Norwich City 3 Gillingham 0

Last updated : 17 March 2004 By Footymad Previewer

On the eve of St Patrick's Day it was fitting that Northern Irish pair Paul McVeigh and Phil Mulryne should clinch victory for Norwich with a goal each.

After a goalless first half which saw the visitors reduced to ten men after just 26 minutes, the introduction of Mulryne inspired the home side to get their passing game together, demolishing Gillingham with three goals in four minutes.

The Gills kicked off and won a corner in the first minute, but Damien Francis brought the ball out of defence and released Darren Huckerby whose shot flashed wide of Steve Banks' right-hand post.

This was as close as either side came to scoring for the next 25 minutes, but Patrick Agyemang and Mamady Sidibe were a threat to the home defence and Agyemang had a shot blocked, before Huckerby was hauled back by Barry Ashby on the edge of the penalty area, reducing the visitors to ten men.

McVeigh's free-kick was turned around the post by Banks and it was not until the 38th minute that the home side came close to scoring when Francis was tackled as he was about to shoot.

At half-time, Francis was replaced by Mulryne and there was an immediate improvement in the Norwich passing.

Huckerby's shot was saved by Banks four minutes into the half.

Danny Spiller then fouled Huckerby and Norwich went ahead from the free-kick.

Matt Svensson played the ball to Ian Henderson on the right of the penalty area and when he drove the ball into the goalmouth Alan Pouton beat Malky Mackay to the ball, but only succeeded in driving it high into his own goal.

Mulryne made it 2-0 within two minutes when he headed in McVeigh's left-wing cross, beating Banks low down at the far post.

Huckerby then set up McVeigh with a pass to the left of the penalty area and he curled a right-foot shot inside the same post from 18 yards.

Banks did well to beat away a snapshot from Svensson as the Canaries went in search of further goals.

Banks kept the score at 3-0 with a spectacular save from Svensson, touching the ball on to the crossbar and in added time he denied substitute Ryan Jarvis with a reflex save.