Academy

U21s Report: Leicester City 2-0 Leeds United

Whites beaten on the road.

leicester sonny.jpg

Premier League 2

Leicester City U21s 2 (Thomas 14’, 45’)

Leeds United U21s 0

Leicester: Young (GK), Cover, Grist, Godsmark-Ford, Wormleighton, Raikhy, Briggs, Cartwright, Richards (Pennant 84’), Ewing (Popov 66’), Thomas (Lindsey 80’). Subs not used: Doherty (GK), Donnelly.

Leeds: van den Heuvel, Cline, Sutcliffe, Coleman (C), Monteiro, Lopata-White (Cresswell 77’), Thomas, Chadwick, Perkins (McDonald 46’), Chambers (Toulson 70’), Snowdon (Richards 63’). Subs not used: Christy (GK).

Referee: Greg Rollason

Booked: Thomas, Briggs, Raikhy (Leicester) Lopata-White, Chambers (Leeds)

Venue: Leicester City Training Ground

Leeds United Under-21s fell to defeat on the road in the Premier League 2, with Silko Thomas’ first half brace proving enough for Leicester City Under-21s.

On a bitterly cold and windswept night at the Foxes’ training ground, Luca Thomas almost got the Whites off to the perfect start when he picked the ball up out on the right.

The winger cut in-field onto his favoured left foot, curling an effort from outside the area which had Brad Young in the Leicester goal beaten all ends up, only to be denied by the post.

Moments later, the hosts took the lead somewhat against the run of play when Silko Thomas latched onto a long ball on the left, darting into the area and firing beyond Dani van den Heuvel.

Amani Richards then had two great chance to extend his side's lead, first dragging an effort past the far post after a good lay off from Henry Cartwright.

The Foxes forward then lashed wide from close range at the front post, after the ball had set up invitingly for the striker.

As the match approached half time, Scott Gardner’s side thought they had got back on level terms when Thomas was on hand at the back post to bundle home Rhys Chadwick’s drilled cross, only for the offside flag to go up against the winger on the far side.

The sucker punch came moments later for the Whites, when Thomas extended the hosts lead on the stroke of half-time, tucking Richards' low cross home after a quick counter down the right.

HALF TIME: Leicester City U21 2-0 Leeds United U21

United started the second half brightly as they looked to get back in the game, with Harvey Sutcliffe first forcing Young into a smart save from distance, before the Foxes needed Oliver Ewing to make a wonderful block to deny Joe Snowdon's fierce drive from inside the area.

Despite squandering opportunities in front of goal, Richards continued to be a threat on the break for the hosts and would have been through on goal just before the hour mark, if not for a fantastic last-ditch tackle from Diogo Monteiro.

Logan Briggs then had a chance to grab another for Leicester but was unable to keep his header down after a deep cross into the box from Thomas on the left flank.

Hampered by conditions in the second half, neither side were able to enjoy large spells of possession, but despite the scoreline, Gardner's side still had sights of goal as they searched for a response.

Thomas, capable of the spectacular this season, saw Young off his line from the halfway line and tried his luck, only for the retreating goalkeeper to collect his audacious lobbed effort.

The woodwork was then to deny Leeds for a second time as the clock ticked over 90, with Sutcliffe's header cannoning back off the upright before Young collected.

FULL TIME: Leicester City 2-0 Leeds United U21

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