U18s Report: Leicester City 1 Fulham 2

- Sim Thandi was on target for the young Foxes 

- City next face Norwich at Belvoir Drive on 27 August 

Leicester City’s Under-18s were beaten for the first time this campaign after Fulham recorded a 2-1 U18 Premier League victory at Belvoir Drive on Saturday. 

The young Foxes opened their 2016/17 account with a battling 1-0 win over Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday 13 August thanks to Kairo Arlott-John’s first-half strike. 

Meanwhile, Fulham headed into the clash with City having been narrowly beaten 3-2 by London rivals Chelsea at Cobham training centre. 

Saturday’s visitors adapted well to the blustery conditions at Belvoir Drive and went ahead early on, before doubling their lead in the second period. 

Right back Sim Thandi rattled in a fine effort for Trevor Peake’s outfit late on in the game, but that proved to be the last major action of the encounter, and it was Fulham who went on to earn all three U18 Premier League points. 

Under-18s manager Peake said: “We went 1-0 down after about 20 minutes. There was a strong wind down at the training ground, and Fulham had that behind them in the first half. 

“We gave away two disappointing goals, despite starting brightly. We found it a little difficult to work their goalkeeper in the first period and their first goal shook us a little. 

“That meant that we went into the break 1-0 down, but we really turned our game around in the second half and went on the front foot – we had numerous shots, but they doubled their lead. 

“Credit to the lads, because they kept going and we pulled one back, but it was too late for it to really affect the result of the game. 

“It was a much better performance in the second period with the wind behind our backs. We looked a lot more encouraging, so we’re going to be looking at improving our efforts outside the box.” 

Next up for the Club’s Under-18s is an U18 Premier League fixture against Norwich City at Belvoir Drive on Saturday 27 August (12pm kick-off).