Norwich City started their pre-season preparations in positive fashion, beating League One Northampton Town 3-0 at Sixfields.

There were questions over whether head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup's style would yet have perforated his new group of players, but within seconds City had enjoyed success with the method he'd promised.

Before the hosts had even touched the ball Borja Sainz had led a possession-based and fluid move, Jack Stacey's low cross turned behind before Abu Kamara could tap home.

It didn't take long for the opener to come from the same source, however, another Stacey cross finding Jonathan Rowe's dart inside and the winger's header beating Lee Burge all ends up.

After a brief spell of Cobblers dominance the visitors were back in control, captain Gabriel Sara's driving run ending in an ambitious effort from midfield partner Jacob Sorensen. He missed the mark with his half-volley, but again Rowe hit the target.

This time it was more defensive lapse than attacking genius, Jon Guthrie's missed clearance allowing him to round Burge and roll into an empty net.

The 21-year-old could have completed his hat-trick when he found his way to the box again just 14 minutes in, but he unselfishly found Abu Kamara with room to shoot. On his weawer foot he looked less assured, however, and saw his low drive easily cleared.

The game entered a typical pre-season lull midway through the opening period, but burst back into life in the 29th minute, a series of headed chances coming after Rowe's latest effort was turned behind for a corner.

The home crowd were finally given something to savour when a quick move allowed Mitch Pinnock to cross two minutes later, but Callum Morton couldn't quick reach his tantalising ball in.
Although the majority of the fixture was about patient build-up and calm possession work for Norwich, they showed they could still counter at pace. Christian Fassnacht found Rowe again with only one defender to beat and eventually he did, but the English youth international couldn't get past Burge again.

Rowe had one final attempt nine minutes from half time, cutting inside and attempting to curl toward the far post. Unfortunately for him and the travelling supporters, it flew wide and over.

There were two chances for the lead to increase before it was all change at the break, first for Sara and then Sainz, but but both curlers narrowly missed the mark.

What emerged from the break was a side more closely resembling City's under-21s than any team that will represent them in the Championship next term. Archie Mair was the oldest Norwich player on the pitch at 23, and 20-year-old Kellen Fisher was captain.

They started positively, however, passing through the thirds confidently and pushing to make it three. But Northampton had the first real chance of the second half, a triallist driving wide from the edge of the box.

Another triallist then should have halved the deficit when he was found in the centre of the box, but he headed over.

Thorup's side had their first shot of the second half 22 minutes into it, Uriah Djedje the beneficiary of a swift passing move involving Finley Welch and Ken Aboh. The young midfielder had done good work breaking up play, but he comfortably cleared the bar when in a good attacking position.

The game picked up pace thereafter and there was a good chance for another triallist at the back post. Stooping low he could head only wide, even with plenty of space on his side.

Tony Springett, who spent the second half of last season on loan at the very stadium he was inhabiting, then sought to make his mark, sliding a shot into the goalkeeper's arms with his weaker right foot.

Two triallist then combined for perhaps the best chance the East Midlands side created, the second of them sliding to divert a pacey low cross wide.

But it was Norwich who had the last laugh, Aboh's tap-in the reward for an incisive attack after substitute Gabriel Forsyth had seen his effort tipped into the striker's path.

As far as first steps go this was a positive one for the Thorup era, but it didn't stray too far from the mundanity of the classic pre-season opener.

NORTHAMPTON TOWN: Burge, Guthrie (C), Willis, Hoskins, Fox, Pinnock, Koiki, Odimayo, Hondermarck, Morton, Trialist. Substitutes: Magloire, Tzanev, Tomlinson, Baldwin, Dadge, Dobson, Wyatt, Ireland, Barnett, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist.

NORWICH CITY: Long (GK); Stacey, Hills, Duffy, Montoia; Sorensen, Sara (C), Sainz; Kamara, Fassnacht, Rowe. Substitutes: Mair (GK, on for Long, 45), Finch (GK), Fisher (on for Sara, 45), Welch (on for Kamara, 45), Myles, Springett (on for Rowe, 45), Aboh (on for Fassnacht, 45), Tomkinson (on for Hills, 45), Renecke (on for Montoia, 45), Adegboyega (on for Duffy, 45), Djedje (on for Sorensen, 45) Shipley (on for Stacey, 45), Manning (on for Sainz, 45), Forsyth (on for Shipley, 82).

Goals: Rowe (4,12), Aboh (89)

KEY MOMENTS

4 - GOAL NORWICH (Rowe): Sorensen finds Stacey with space to cross and he finds Rowe, who darts inside from the left to head beyond Burge.

12 - GOAL NORWICH (Rowe): A missed clearance from Guthrie allows Rowe in on goal, and he rounds the goalkeeper before slotting in.

14 - Another defensive mishap allows Rowe to set up Kamara, but his right-footed effort is straight at Burge.

29 - Rowe goes outside Odimayo and shoots, but the full-back does well to block his effort.

34 - City counter quickly and Fassnacht finds Rowe to shoot, but his effort is collected by Burge at the second attempt.

43 - Sara curls a free-kick towards the near post, but it's tipped wide.

44 - Sainz's strike kisses the bar on its way over.

Half time: Northampton Town 0-2 Norwich City

57 - A triallist drives wide from the edge of the box for Northampton.

60 - Another triallist as a great chance to halve the deficit, but he heads over from inside the box.

67 - Norwich work the ball to Djedje on the edge of the box, but he comfortably clears the crossbar.

68 - A deep cross finds a trialist at the back post for the hosts, but he can only stoop to head wide.

74 - Springett cuts in and shoots straight at the goalkeeper with his weaker right foot.

GOAL NORWICH (Aboh): Forsyth meets Welch's cross and his effort is parried into the path of Aboh, who can't miss.

Full time: Northampton Town 0-3 Norwich City

PLAYER RATINGS

Long 6, Stacey 8, Hills 7, Duffy 7, Montoia 7, Sorensen 7, Sara 7, Sainz 7, Kamara 5, Fassnacht 7, Rowe 9. Subs: Mair 6, Shipley 6, Tomkinson 6, Adegboyega 6, Renecke 6, Djedje 6, Fisher 8, Manning 5, Welch 7, Aboh 7, Springett 6, Forsyth 7.

Attendance: 2,626 (774 Norwich)

Referee: Andy Woolmer