U21s Report: City 3 Doncaster 0

A powerful first-half finish from City striker Harry Panayiotou got City off to a fine start and two clinical second-half goals from City midfielders Ryan Watson and Michael Cain sealed a well-deserved victory at Holmes Park.

City’s Belgian defender Ritchie De Laet also made his return from injury in the match, impressing during a 60-minute outing before being replaced by Jamie Anton.

The Foxes started with real energy and had a good chance to take the lead after just four minutes when Cain’s dangerous delivery from a corner bounced inside the six-yard box.

City captain Alie Sesay managed to get a head to the loose ball but was unable to direct his header past Doncaster ‘keeper Jonathan Maxted, who gathered comfortably.

Leicester’s hard work and early pressing was rewarded after just 16 minutes when City ‘keeper Adam Smith’s long clearance caused all sorts of problems in the Doncaster defence.

Rovers defender Harry Middleton was unable to clear and City striker Panayiotou showed great strength to muscle past the Doncaster centre-back and fire a powerful right-footed strike into the top left-hand corner.

City continued to press after the goal and goal-scorer Panayiotou had a chance to double Leicester’s lead on 22 minutes, but the City striker saw his 18-yard snap-shot comfortably saved by ‘keeper Maxted.

The Foxes continued to dominate the first-half and had another chance through midfielder Cain, after a powerful run through the centre of midfield.

Cain burst through the Doncaster midfield and made room for a shot from just outside of the 18-yard box, but saw his effort well gathered by Maxted.

Doncaster had a fine chance to equalise just before the half-time interval, when left-back Liam Wakefield found room for a cross and delivered to Rovers striker Harry Forrester just inside the six-yard box.

Whipped in at pace, Forrester failed to get a good enough contact on the delivery and headed over from close range, sending Leicester into the half-time interval with a well-deserved 1-0 lead.

Leicester started the second half brightly and took a 2-0 lead after 54 minutes, with midfield pairing Cain and Watson combining nicely.

Cain broke through on the Doncaster right and his powerful cross was deflected into the path of the waiting Watson, who slotted home a cool finish into the bottom right hand corner from inside the 18-yard box.

Despite City’s dominance, Doncaster had a chance to pull a goal back after 80 minutes, but were denied by the woodwork after Billy Whitehouse’s cross-shot struck the far post and was gratefully gathered by City ‘keeper Smith.

Leicester ensured the victory on 84 minutes and it was Cain who struck to cap an impressive all-round performance and give the Foxes a well-deserved 3-0 lead.

Cain found himself in space on the right-hand side of the 18-yard box and after his initial shot was blocked, the ball fell kindly and he made no mistake in driving in a powerful right-footed half-volley.

Next up for Steve Beaglehole’s side is a trip to Arsenal and he will be hoping that his side can continue their fine form that has seen them go unbeaten in their last six games.

City:A. Smith, De Laet (Anton), Elder, Watson, Sesay (c), Frempah, Dawson (Paratore), Cain, Panayiotou, Dodoo, Bakayogo (Barrington)

Subs not used:J. Smith

Goals:Panayiotou 16, Watson 54, Cain 84

Doncaster: Maxted, Binns, Wakefield, Meite, Finnegan, Middleton, Meade, Harper, Forrester, Peterson, Bennett

Subs:Mclaren, Brown, Whitehouse, Terrell