Foxes Under-23s Record PL2 Victory On Filbert Way
Two changes were made from the side that were narrowly defeated by Brighton & Hove Albion Under-23s last Friday, with goalkeeper Brad Young coming in for Jakub Stolarczyk and first team midfielder Papy Mendy handed a start in the centre of the park, replacing Thanawat Suengchitthawon.
Switching back to a 4-2-3-1 formation, Wanya Marcal-Madivadua, Ethan Fitzhugh and Kasey McAteer operated as the attacking midfield three behind lone forward Maswanhise.
It was a lightning start to the game, with chances flowing at both ends inside the first five minutes. Young was tested on three occasions in quick succession, keeping out Joseph Snowdon, Max Dean and Stuart McKinstry.
McAteer then played a cute through ball into Fitzhugh, but the Foxes midfielder was unable to hit the target from a tight angle.
Leeds went straight back down the other end with McKinstry looking to turn provider. His cross reached Dean in the box – and again his low effort was comfortably held by Young, who also denied Sean McGurk minutes later.
McGurk soon wriggled his way into a shooting position once more and this time Ronny Nelson was able to get a last-ditch block in to prevent the opener.
Foxes skipper Vontae Daley-Campbell, meanwhile, was looking for his second goal of the season and after charging down the right wing he moved into the box and fired a strike into the side netting.
With 10 minutes to go until the break, Leicester were starting to get on top and dominate possession on a pristine King Power Stadium pitch. Maswanhise cut back onto his right foot and Kristoffer Klaesson was called into action for the first time to save, before the winger’s second effort deflected wide of target.
McKinstry remained dangerous for the visitors and late in the half City had Young to thank for making a diving save down to his right to deny the Leeds winger, before also parrying away McGurk’s fierce strike.
A bright opening to the second period saw Marcal-Madivadua create two openings, the first hitting the side netting and the second bringing a save from Klaesson, ahead of Sammy Braybrooke also testing United’s ‘keeper.
That pressure paid off on the hour mark when Shane Flynn’s cross was taken down by Maswanhise, who kept his composure to wait for the right moment to flick the ball home with his left foot and hand City the lead.
Leicester remained on the front foot after the goal and from Fithugh’s free-kick the ball landed at Ronny Nelson’s feet, with his shot on the turn dealt with well by Klaesson.
City then introduced fresh legs and Terell Pennant soon caused Leeds defensive problems, forcing Klasesson to turn his attempt from a tight angle behind, before holding Daley-Campbell’s shot from the edge of the box.
The result should have been put in no doubt in the closing stages as Daley-Campbell fed McAteer, who was through on goal and tried to bend the ball around the ‘keeper, only to curl his effort the wrong side of the post.
Lewis Bate nearly made Leicester pay for their missed chances, swiping at the ball with his left-foot and finding the side netting, while an even later chance fell when McGurk’s cross had to be flicked off the line by Flynn, but City held on to claim the three points and a clean sheet.
Major moment…
A frantic first half was followed by a more controlled second period and so the first goal became a vital one. It was Leicester City - and Tawanda Maswanhise in particular - who found it, leading to a largely dominant display from the Foxes youngsters.
Who impressed?
Speaking during LCFC TV’s live coverage, former Leicester City manager and co-commentator Micky Adams said: “Brad Young has made four or five decent saves throughout the game. He looks nice and cool and composed. His distribution is good and he can be pleased with his performance.”
Where does it leave us?
City’s Development Squad sit ninth in the Premier League 2 Division 1 table, with eight points from six games heading into the international break.
Coming up…
Next up in Premier League 2 the Development Squad will travel to face Manchester City Under-23s at Academy Stadium on Saturday 16 October (3pm kick-off).
The details…
City: Young; Daley-Campbell (c), Spencer-Adams, R. Nelson, Flynn; Braybrooke , Mendy (Ewing 61’); Marcal-Madivadua (Russ 71'), Fitzhugh (T. Pennant 76'), McAteer; Maswanhise.
Subs not used: Odunze, Wormleighton.
Goal: Maswanhise 60’.