U18 Report: Fulham 0 Leicester City 2

Goals from Danny Rowe and Brandon Fox meant City registered their seventh win in eight league games, producing another battling display ahead of their trip to Chelsea next weekend.
The young Foxes were looking to build on their hard-fought 1-0 victory over West Ham United at Belvoir Drive last Saturday, when Rowe struck in the first half after good work down the right wing from Keenan King.
City had already beaten Fulham in early November, firing five past the Cottagers in a game that saw Max Smith-Varnham pull off a string of fine saves to keep his side in front, but Leicester expected a closer game this time round at a wet Motspur Park, and the hosts didn’t fail to deliver.
City took the lead from the spot with another goal for the season from Rowe – the young No.10 dispatching the penalty after he was initially brought down in the box following good play down the left flank from captain Ben Chilwell.
Defender Cedric Kipre then had a goal disallowed in the second half before Fulham struck the bar, coming agonisingly close to the equaliser.
But Fox fired in shortly after with a neat half-volley from the edge of the box, making sure his side returned to Leicester with all three points in a 2-0 win.
Delighted with the victory, Academy director Jon Rudkin told LCFC.com: “The lads can take a lot of credit from their performance given the fact that we have a number of boys at the moment that are suffering from a bit of illness. There was a number that managed to play today carrying those symptoms and actually got through the game.
“It was difficult conditions for both teams. The pitch was very heavy and wet as both teams tried to play. There were unforced errors at times but we managed to create a number of good chances.
“A very well taken penalty through Danny Rowe was quickly followed by two very good opportunities. The first was a one-on-one with the ‘keeper, which was well saved, while a there was also a disallowed goal which looked a little bit harsh. Maybe on another day they might have gone in.
“Going in at half-time 1-0 up meant the game was very tightly balanced. Trevor Peake spoke to the players about the importance of keeping their shape and not conceding anything under these conditions. In the second half, we in fact probably had more territory and again created quite a few chances.
“There was then a warning for us as Fulham broke and hit the bar. It was always very tightly balanced, but a fine goal from Brandon Fox on the edge of the box sealed the win for us – a neat finish with great technique.
“All credit to the back four and goalkeeper Max Smith-Varnham, who kept a clean sheet. The lads can take a lot of credit for their overall performance.”