Youngsters shine in derby to reach final of youth cup
LEICESTER Road FC’s talented youngsters booked their place in the final of the Leicestershire Midweek Floodlit Youth Cup with a comprehensive 6-0 victory over local rivals Hinckley AFC U18s, writes Greg Rees.
Just three weeks earlier LRFC Youth had hit six past AFC in the league, so they were full of confidence.
But it was AFC who had the better of the first 15 minutes of a scrappy encounter that was played at a frantic pace.
As AFC’s initial energy levels dropped, however, LRFC got a footing in the game and took the lead when Niall Del Gesso finished a well placed effort in the far corner after the keeper saved his first attempt.
As the game went on, Leicester Road grew more and more into it. Soon after, an inviting cross from the right hand side was firmly headed in by Andy Forbes to make it 2-0 to the Road.
It was a big blow for AFC youngsters just before half time.
The second half began much the same as the first, with AFC full of energy and purpose as they tried to salvage the cup tie.
But with Leicester Road continuing in full flow from the first half performance they were able to pass and move it around the tiring AFC side to great effect.
Within no time the game was out of sight for AFC, after two more well taken goals for Forbes made it 4-0 to LRFC - and a hat-trick for the young striker that his hard working performance deserved.
A well-worked training ground move led to the fifth goal, with a great front post run from a corner by Ben Humphries - who headed past the helpless keeper from point blank range.
The final killer goal quickly followed and it was another headed effort and a fourth for Forbes, who finished from a pinpoint cross from Kallum Mulligan from the left hand side.
LRFC U18s head coach Craig Naylor said: “The lads were superb and put into practice everything we have trained hard on over the last few weeks.
“They fully deserve their place in the final in March against a tough Heather St John’s FC U18s side.
“We’re all hoping they’ll be able to take inspiration from and emulate the senior team who won the County Cup Final at Holmes Park in Leicester at the end of last season.”