Loughborough Uni FC defeated by City youngsters
LOUGHBOROUGH UNI FC 1
LEICESTER CITY U18S 3
LOUGHBOROUGH University FC managed to put in a good performance but were undone by a strong Leicester City U18 side at the Loughborough University Stadium.
The visitors took the lead inside five minutes before doubling it just before half time. The Scholars managed to get back into in on the hour mark, but the game was over as a contest not long after as the Foxes regained their two-goal cushion.
Leicester started the brighter of the two sides and a mistake by Loughborough keeper James Stallan nearly gifted Harrison Myring an ideal opportunity to score. Stallan recovered well however and managed to overt any danger. The Foxes pressure did bring about the first goal though, January signing Callum Wright drove inside from the left and his shot took a deflection and looped over Stallan.
Alassane Meite caused the Scholars problems all night with his direct running, and after skipping past three players his weak shot was well held by Stallan. he Foxes continued their dominance inside the first 10 minutes as a corner was met by the head of Lukas Husek, his header was tipped over the bar by Stallan to keep Loughborough’s deficit at one.
Loughborough began to grow into the game from this point, they produced neat and intricate passages of play, but their only real opportunity of the half was a Joe Boachie shot that flew over.
Leicester upped their intensity before half time in search of a second as Sidnei Tavares shot over before Wright saw a speculative overhead kick fly over.
The visitors pressure told and they did find the net again before the interval. Wright found himself in acres of space on the left and took one touch before curling into the far corner.
Looking to utilise all the squad ahead of important league games, Loughborough made 10 changes at the break, and this made a difference as they came out a lot brighter in the second half.
As the Scholars looked for a way back into the game, they created their best chance so far. Matthew Crookes cut inside beating a couple of Foxes defenders before having a low shot saved by Jakub Stolarczyk.
From that Crookes chance, Leicester countered at speed and Seb Thompson found the side netting when well placed
The Loughborough pressure finally told as they pulled a goal back. Great feet from Last in the box created a shooting chance and he managed to chip the ball over Stolarczyk to give the home side a lifeline.
The chance of a Loughborough come back wasn’t alive for long though as Leicester regained their two goal advantage moments later. The dangerous Wright again cut in from the left and a lucky deflection gave him a shooting opportunity. The youngster produced an incredible finish to find the top corner from outside the penalty area.
This goal killed the game as a contest, but the Scholars never gave up and good build up play saw Daly shoot straight at Stolarczyk from distance.
The young Foxes came closest to finding the back of the net in the last 10 minutes but the game finished 3-1 to the City U18s.