City's Youngsters Fall To Checkatrade Trophy Defeat In Bury
Goals from Dominic Telford, either side of Tyrese Shade's equaliser for the Foxes, handed a group stage victory to the hosts, who had Callum McFadzean sent off in the first half.
City’s line-up included just four changes from the side which dispatched Norwich City in the Premier League Cup, with Eldin Jakupović, Josh Knight, Callum Elder and Ryan Loft coming in.
However, it was the fourth tier Shakers who took an early lead as Joe Adams crossed for Telford, whose header looped up over Jakupović and into the back of the net inside four minutes.
The hosts, skippered by ex-Foxes midfielder Neil Danns, looked composed in the early exchanges and limited City to half-chances, but the dynamic of the fixture changed in the 15th minute.
Just as Shade made ground on Mathew Hudson’s goal, Callum McFadzean bundled the young striker to the floor, forcing the referee to brandish a red card.
Leicester’s youngsters immediately capitalised. Five minutes later, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall found Elder in space on the left, allowing him to set up Shade to level the scores.
Australian full back Elder, meanwhile, was a constant menace for Bury and, when he galloped from deep in his own half into the hosts’ area, only a block from Phil Edwards kept it out.
Just before the break, it almost fell for Raúl Uche Rubio to score an outstanding bicycle-kick, but Knight’s header was just slightly too high for him to make the required contact.
With seconds of the first half remaining, Uche Rubio went close again, glancing Dewsbury-Hall’s header over Hudson’s crossbar.
Elsewhere, Nicky Adams, another former Leicester player, was introduced by Bury at the break, while Connor Tee replaced Shade in City’s XI.
After the break, in a mid-October deluge, the Foxes continued to take control of the fixture, keeping possession and using it effectively, especially in attacking positions.
More promising play in the 49th minute concluded with Elder clipping the bar, although it appeared that his effort was intended as a cross, but it very nearly put City ahead.
With just over half-an-hour to go, Loft was desperately unlucky not to add his name to the scoresheet also with his header flashing wide of the far post.
However, Bury regained their lead with 22 minutes to play as Telford registered his second goal of the night, from close range, shortly before being withdrawn by the hosts.
While substitute Connor Tee and Uche Rubio both went close, Ryan Lowe's home side showed maturity to see out the result, despite Leicester's best efforts to avoid defeat in Bury.
Who impressed?
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s industry in midfield, as well as his ability to pick out the right pass, was an incredibly useful tool for the Foxes against Sky Bet League 2 opposition.
The Shepshed-based midfielder played a crucial role in City’s opening goal, laying it up for Callum Elder to cross for Tyrese Shade – something he’s done all season for the Under-23s.
Where does it leave us?
Leicester’s youngsters have been overtaken by Bury, on three points, in Northern Group B, slipping to third place with two points of their own, meaning they need a positive result at Rochdale if they are to progress into the knockout phase of the competition for the third successive time.
Coming up…
The Foxes next head to Hotspur Way to face Tottenham in Premier League 2 on Friday (7pm BST kick-off), while a final Checkatrade Trophy group stage tie awaits them at Rochdale’s Spotland Stadium on Wednesday 7 November (7:45pm BST kick-off).
The details...
City: Jakupović, Ramsay (Ughelumba 74), Knight, Elder, Kaba Sherif (John 61), Johnson (c), Dewsbury-Hall, Leshabela, Shade (Tee 45), Uche Rubio, Loft
Subs not used: Johansson, D. Gyamfi, Elewa-Ikpakwu, L. Thomas
Goal: Shade 20
Attendance: 454