Under-23s Fight Back To Secure Reading Point

Leicester got off to a frustrating start as Danzell Gravenberch’s long-range drive was tipped onto the crossbar only for Rakels to convert the rebound after six minutes. The hosts doubled their advantage swiftly when Meite sidestepped shot-stopper Ben Hamer before sliding it into an empty net. 

City, though, had in fact started the match well and they continued to pose a threat in the final third. Despite their efforts, the reality remained that a defeat would have sent Steve Beaglehole’s men back to the bottom of the Division 1 league standings with just a single match remaining of the 2016/17 season. 

Reading called upon experienced heads for the encounter including West Ham United loanee Reece Oxford, who featured for the Hammers last season, and former Liverpool centre-back Tiago Ilori. Despite the predicament they found themselves in, though, Leicester battled back manfully.

First, after 31 minutes, Moore was there to get them back into it with a tidy header from Connor Wood’s free-kick. Five minutes later, City were handed the chance to draw level when Lamine Kaba Sherif was felled in the area by George Legg. Choudhury stepped up to send the ‘keeper the wrong way.

Tennai Watson's ambitious drive from 25 yards for Reading, which thundered back off the crossbar, was the final chance of a breathless opening 45 minutes. Leicester returned after the break with an increased urgency about their play but were stifled by an effective defensive display from their hosts. 

The second half presented fewer clear-cut chances for either side. The Foxes almost snatched victory when Oxford inadvertently sent the ball crashing onto his own crossbar following industrious work by Liandro Martis. After this result, though, it all rests on next week's trip to London for the Under-23s.

Key moment 

With City trailing by two goals, it was looking bleak early on for Steve Beaglehole's young side in Berkshire. Connor Wood’s brilliant free-kick, however, was headed emphatically beyond George Legg by Elliott Moore to give the visitors hope of a turnaround in fortunes at Madejski Stadium. 

With midfielder Hamza Choudhury later adding to Leicester’s tally before the break, the comeback was complete before the referee’s whistle. It ensured that Beaglehole’s half-time team talk could be focussed on outlining his stratagem instead of mulling over early mistakes. That never-say-die attitude will serve his side well as they look for a fifth league success next week.  

Who impressed? 

With the Foxes having to battle for every ball against an experienced Reading line-up, they needed everyone to dig in and fight for the cause. Liandro Martis is known more for his attacking exploits but he was prepared to put in a shift at both ends to give City a chance of returning to Leicester with a result. 

Hurrying the opposition into a succession of costly errors, the Curaçaoan international continues to catch the eye among Steve Beaglehole’s Under-23s ranks this season. In the end, determined defending from the hosts was just about to enough to keep Martis and his team-mates at bay. 

Where does it leave us? 

With a trip to White Hart Lane to face Tottenham Hotspur on the final day on Thursday 4 May (7pm kick-off), City probably still need a victory to climb above Derby County in 10th place in Premier League 2 Division 1. With 20 points, Leicester are one behind the Rams but have an inferior goal difference. 

Derby face Chelsea 24 hours after the trip to Tottenham meaning both sides are in for a nail biting finale. The Foxes can pile the pressure on their East Midlands rivals with a positive result in London. Such is the nature of this campaign, however, they could still climb five places with a win in the capital. 

READING: Legg, Dickie, Richards, Ilori, Oxford, Gravenberch (Loader 45), Watson, Rinomhota, Barrett, Meite, Rakels (East 45). 

SUBS NOT USED: Southwood, Osho, Frost. 

GOALS: Rakels 6, Meite 14. 

CITY: Hamer, Johnson (Pascanu 65), Moore (c), Knight, Wood, Choudhury, Hammond, Kaba Sherif (Watts 71), Brown (Eppiah 81), Gordon, Martis. 

SUBS NOT USED: Iversen, Dewsbury-Hall.

GOALS: Moore 31, Choudhury 36 pen. 

REFEREE: Mr D Treleaven.