Academy Defeated In Opener

[Mark]

http://www.lcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/...~885014,00.html

Leicester City's under 18 side fell 3-2 at Blackburn in their opening fixture of the 2006-07 campaign on Saturday afternoon.

After early City pressure, the home side took the lead on 35 minutes, and would double their advantage 10 minutes after the break.

Blackburn then made it 3-0 on 65 minutes, before City rallied in the closing stages with goals from Billy McKay and Max Gradel - but it proved to be too little too late for the Foxes.

Speaking after the game, Academy Director Jon Rudkin said: "We started the contest very well and full credit to Blackburn's defence - they did everything to stop us scoring in the opening 30 minutes.

"But as the match went on Blackburn gradually got more and more into it.

"We may not have won the game, but we can take plenty of positives from it. The lads never gave up and almost grabbed a draw at the end. They showed great spirit.

"We knew that Blackburn would provide us with a stern test. Hopefully our performance will stand us in good stead for the rest of the season."

City: Pentney, Cox (Rowley), Magunda, Lycett, Mattock, Gradel, King, Tegan-Sie, Beswick (Jailow), Odihambo (McKay), Chambers.

[Thracian]

Plenty of promising players there.Nice to see Gradel on the mark again - what a lot of goals he scores for a winger.

Billy McKay's goal will please our Corby inquirer of a few days ago and expect people like Tom Tejan-Sie, Ashley Chambers, Eric Odhiambo, Andy King and a few others to make a mark this season.