Following a six month period without league football due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Norwich United finally got their 2020-21 Thurlow Nunn Premier League campaign under way with an action packed 4-3 away victory over Long Melford at Stoneylands.

Norwich United took control of the game from the start of the first half with Jordan Forbes surging forwards from right wing and causing problems for the Melford defence. Throughout the first half, the Planters looked to be in complete control allowing their 152 year old hosts few opportunities other than one powerful shot on target from Jamie Griffiths which was comfortably saved by Planters keeper Andy Wilton.

A foul on Norwich United striker Nathan Stewart after 13 minutes, led to the first penalty of the half, which Matty Daniels converting, to open the scoring for the Planters. Within ten minutes Club Captain Sam Watts added a second to The Planters tally, grabbing his first goal of the season following one of several dangerous corner deliveries from Haydn Davis.

As the half wore on Norwich United seemed destined only to increase their 2-0 advantage however a foul by Shaun Wones gave Melford a lifeline as they were awarded a penalty in the 38th minute which was smashed home gratefully by Nathan Rowe.

HALF TIME - LONG MELFORD 1 - 2 NORWICH UNITED

There can not have been many who would have predicted what happened next having watched the first half but on 52 minutes, Planters played themselves into trouble and allowed Jacob Brown to equalise for Melford. At 2-2 the momentum seemed to switch entirely with Melford suddenly controlling the play and Planters struggling to regain their composure.

On 57 minutes Norwich United fell behind for the first time in the game as Melford found themselves 3-2 up. The ball was worked across to the right and suddenly winger Callum Henson had acres of space to run into and slotted the ball past an out-rushing Wilton to give Melford an unexpected lead.

The game had turned on it's head and Melford very nearly made it four when Brown forced an excellent save to his left from Wilton in the Planters goal. However Norwich United refused to give up and managed to find their way back to parity on 65 minutes as a goal kick from Wilton was well won by Jack Hurrell who headed it on for the ever dangerous Nathan Stewart to chase down against the odds and slot home.

At 3-3 there was all to play for and an eventful, end to end half was settled in the 78th minute when Planters ruthlessly punished hesitation in the home defence, with Andy Eastaugh forcing the winning goal over the line, from close range to make the final score 4-3 to Norwich United.