U18s Reaction: Peake Believes Performance Deserved More

A first-half strike from Andrija Novakovich gave the visitors the lead at half-time, despite City creating chances of their own through Keenan King and Danny Rowe.
As Leicester tried to haul themselves level in the early stages of the second half, it was the Royals who went on to score the next goal through Noor Husin, leaving City with a tough task to claim something out of the game against a talented Reading side.
After City pushed for a goal that could get them back into the tie, Reading were ruthless on the counter-attack, and made it 3-0 with just five minutes to go, leaving the hosts with no time to respond.
“The problem we’re finding at the minute is scoring goals creating chances,” Peake told LCFC.com “That was evident in the first half. We got caught on a very quick counter-attack when we conceded the first goal. Other than that, I thought it was quite even in the first half.
“At half-time we tried to address things. In the second half we were a lot more involved around their box. They were very organised, but the second goal was a poor one to concede. It was a long throw and we didn’t manage to clear the ball.
“It was very avoidable, and the nail in the coffin was the last goal five minutes from the end when we were trying to push bodies forward and get that goal that gives us a little bit of hope.
“Reading are a very strong outfit, year upon year. I’ve been doing this now for 12 years at Under-16s and Under-18s level and every year Reading produce solid players who are well organised.”
While it wasn’t the result that City were looking for, Peake was quick to commend the performances of the younger players that have progressed in the Academy and moved up into his side.
“Elliot Percival has stepped up from the Under-17s. He’s had a few injuries so his career over the last few years has been quite harsh on him.
“I thought he coped very well and it was a solid debut from him for us. It shows that he can compete at that level.
“The Under-21s are looking to take more of our Under-18s players which is great because that’s the progression we all want. Their development requires them to be pushed and tested at a higher level.
“It leaves the gaps for people like Percival, Harvey Barnes, Josh Knight and Admiral Muskwe, who are all good young players in their age group.”