Under-18s Report: Leicester City 1 Sunderland 1

The young Foxes were dominant for long spells but struggled to back that supremacy with a goal. They found themselves behind after the restart when Black Cats striker Lee Connelly opened the scoring at the City training ground. 

Trevor Peake’s men remained a threat, however, and continued to push for a deserved equaliser. 

It looked as though it would be a frustrating afternoon for the hosts with a number of chances being spurned. But, with just seconds remaining, 17-year-old midfielder Leshabela struck late on to secure a share of the spoils to help City climb to fourth in the U18 Premier League Group C standings. 

Peake’s men have now won, drawn and lost in their opening three matches with leaders Wolverhampton Wanders up next at Belvoir Drive. Wolves have won all three of their clashes, meanwhile, and so will pose a stern test for the Under-18s if they are to continue their productive run of form. 

After that encounter on Saturday 15 April (11am kick-off), a trip to Brighton and Hove Albion awaits seven days later at the AMEX Elite Football Performance Centre. With four points from three matches, Peake believes that City now have a platform to build upon over the coming weeks. 

“We’re looking to win all of the matches between now and the end of the group stage,” he said. “We were understandably disappointed with where we finished in the league table before it split into the three group stages.   

“Our youngsters have had so many games this season in five different competitions, as well as trips abroad, which we hope will stand them in good stead. They’ve played full games at a fantastic level. The experiences they have had have been brilliant.”