Josh Murphy at the double in Norwich City U21s 2-0 derby win over Ipswich U21s

Josh Murphy rolls home his second goal in Norwich City U21s 2-0 friendly win over Ipswich's U21s at Colney on Monday. Picture: Antony Kelly Archant Norfolk 2015

Norwich City midfielder Josh Murphy struck a first half brace to seal a 2-0 development friendly win against East Anglian rivals Ipswich Town’s U21s at Colney on Monday.

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Murphy also hit the outside of a post from close range in the second period of another derby success for the Canaries, watched by Alex Neil and his coaching staff at City’s training base.

Murphy rifled home a penalty, after his twin brother Jacob had been felled, before rounding the Town keeper two minutes prior to the interval to complete the win against an Ipswich team featuring a number of triallists.

City’s line up included the likes of the Murphys, Jamar Loza and Louis Thompson but none of the shadow first teamers who were not involved against Brentford on Saturday in the club’s final warm-up game ahead of the Premier League kick-off against Crystal Palace.

The blustery conditions made life difficult for both sets of players in the early sparring, with Town looking to pin Norwich back. Ben Killip denied the visitors with a smart low stop before Joe Crowe completed the clearance.

The highly-rated centre back then sensed the danger to thwart Town after Reece Hall-Johnson was caught out of position.

Jacob Murphy powered past his marker to whip an inviting low cross that Michee Efete was unable to divert home, before taking a painful crack in a collision against the far post.

Josh Murphy skied over in the 20th minute and seconds later Jamar Loza skipped around the keeper but his attempted finish was cleared off the line. Norwich were awarded a penalty when Jacob Murphy was clipped inside the box and his twin confidently stroked home the spot kick to open the scoring.

City continued to press home their territorial dominance as the first period elapsed, with Efete’s adventure earning a corner in the 36th minute which saw Crowe head Conor McGrandles’ cross at the keeper.

Town were now restricted to sporadic counters with a flashing first time strike drifitng wide of Killip’s far post as Neil observed alongside first team coach Gary Holt.

Josh Murphy doubled City’s lead after a brief flurry of Town pressure when he raced clear and drew the keeper before a guiding a low finish via the inside of the post.

The goalscorer was replaced by Jack Hallahan at the interval but the attacking flow continued from the hosts with Loza and then McGrandles denied by stout Ipswich defending.

The Scottish midfielder was prominent again in the 61st minute following a surge from Hallahan and King, as Neil had joined Dmitri Halajko and Darren Huckerby in the technical area to watch the rest of the action.

Norwich were content to invite Town on before hitting them with the pace of Jacob Murphy and Jamar Loza but the visiting keeper beat away the Jamaican international’s first time strike in the 65th minute.

Loza burst inside his marker again but fired into the side netting in the 72nd minute. Killip had to be alert in a rare attacking incursion from the visitors at the opposite end, but normal service was resumed when Josh Murphy - who had returned to replace his brother - burst to the byline and picked out Loza who skied over from 10 yards.

Josh Murphy struck the outside of a post in the 82nd minute from Reece Hall-Johnson’s teasing cross before Murphy went outside his man to drag back a cross which rolled across the six yard box with no takers in yellow.

Norwich could have added a third in the final seconds but the over-worked Town stopper foiled Jamie Eaton-Collins twice and Efete’s follow-up.

• Norwich City U21s: Killip, Hall-Johnson, Efete, Thompson (Grant 73), Crowe, Coker, Josh Murphy (Hallahan 45), McGrandles, Loza (Eaton-Collins 77), King (Norman 73), Jacob Murphy (Josh Murphy 70). Sub (not used) Oxborough.

• Goals: Josh Murphy (24, 43)

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