City Under-23s' Pressing Game Pleases Petty

- Leicester City's Development Squad secured a 2-1 win over West Ham United on Monday
- It was the Foxes' second successive victory in Premier League 2 Division 1
- Coach Ben Petty was pleased with the collective performance of City's youngsters
- He also comments on the last-gasp winner from Wanya Marcal-Madivadua

Tawanda Maswanhise's early strike set the Foxes up at Rush Green, although Sonny Perkins got the Hammers level. With seconds to spare, for the second time in successive Premier League 2 Division 1 outings, Wanya Marcal-Madivadua stepped up, though, to secure all three points for City's Under-23s.

Aspects of Leicester's display in the capital, including a high-press stratagem and individual performances, particularly pleased Petty. The Club's youngsters are now 10th in the league standings after beating West Ham, who went into the clash sitting top of the table.

"I thought the lads were brilliant, especially in the second half," Petty told LCFC TV at full-time. "We came out really strong and, in fairness, after the first half, we were confident. We just needed to a bit more clinical with one or two areas of our game. I thought we thoroughly deserved the win.

"We talked a lot about the press because we knew West Ham would play out from the back and we had a bit of a strategy for that. When it works in the first couple of minutes, it's great, but the players pressed really well this evening. I thought we caused West Ham a lot of problems with our press.

"They scored an excellent goal, they capitalised on a slight error from us. It kept us at bay a little, but we regrouped at half-time and we talked about playing in their half a bit more and playing more into Kasey [McAteer] and Vontae [Daley-Campbell]. We got in down the flanks really well in the second half.

"They're at the top of the table for a reason. They're an excellent side. There were passages of play tonight where we really struggled and they were very good. We held firm and [Jakub Stolarczyk] made a couple of great saves at key moments in the game. It enabled us to get the three points."

It was an experienced XI for the Foxes on Monday, with several players starring for the first team this term, while midfielder Khanya Leshabela was back from a loan spell at Sky Bet League 1 side Shrewsbury Town. Josh Eppiah, on loan at OH Leuven last term, also returned from injury.

"We looked at our team before the game and eight out of the starting XI have had some first team experience this season which is fantastic for them," Petty added. "There was also an expectation behind that and there was a level of performance that was required and I think the players backed that up.

"Josh and Khanya were a big part of that I thought Josh was a real threat tonight."

Yet again, it was Marcal Madivadua who won it for City's youngsters and Petty was thrilled for the young forward, who featured for the Club's first team in the Emirates FA Cup against Watford earlier this month.

"I thought he was running the clock down and running towards the corner, but he got himself into the box really well and it's two goals in two for Wanya," Petty said. "He's come up with the goods again. He was excellent in the second half and he's making a bit of a name for himself this season."