U21s Report: Loughborough 0 City 1

With a number of key players such as Michael Cain and Jak McCourt getting a full 90 minutes under their belts, as well as debuts for Louis Rowley, Herve Pepe Ngoma and Simonas Stankevicius, it proved to be a useful outing for Steve Beaglehole’s side. 

Despite City pushing forward with the ball in the opening exchanges, it was Loughborough who should have gone ahead on 10 minutes when a ball over the top put their no.10 through, only for his shot to strike the upright. 

Minutes later, a moment of quality from Joe Dodoo was crucial in accelerating City away from their spirited hosts. The youngster picked up the ball in side own half, charged past five or so yellow shirts and put the ball on a plate for a grateful Blyth to dispatch at the far post for 1-0. 

As the half wore on, trialist Corey Williams also struck the woodwork from a Dodoo cross, but the Foxes were unable to add to their lead going into the interval. 

Second year scholar Brandon Fox was introduced for the second half on his return from injury, and certainly had an impact on the game as he created a number of openings from the left hand side, but failed to test the goalkeeper. 

The impressive McCourt did manage to do just that midway through the half when he curled an ambitious right-footed shot towards the top corner after a breakaway, but found the goalkeeper equal to the challenge. 

Under-18s full-back Matthew Miles then again rattled the frame of the goal from the angle, but with a lead already secured, the Foxes showed some excellent composure to see out the victory with a clean sheet intact. 

Next up for Beaglehole’s group is a trip to face Corby Town in a friendly on Saturday afternoon (KO 3pm). 

CITY: Smith (Trialist 46), Cain, Rowley (Fox 46(Rowe 70)), McCourt, Kennedy, Ngoma, Trialist (Bailey 73), Trialist, Blyth (Stankevicius 46), Trialist (Miles 51), Dodoo