Tawanda on target as U21s start campaign with a draw

LEICESTER City Under-21s played out a 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur at the club’s Seagrave training complex to kick-off their Premier League 2 campaign, writes Josh Holland.

The Foxes took the lead after 10 minutes when Tawanda Maswanhise’s header deflected off Charlie Sayers and into his own net. The lead lasted only six minutes, though, with Malachi Fagan-Walcott equalising from a Spurs corner.

Maswanhise grabbed his first goal of the season from close range shortly after half-time, before Spurs managed to pull themselves back after the hour mark through Nile John.

Chances were few and far between for either side, with Chituru Odunze denying Alfie Devine to ensure the draw late on.

The young Foxes got off to the perfect start when Maswanhise’s header struck Sayers and into his own net after the visitors failed to deal with a string of City corners.

However, the North London side were quick in their reply and scored their first goal of the season through Fagan-Walcott. The defender, who scored in the same fixture last campaign, was left unmarked in the box from a Romaine Mundle corner to level the scoring.

The first half concluded with not much between the two sides, with Sammy Braybrooke and Spurs’ Mundle the two most impressive players. However, the hosts restored their lead shortly after the break with a well-worked team goal.

Iestyn Hughes’ smart ball on the right allowed Kasey McAteer the time to play the ball across goal for Maswanhise to tap home. The striker, who scored 10 league goals last season, managed to find space inside the box despite pressure from Fagan-Walcott.

Just as they did in the first half, the away side responded swiftly to pull themselves level through John. The 19-year-old striker was in the right place at the right time to tuck home after Odunze palmed Jamie Bowden’s effort.

Petty used brothers Terrell and Kian Pennant off the bench as an alternative in the final 15 minutes, replacing Maswanhise and Ethan Fitzhugh. However, there was nothing to split the two sides in the closing minutes.

City’s U21s are next in action on Sunday (2pm) when they face Manchester City, before welcoming West Ham United to Seagrave on Friday, August 19 (7pm).