonymous is Korey Smith. I'm sorry to see that. Technically I think he is superior to Crofts, and I had hoped after his brilliant start two seasons ago, he might have been given a little more opportunity at this level

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Michael D

Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Snodgrass has some wonderful vision and pass execution blimey. As for the rest, looked pretty good, we look more solid if anything. I think Hughton has definitely done the old school establish the foundationrock at the back and build from there.

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Billy

Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Why isn't Adeyemi getting a look-in? From what I've seen of him, he's one of the brightest young prospects at the club.

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Johnny Gavin Lives

Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Last night? i thought it was tonight???

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kevin

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

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Norwich City 1, Ajax 1

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