Loft's Pride After Fleetwood Heroics
- Leicester City striker Ryan Loft reflects on playing a decisive role in the Development Squad's shoot-out success at Fleetwood Town
- Loft scored twice in normal time late on to make it 2-2 at Highbury Stadium
- The 20-year-old then scored the winning penalty in an enthralling 7-6 spot-kick victory
- Ben Petty also reveals his own pride in seeing City's youngsters impress against the Cod Army
Following strikes by Chris Long and Conor McAleny for the hosts, Loft struck with 10 minutes remaining to narrow the arrears before scoring an equaliser deep into added time.
When Kyle Dempsey missed the Cod Army’s seventh penalty, meanwhile, it fell to Loft, who had missed from 12 yards in normal time, to convert the winning spot-kick for the visitors.
“It was a weird one but we got the win in the end after going 2-0 down because we stuck in there,” Loft reflected, speaking to LCFC TV afterwards at Highbury Stadium.
Loft Off The Mark In Style For City
Ryan Loft reflects on a night in which he scored a dramatic brace and sealed a penalty shoot-out success at Fleetwood...
“I feel like the team had good spirit still and we showed that as we kept pushing and pushing but luckily I got my two goals and we went on to win it with a good spirit.”
Loft, who joined the Club over the summer, was also thrilled to score his first goals in a Foxes shirt and hopes it can prompt a scoring run as Premier League 2 duties resume this weekend.
“For me especially, to get off the mark was important,” the 20-year-old added.
“I haven’t minded too much in the last games because we’ve had a good few wins but it’s always good as a striker to be getting goals and obviously giving something back to the team.
“It was the best feeling in the world. To come away with any points would be a great result but to get the extra points will become important in the later games.
Petty: We've Come A Long Way
Ben Petty spoke with LCFC TV after sealing a 7-6 penalty shoot-out win against Fleetwood Town in the Chekatrade Trophy.
“They were a good team, they showed us that they weren’t no pushovers, but luckily for us we got the win.”
Ben Petty, meanwhile, the Club’s Assistant Professional Development Phase Coach, also praised City’s never-say-die attitude against Sky Bet League 1 opposition.
He told LCFC TV: “It was a rollercoaster. I thought we played well tonight, even though we went a goal down in the first half, we’d had two good clear-cut chances and we looked dangerous.
“I think it’s a compliment to us that [Fleetwood manager] Joey Barton changed the shape of their team going 4-4-3 to combat what we were doing.
“It was a great fightback by the lads and we’re delighted.”