U18 Reaction: Hard Work Key For Rudkin

A strike from Danny Rowe made it three home wins on the bounce, but the young Foxes had to maintain their discipline and concentration throughout the match to prevent the visitors from scoring.
A number of fine stops from goalkeeper Max Smith-Varnham and a defiant performance from the City defence meant the youngsters secured a sixth win in seven league games.
Meanwhile, West Ham shot-stopper Sam Howes pulled off a string of saves at the other end to make sure that Leicester – who had bagged 10 goals in their past two home games against Norwich City and Fulham – didn’t add to their tally.
Speaking to LCFC.com after the match, Rudkin said: “It was pleasing – we started very well. In the first half an hour we played some very good football and created a number of good chances.
“We got the goal, which was very well taken from Danny Rowe after some good work from Keenan King. After that we allowed West Ham to get back into it. We know their strengths – they’re a very good side and we knew the second half was going to be really important.
“I think the lads applied themselves really well today. Trevor Peake and Matt Goodwin were very pleased with the way that the players went about their tasks. We certainly deserved the victory and had a number of chances that on another day we might have seen go in if it weren’t for some outstanding stops from their goalkeeper.
“Most importantly it was a good performance, and a lot of the players can be very happy with how they’ve played today.
“There was a lot of good discipline in the side – the midfielders worked so hard. We had young Josh Knight in defence who made his first appearance for us, who really acquitted himself well. Darnell Johnson was in there as well, and he’s learning every week, while the second years have put in some big performances.”
City’s next outing will see them travel to Fulham on Saturday 29 November, and the Academy side will certainly be in good spirits having already beaten the London club 5-0 in earlier this month.
“We have Fulham next, and it’ll certainly a different game to the one we played against them in early November,” Rudkin added. “They’re a very strong outfit – Fulham have invested significantly into their academy.
“If there’s one thing guaranteed at this level, it’s that there’s no easy game. That’s good for every club because it allows them to have a good look at the development of their players, knowing that every week they can be challenged.”