The Leicester U21s’ inaugural Premier League Cup campaign came to an end on Monday night as they lost 2-0 against Leeds United.
The home team started the match brighter as Archie Heron missed a header from the outside of the penalty box and defender Aidan Francis-Clarke, who is now on loan with the Saints, came close with a header. The game was contested at St Albans City. Then, another player on loan to St Albans, midfielder Jake Burger, nearly gave the kids the lead when his effort was stopped, while Leeds defender Diogo Monteiro came close to scoring a goal through his own net before it was saved by the woodwork.
Burger was again the focal point of the Hatters’ attempts, and on minute 19, Harry Christy turned over a shot from Burger. Nevertheless, the visitors held their own as the half went on, finally taking the lead. After a stint on loan at Oxford United and a first-team debut for the Whites, England U19 international Sonny Perkins gave them the lead on 36 minutes with a strike that beat Luton keeper Oliver Camis.
In less than 60 seconds, Charlie Allen, a Northern Ireland U17 international, beat Camis with a shot well beyond the area, doubling Leeds’ lead. Adrian Forbes’ team started to gather momentum in the second half as they tried to find a way back. Burger’s free kick was saved, Oli Lynch nearly scored from Joe Johnson’s long ball, and Joshua Phillips was unable to beat Christy close range.
Town continued to look for the goal their performance deserved as Alex Piesold sent an effort over the top, while in the closing stages, Christy denied Francis-Clarke’s 25-yard drive. Luton keeper Camis was called into action late on, preventing Luca Thomas from making it 3-0, as the Hatters were unable to grab a consolation, Burger narrowly off target, as they ended their Premier League Cup campaign with a sixth defeat from their six matches.
Hatters U21s: Oliver Camis, Jacob Pinnington, Joe Johnson, Axel Piesold, Aidan Francis-Clarke, Jack Bateson (C), Archie Heron (Jack Lorentzen-Jones 72), Jake Burger, Oli Lynch, Josh Phillips, Millar Matthews-Lewis (Sam Anderson 77). Josh Allen, Claude Kayibanda, and Henry Blackledge were not substituted in. Attendance: 470.
Leave a Reply