Peterborough United Under 18s fell to a 6-2 defeat in a behind closed doors friendly against Norwich City at the Lotus Training Centre.
Posh competed well, but three quick-fire strikes gave Norwich a commanding lead in the first half, before the hosts added a fourth early into the second period, but Jimmy Unwin’s side improved and finished well with Max Beech scoring against the Canaries for the second time in a matter of days after featuring for the Under 21s at the weekend.
Both sides started the afternoon brightly; Posh looking comfortable in possession while their counterparts looked to soak pressure and catch the Posh out on the counter-attack.
Posh carved out their best opportunity of the first half on 19 minutes after Benjamin Marcano-McWilliams delivered an inviting ball to the back stick, with Beech just unable to force the ball home.
The hosts opened the scoring on 22 minutes when the Canaries’ frontman fired past Sakalas from close range.
Three minutes later, Norwich doubled their lead with almost a replica passage of play - this time a yellow shirt was afforded time to divert his header goal-wards following an inch-perfect whipped delivery to the back post.
Posh came close, Trialist A had an opportunity to halve the deficit on 29 minutes before firing his effort wide of the post.
The hosts made no mistake three minutes later, Sakalas denied the Canaries at the first time of asking, but could do nothing with the rebound.
Posh looked to improve and went searching for a route back into the game straight away, but found chances hard to come by and went into the interval three goals behind.
The Canaries fashioned another chance in the early moments of the second period; a precise strike from distance curled past substitute Ben Westcott and into the net.
Down the other end, Marcano-McWilliams picked out BEECH with a low cross deep into the hosts’ penalty area and the midfielder made no mistake.
Norwich restored their four-goal cushion a couple minutes later, before the Canaries then made it six on 68 minutes due to a defensive mix-up.
Posh took the game to their counterparts after that, with the pressure telling on 79 minutes after Eddie FOX made an instant impact from the substitute’s bench to grab a consolation.
Unwin’s side will face a stern test in Huntingdon on Sunday (1:30pm), as they conclude their pre-season programme.
Posh: Sakalas (sub Westcott 46min), Freeman (sub Gbajumo 66min), Fitzpatrick (sub Mendonca, 66min), Holley, Aikins, Gilbert, Marcano-McWilliams, Unwin (sub Fox 66 min), Trialist A (sub Changunda, 81min), Sykut (sub Davies 66min), Beech.
Half-Time: Norwich City Under 18s 3-0 Peterborough United Under 18s
Full-Time: Norwich City Under 18s 6-2 Peterborough United Under 18s