An incredible four goals in 10 minutes saw Norwich City roar back to keep their FA Youth Cup dreams alive at Carrow Road tonight – and set up a potential clash with Manchester United.
Republic of Ireland youth international Adam Idah scored three of those goals to leave Barnsley crestfallen and wondering what had hit them.
The first half did not go to plan for the hosts though, striker Idah going the closest to a City goal when he fired just wide in the 15th minute.
The Tykes then took control of the game with their more physical approach and claimed the lead in the 27th minute when midfielder Matthew Wolfe surged forward and fired a low shot into the bottom-right corner from the edge of the box.
City were lucky to go into the break just one goal behind in truth, with Wolfe blasting another shot just wide and Amir Berkovits firing over at the back post after a fine cross from Kane Swinburn.
The Tykes flew out of the blocks as they looked to put the game to bed early in the second half, Sam Tingle forcing a sprawling save from Jon McCracken, Berkovits firing just over from a corner and then striker Tom Clare seeing a goal disallowed for offside after turning home a superb Berkovits cross from close range.
Then the game was completely flipped upside down – as the young Canaries plundered four goals inside 10 minutes to blow their opponents away.
Right-back Max Aarons charged forward to win a penalty in the 58th minute, which Idah initially saw saved, only to slide home the rebound. Just 60 seconds later Spyrou burst through and fired low past the keeper into the bottom-left corner to take a 2-1 lead.
A third goal in five minutes was scored when Alan Fleming, just on for Connor Parsons, crossed low from the right and Idah fired home at the near post.
The shell-shocked visitors conceded another five minutes later, as Idah showed good strength to hold off the grappling Robbie Miller, the referee playing a good advantage to allow the striker to stroke the ball into the bottom-right corner from 15 yards and complete a remarkable comeback.
A home tie against the U18s of Manchester United or Derby now awaits in the fourth round, who play their tie on Wednesday evening.
Norwich: McCracken; Aarons, Lomas, Odusina, Kamal; Parsons (Fleming 62), Payne (C), Barkarson; Spyrou, Idah, Thompson-Brissett. Unused subs: Dickerson (GK), Mehmeti, Ekumah, Barnes.
Booked: Barkarson (foul on Wolfe, 2), Odusina (handball, 90+2)
Goals: Idah 58, 63, 68, Spyrou 59
Barnsley: Greatorex; Gagen, Moon, Miller (C), Simpson (Alderton 84); Swinburn (Greenfield 74), Tingle, Wolfe, Berkovits; Clare (Willard 86), Ocran. Unused subs: Sandhu, Rangel.
Booked: Ocran (foul on McCracken, 3), Moon (foul on Idah, 36), Simpson (foul on Aarons, 81), Wolfe (90+3)
Goals: Wolfe (27)
Referee: Oliver Morris-Sanders
Attendance: 250 (estimated)
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