Fitzhugh Over The Moon With Maiden Strikes

Development Squad
04 Dec 2021
2 Minutes
Ethan Fitzhugh described his joy after finding the net on two occasions in the Leicester City Development Squad’s 3-1 away triumph over Leeds United Under-23s.

- Leicester City’s Development Squad defeated Leeds United 3-1 in Premier League 2 on Friday
- Ethan Fitzhugh scored twice, while Bayli Spencer-Adams was also on target in York
- The 19-year-old forward was pleased to get off the mark for the campaign
- He hopes the Foxes youngsters can back up the result in their final fixture of the year

The Foxes youngsters fell behind at LNER Community Stadium in Friday night’s Premier League 2 Division 1 fixture courtesy of a well-taken finish from Joe Gelhardt, before Leeds captain Charlie Cresswell saw red inside the first 30 minutes.

The visitors were able to capitalise on their man advantage in the second period, scoring three times – including Bayli Spencer-Adams’ late header – to seal a maiden victory on the road this campaign.

Speaking to LCFC TV following full-time in York, Fitzhugh gave an insight into how coach Ben Petty set the side up after the break, allowing the forward players to create chances and ultimately turn the game around.

He also talked through his 13-minute second-half brace, levelling the scores before edging the away side into the lead for the first time in the contest, an advantage they extended to move up to eighth in the league standings.

“He (Ben Petty) said be patient and work the opportunity and that’s exactly what we did,” the attacker revealed in his post-match interview.

“I saw JT (Tawanda Maswanhise) go down the wing and I saw the space in the middle. It was open, but he needed to get the ball right, which he did. I was free and luckily I was able to head it past the ‘keeper and score the first goal.

“Bayli [Spencer-Adams] did really well with the set up (for the second) and I was able to swing my right boot at it and luckily it went in. I feel I’ve taken my opportunity tonight.”

Adding his name to the scoresheet for the first time since his transition into the Under-23s squad, the 19-year-old is now aiming to repeat the feat when City are next in action against Blackburn Rovers Under-23s on Friday 17 December (7pm GMT kick-off).

“I’m over the moon,” the Academy graduate added. “It’s my first two goals of the season, I’ve been itching to get goals and as a forward player, you need goals to be able to be successful.

“I feel like the two tonight here have set me off well for the next game against Blackburn. Hopefully I can get on the scoresheet again. We go there in good spirits after winning tonight and we’ll go again looking for the three points.”