Canaries fly into second round

10 August 2010 22:30
Captain Grant Holt marked his return to the Norwich starting line-up with a brace and an assist to help his side to a 4-1 Carling Cup first-round victory over Gillingham at Carrow Road. Holt, the club`s leading scorer with 30 goals last season, made a brief appearance from the bench following a thigh injury as Norwich lost their opening game of the season to Watford last Friday. But having replaced the ineligible Simeon Jackson - an agreement made after his switch from Gillingham to Carrow Road this summer - Holt was soon back in the swing of things with a goal either side of half-time. After David Fox had hit a post for City, Gillingham took the lead against the run of play in the 12th minute with Chris Palmer taking advantage of a slip by defender Michael Nelson to beat John Ruddy. Gills nearly doubled their advantage when Adebayo Akinfenwa thumped a header against the bar, and Norwich capitalised on the let-off by levelling three minutes later. Holt played in strike-partner Chris Martin who avoided the presence of a defender to beat Alan Julian. Holt then headed home Russell Martin`s cross from 12 yards and, after Chris Martin had hit the crossbar, finished off a sweeping move. Chris Martin then claimed his second of the night in injury time, collecting a pass from substitute Oli Johnson before rounding Julian and tapping into an empty net.

Source: PA