U18s Report: Reading 3 Leicester City 3

- Admiral Muskwe netted a hat-trick in thrilling clash 

- Young Foxes next host Southampton at Belvoir Drive on 3 October 

A late Reading equaliser denied Leicester City’s Under-18s three Barclays U18 Premier League points in a highly-entertaining fixture on Saturday. 

It was a clash of real quality given how well both sides had started the 2015/16 season – the young Foxes had lost just once in six fixtures heading into Saturday’s game. 

City striker Admiral Muskwe, who prior to the fixture with the Royals had netted five times already this campaign, opened the scoring inside 10 minutes with a clever finish. 

Despite a number of goalscoring chances for City, Reading responded well and hauled themselves level as the game approached half-time, before taking the lead just after the break.

City rallied and when Muskwe was brought down in the area, the young Foxes were awarded a penalty. Bursting with confidence, it was Muskwe who dispatched the spot kick to make it 2-2 with 20 minutes to play. 

More good work from the young forward saw a Reading defender handle the ball in the area, prompting the referee to point to the spot once again. Muskwe stepped up and converted for his hat-trick with just 10 minutes to go. 

Some defiant defending from Trevor Peake’s outfit kept the Reading attack at bay, but a long range effort from the hosts found the back of the net late on, making it 3-3 and in turn bringing to an end a thrilling clash. 

Reflecting on the game, Under-18s manager Peake told LCFC.com: “We scored early on as we have done frequently. We started really well and could have had more in the first 20 to 25 mins. They then bossed the possession and took control of game until half-time and got an equaliser in that period. 

“They went ahead after the break to put them 2-1 up around the hour mark. We were pinned back and were reliant on counter attacks for about 10 minutes. 

“We managed to get back to 2-2 as Admiral won and converted penalty and then we had another penalty with Admrial involved again – a handball in the end. That put us 3-2 up with about 10 minutes left. 

“They pressed for a result and we were pinned back. They had a late corner which we cleared, but their centre half hit one with his left foot that found the bottom corner of the net – it was a very good goal in fairness.”