U21s Reaction: Resilience Earns Eaden Applause

- Under-21s coach pleased with the Development Squad’s productive pre-season 

- Goals from Callum Elder, Harry Panayiotou and Michael Cain seal a 3-1 victory at Corby 

- Foxes face current Barclays U21 Premier League Champions Manchester United in their season-opener on Monday 10 August 

After seeing his side conclude their pre-season campaign with a 3-1 win at Corby Town, Development Squad coach Nicky Eaden praised the Foxes’ battling performance. 

City took a deserved lead with just five minutes of the first half to play as defender Callum Elder headed in Jack Barmby’s deep cross. 

While Steve Beaglehole’s outfit looked good for their one-goal lead, the hosts netted an equaliser with just 15 minutes to play through Duane Cortney's powerful half-volley. 

But the Foxes, who had scored 20 goals in their last five games heading into the clash, went on to win the fixture thanks to two late strikes. 

First, St. Kitts and Nevis international striker Harry Panayiotou headed in Brandon Fox’s delivery from the right wing, before midfielder Michael Cain sealed the win in injury time. 

Speaking to Foxes Player HD after the win, Eaden said: “These games are never easy. Corby are on a bit of a role themselves after their recent promotion. They’ve had quite a few new additions. A couple have got quite a bit of experience in the league. 

“We stuck at it. There’s a lot of plus points and a couple of things that we need to work on, but it’s important to get into that winning habit, which overall in pre-season we have done. 

“Corby are playing in a tough league, so sometimes our lads can find that hard to adjust to. We try to get out Under-21s football as close to men’s football as we can in terms of competitiveness and application. 

“We try and improve their closing down, running – the basic stuff – and hope that their ability and good play comes out on top of that. 

“The Birmingham game was a good example of that. It gave our lads a bit of a wakeup call. It’s good that it’s come in the first game, because we were able to get after them and liven them up.” 

The fixture at Steel Park saw a number of youngsters – who were involved in the Under-18s’ superb FA Youth Cup run to the semi-finals last season – play a part in the win. 

It has been a positive pre-season for the Foxes, who have recorded four wins in six games. Preparations now start for City’s first fixture of the 2015/16 Barclays U21 Premier League season against Manchester United at King Power Stadium on Monday 10 August (7pm kick-off). 

Eaden added: “You can never read too much into pre-season, but overall it’s gone well. The team that started today was one of our strongest sides. There’s quite a bit of experience at Under-21s level in that team. 

“We’ve said to the younger lads that it’s up to them to try and push on and take some places. We want them to impress in training. 

"It’s about developing them, and if we think there’s someone that can go in and improve the Under-21s, and it’ll improve them as a player, then they’ll get in.”