McSweeney: They Never Gave In

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McSweeney: They Never Gave In

Leon McSweeney came away satisfied with our Development Squad’s efforts against West Ham United on Friday, securing a 1-1 draw at Rush Green.

2026-02-18T09:00+00:00

by Sam Jones

Published

18 Feb, 2026

McSweeney: They Never Gave In

Leon McSweeney came away satisfied with our Development Squad’s efforts against West Ham United on Friday, securing a 1-1 draw at Rush Green.

Sam Jones

2026-02-18T09:00+00:00

McSweeney: They Never Gave In

Leon McSweeney came away satisfied with our Development Squad’s efforts against West Ham United on Friday, securing a 1-1 draw at Rush Green.

Sam Jones

2026-02-18T09:00+00:00

McSweeney: They Never Gave In

Leon McSweeney came away satisfied with our Development Squad’s efforts against West Ham United on Friday, securing a 1-1 draw at Rush Green.

Sam Jones

2026-02-18T09:00+00:00

McSweeney: They Never Gave In

Leon McSweeney came away satisfied with our Development Squad’s efforts against West Ham United on Friday, securing a 1-1 draw at Rush Green.

Sam Jones

2026-02-18T09:00+00:00

Leicester City’s Under-21s drew 1-1 with West Ham United in Premier League 2
Young Foxes forward Kirsten Otchere scored a last-gasp equaliser in the capital
Coach Leon McSweeney reflected on the point gained at Rush Green
It’s been a positive season so far, with eyes on qualifying for the last-16 phase

The Foxes youngsters went behind to Andre Dike’s 30th-minute opener, before Kirsten Otchere levelled up in the sixth minute of stoppage time to see the visitors take a share of the spoils back to Leicestershire.

“I'm very pleased with the manner of the equalising goal,” he began. “Just the fact that we never stopped knocking on the door and got our just rewards in the end because, on the balance of play, I thought a draw was the least we deserved.

“We started the game very well. I think we controlled the first 15 minutes and carved out some really good opportunities, but we just didn't get players in the right areas in the box to convert. There was nothing in it.

“The goal we conceded was a sloppy one from our point of view, against the run of play where they really offered nothing leading up to that. Credit to the guys, we spoke at half-time about just keep doing what we were doing because the performance was good.

“Thankfully, we just kept going and, towards the end, we got the ball into the areas that we wanted. We built up pressure towards the end of the 90 minutes, resulting in corners. And it was pleasing that we sustained those attacks rather than let them peter out.

“We were quick to the ball after they cleared it, got the ball back into the dangerous areas and made them defend their box. We don't score many goals where it's knocked up to our centre-back who's stayed up there and flicked it on for a striker.

“It was kind of a throwback goal, but the lads took that upon themselves. They knew they were chasing it and needed something different and fair play, the ball up was quality.

“Bobby [Amartey] was brave as a lion to win the header, it was a fantastic flick on and Kirsten was in the position that you want your striker and finished it under pressure, which was just what they deserved. It was a great trip back, having stolen a point so late in the game.

“West Ham are very talented side and they've shown that in previous years. We knew it was going to be difficult, just from the experiences of the past and Friday night was no different, but testament to our guys, they dug in when they had to.

“They played some really good football as well. And the most pleasing things from a coaching perspective was that they never quit, they never gave in, they always believed that they could get something from the game and thankfully that belief was rewarded in the last kick of the game.”

Nineteen-year-old Otchere continued his fine goalscoring form, netting an eighth of the season across all competitions. Despite a difficult 90 minutes, he kept plugging away and was eventually rewarded in east London.

“It was a tough game for him to get any kind of rhythm, it was a difficult pitch,” McSweeney explained. “When they play with a line of five at the back, spaces are at a premium.

“He pressed and he did what he could and he had one opportunity just after half-time he probably should have done better with where he goes through on goal and perhaps takes it a bit early, but he always carries that goal threat.

“He's built up that trust now with us as coaching staff that you leave him on for the 90 minutes because you know that he's got a goal in him. And that's his progress and development that he's built that up over the period of time that he's been with us.

“Like all strikers do, you get a chance in the last minute and you do your job and you take it and onto the next one.”

It's Man Utd up next in Seagrave.

Taking four points from a possible six last week, following the win against Norwich City, it puts City in a positive position in the Premier League 2 standings, sitting seventh ahead of facing third-placed Manchester United back at LCFC Training Ground on Monday night (7pm GMT kick-off).

“It’s one that we're really looking forward to,” our Under-21s Coach added. “They're going great guns in PL2 at the minute. It'll be another opportunity for our guys to test themselves, but also to keep the momentum going. I think we’ve got six games left now to qualify for the last-16 of the competition.

“A win on Monday night against Man United would go a long way to securing qualification and that's the aim for the group. That's what we've set them and so far, so good. It'll be a good one because they've shown this year that they're up there with the best in the division.

“At home, the expectancy is on you to take it to the opposition really and go for the win, because you're the home team and then away from home, it's playing the game and playing the conditions as well.”

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