Petty Delighted With Inspired Comeback
- Leicester City’s Development Squad beat Bradford City's senior side 4-2 on penalties
- The Papa Johns Trophy Group H fixture had finished 2-2 in normal time
- Will Alves and Tawanda Maswanhise scored for the young Foxes
- Ben Petty was thrilled with City’s attitude to come from two goals down
Papa Johns Trophy fixtures put City's Under-21s up against senior Football League opposition. Trailing by two goals early in the second half at The University of Bradford Stadium on Tuesday evening, the young Foxes hit back to level the scores at 2-2 after 90 minutes and take the tie to penalties.
And it was the visitors who came out on top in the shootout, winning 4-2 to claim a bonus point, move up to third in Northern Group H and remain in with a shot of qualifying for the next round, ahead of their final group fixture.
Speaking to LCFC TV post-match, the coach gave his assessment: “We were actually a little disappointed with our first half display because I thought, in possession, we were a bit untidy, gave impetus to Bradford and they punished us.
“We did talk at half-time about potentially switching to a back four, if we wanted to go for it, and we did, as we knew we needed to win tonight. That made the decision a little bit easier.
“Iestyn [Hughes] was carrying a little bit of a knock, so we brought on another midfield player and it worked out. Sometimes it doesn’t. In the second half, the comeback was terrific, showing character, resilience and some really good play.
“I’m trying to stress to the players all the time that they have to be confident, and they’ve got to have a bit more self-belief. I think we’ve had some really good performances this season and another one tonight. We’ve got to push ourselves, be a bit more clinical and believe.”
Strikes from Vadaine Oliver and Levi Sutton put the Bantams in a commanding position but, not to be overawed by senior opposition, Leicester's youngsters hit back via Will Alves’ neat finish, ahead of Tawanda Maswanhise scoring his seventh goal in nine games just four minutes later.
The 45-year-old explained: “He (Alves) was a brilliant outlet for the team, a great out-ball for us on the right-hand side in the second half and a threat all night to Bradford. We said he’s got to come up with more goals and assists. Some of his play is frightening and he really delivered there.
“He (Maswanhise) is in a rich vein of form. He run himself into the ground with Chris [Popov] and then we can bring on three other strikers. We’ve got a lot of talent in the Under-21s, we’re very lucky this season. They all did well tonight and the lads who finished the game had a real impact.
“I was desperate to go for it. Some of the staff were holding me back a little bit! I felt we had the impetus and the momentum, and I wanted us to win the game. Obviously, we’ve won it on penalties in the end, which was a bonus point, but I’m really proud of the squad.”
Petty: Terrific Character & Resilience
Post-match reaction from coach Ben Petty to the Leicester City Development Squad's Papa Johns Trophy comeback at Bradford City.
After either team could have claimed victory in the closing stages, shot-stopper Chituru Odunze saved the League 2 outfit's first spot-kick from Sutton, while the away side converted all four of their penalties, including the winner from Kasey McAteer.
Petty added: “I did say to the players before they went out: ‘I think C (Chituru Odunze) will save two or three penalties’. He’s that good at penalties, we see it every day in training.
“That gave them that little bit of confidence that if we can score ours, we’ll win, and C did the business. He was outstanding all night. I’ve got to give the big man a shout out, I thought he was a nine out of 10.
“I think it’s been a great couple of nights for the Club. We had four scholars out there tonight and nine lads who have come through since Under-9s, it’s a brilliant moment to come here and win on penalties.”