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davieG

U21s / Development Squad 2013-14 Put it in here.

By davieG, in Leicester City Forum

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davieG

davieG

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Summer signings Ignasi Miquel and Zoumana Bakayogo both played 90 minutes as City’s Development Squad got their Barclays U21 Premier League season off to a flyer with a 3-1 win over Middlesbrough.

Jeff Schlupp opened the scoring for City at Hartlepool United’s Victoria Park with a cool finish after an eye-catching turn of pace midway through the first half, before an equally impressive finish from Ben Marshall doubled the advantage on the hour mark.

 

A feisty Middlesbrough side, who saw a penalty saved by Adam Smith in the first half, then pulled a goal back through Andrew Halliday’s long-ranger with 15 minutes left, but Tom Hopper put the result beyond any doubt with a sensational left footed strike worthy of winning any match.

 

Manager Steve Beaglehole named an experienced side for the trip face Boro, with loan signing from Arsenal, Miquel pulling on a blue shirt for the first time in a defence that included Bakayogo at left back and U21s skipper Alie Sesay at right back.

 

Schlupp, Martyn Waghorn and Marshall also featured opposite a home side that started with midfielder Luke Williams – who came off the bench on the opening day of the Championship season against City’s senior side.

 

A heavy rain shower just before kick-off meant the pitch was particularly quick in the opening stages. However Boro’s Cameron Park should still have done better on two minutes when Adam Reach’s ball gave him an open goal to aim at, only for the No10 to miss from five yards.

 

Another fine chance for the home side to take the lead came and went on 14 minutes after City trialist Angus McDonald was adjudged to have fouled Wilson Kneeshaw inside the area by referee Andrew Miller.

 

Andrew Halliday was elected to take the spot kick, which he struck powerfully with his left foot towards the bottom right corner, but City’s former Boro youngster Adam Smith guessed the right way and made a super save to keep it at 0-0.

 

After an opening period that saw the home side have the better of the chances, it was City who were able to produce the clinical finish required as they took the lead through Schlupp on 25 minutes.

 

The ball was played into the striker’s feet with his back to goal on the edge of the area before he displayed a brilliant turn of pace to lose his marker and slot a confident shot past Luke Coddington.

 

It was a moment that seemed to ignite City’s creative spark as they looked far more lively from that moment on – Waghorn and Marshall both going close from long range, while Coddington made a smart stop to cut out a dangerous Hopper cross to keep it at 1-0 going into half time.

 

Boro made two changes after the break, while City opted to use Hopper in a more central position as they sought a second goal to further establish their lead.

 

The main threat for City continued to be Schlupp, as in the 53rd minute his pace took him away from his full back with ease, allowing him to cut a neat ball back for trialist Ryan Watson. However the former Wigan man couldn’t keep his first-time effort down as it whistled over the crossbar.

 

As it turned out, City’s wait for a second goal was well worth it - Marshall delivering a brilliant finish on 60 minutes.

 

Waghorn picked out the midfielder’s run with a well-timed ball before Marshall did all the rest – looking like he was about to take the ball around the goalkeeper before clipping a perfect chip over him and into the corner of the net.

 

Boro responded to some serious City pressure through some direct play of their own, hitting the post before finally pulling a goal back through Halliday – a powerful left footed effort from 25 yards that found the bottom corner with 15 minutes left.

 

Just 180 seconds later, though, City’s two-goal cushion was restored thanks to Hopper. The striker picked up the ball on the right, before embarking on a mazy run that ended with a thunderous drive on the angle from the left side of the box that cannoned in off the upright.

 

Middlesbrough huffed and puffed in an effort to salvage a point in the closing stages, but with the addition of Harry Panayiotou late on, City’s pace on the counter was becoming a significant threat, and helped them to comfortably see out the game 3-1.

 

Middlesbrough (4-3-3): Coddington, Bennett, Burn, Jackson ©, Meling, Morris (Jones 46), Reach, Williams (B. Halliday 82), Kneeshaw, Park (Waters 46), A. Halliday

 

Subs not used: Fryer, Weledji

 

Goal: Halliday 75

 

City (4-4-2): A. Smith, Sesay ©, Bakayogo, Nkumu (Cain 80), Miquel, McDonald, Marshall (Panayiotou 82), Watson, Waghorn, Hopper, Schlupp

 

Subs not used: Taft, J. Smith, Elder

 

Goals: Schlupp 25, Marshall 60, Hopper 78 

 

Referee: Andrew Miller

Read more at http://www.lcfc.com/news/article/120813-u21s-report-boro-1-city-3-988485.aspx#ydbjA0s5cpgQoqrj.99 

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ramadaone

ramadaone

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We were flattered by the result to be fair to Boro

Much stiffer tests await which is exactly what the youngsters need - will be worth going down to the KP on a Monday night to take a look at Manures,Chelskis etc rising stars

Hope we don't play too many over age players as that just defeats the object - Fuctas,Gallagher etc should struggle to get game time

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davieG

davieG

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Leicester City youngster Tom Hopper says he is relishing the prospect of testing his skills against youth football’s big guns in the Barclays U21 Premier League this season.

The 19-year-old rounded off the scoring for Steve Beaglehole’s Development Squad in their season opener against Middlesbrough at Victoria Park on Monday night – a venomous left foot strike in a 3-1 victory, and is eager to add to his tally.

A striker by trade, Hopper has shown his versatility and willingness to help the team by featuring as a left sided centre half for Nigel Pearson’s first team in pre-season, and even started on the left flank against Boro.

And for the Boston-born youngster, who took part in a pre-season training camp in Austria with the first team, it has all been a wonderful learning experience so far.

He told LCFC.com: “It gives me massive confidence to be around the first team and for them to be giving me plaudits as well is just great.

“I was making up the numbers in Austria at centre back, and I think I did well in some 11 v 11 games and the gaffer quite liked me there so wanted to see me in a game to see if I could handle it. So he put a bit of faith in me in pre-season and I gave it a go.

“I had my loan spell with Bury last season obviously and now this is my first real taste of the U21s Premier League with our Development Squad. As you’ve seen the standard really is great, and to play in Football League stadiums as well is only going to benefit us. It’s a great league and we’re delighted to be part of it."

The next challenge for the U21s is a Monday night tie against Sunderland at King Power Stadium, and with the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City all set to visit this season, it’s an exciting prospect for Hopper.

“I can’t wait to get them all down to King Power Stadium!” Said the youngster.

“They’ll be hard games, as they all are in this league so we’ll have to take each game as it comes and see how we can combat them all.

“You’re going to have high quality players playing in this league every week, whether they’re coming back from injury or getting some match fitness. It’s a great challenge for us all and I can’t wait to come up against all these big teams and players – that’s why I play football."

As far as the win over Middlesbrough went, the young striker was delighted with the display and to join Jeff Schlupp and Ben Marshall on the scoresheet. He added: “It was a good workout for the lads, and I’m obviously pleased to get my first goal of the season.

“Hopefully there will be plenty more to come, depending on where I’m playing!

“It seemed to open up eventually for my goal after winding my way through the defence. Luckily I hit the ball well and it’s always nice to get a goal, and especially at that point in the game it was 2-1 so it was nice to get that two-goal cushion back.

“I came to the club as a striker so I suppose I still class myself as a striker but I’m the type of player that will slot in anywhere if I need to do a job, and I like to think I do those jobs well.”

Read more at http://www.lcfc.com/news/article/130813-hopper-off-the-mark-989812.aspx?#L6Ic1U9b4Uf1lfu8.99 

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davieG

davieG

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City fans will have their latest chance to see the Club’s promising Under-21 squad in action on Monday 19 August, as Steve Beaglehole’s side host Sunderland at King Power Stadium.

And to celebrate the first game in our 2013/14 Future Foxes series, admission will be FREE for Season Ticket Holders for this fixture, when claimed in advance.
 
Now competing in the Barclays Under-21 Premier League, the young Foxes made a terrific start to life in the top flight with a 3-1 win at Middlesbrough in their opening fixture and will be looking to make it a North East double in their first game on home turf.
 
The Black Cats will be the first in a series of big-name visitors to make the trip to King Power Stadium in the Under-21 format, with Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City all due to visit Filbert Way over the course of the campaign.
 
And with young starlets such as George Taft, Michael Cain and Tom Hopper all eager to carve out a path to the first team setup, the stage is set for an exciting series of development matches at the home of the Foxes.
 
Under-21 league rules also permit the involvement of up to three overage outfield players, plus an overage goalkeeper, meaning young sides can often benefit from the experience of first team regulars in need of match time, also giving supporters an additional chance to see established stars from both sides in action.
 
Monday night’s game at King Power Stadium kicks off at 7pm with admission by ticket in the West Stand. Tickets will be free for Season Ticket Holders (one per season ticket) if claimed before 12noon on Monday, or otherwise priced £3 for Adults and £1 for Under-18s/Over-65s.
 
Season Ticket Holders wishing to claim a free ticket should call the City Sales Centre on 0844 815 5000 or visit the City Fanstore at King Power Stadium before 12noon on Monday. Non-Season Ticket Holders can purchase tickets in advance online at www.lcfcdirect.com, from the City Sales Centre on 0844 815 5000 or from the City Fanstore at King Power Stadium. Tickets will also be available to buy on the night from the City Fanstore.
 
On-site car parking will be free to Season Ticket Holders and £3 for non-Season Ticket Holders.
 
If you run a community group that would be interested in taking part in pre-match entertainment, contact[email protected].

Read more at http://www.lcfc.com/news/article/130813-see-citys-u21s-host-sunderland-988768.aspx#zItdcsqXzjUqERoc.99 

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