U21 Report: Leicester 1-2 Saints

After surviving some early pressure, Luke Pearce gave Saints the lead with a composed finish after rounding the goalkeeper.

Pearce doubled his and Saints’ tally in the second half with a close-range finish after being picked out by an unselfish Princewill Ehibhatiomhan.

Tawanda Maswanhise reduced the deficit but Saints dug deep to seal the narrow victory on the road.

After a trio of youngsters were involved in the first team’s Emirates FA Cup clash a day prior, Saints made a total of six changes from their last outing.

Princewill Ehibhatiomhan returned to the Under-21s. (Photos: Isabelle Field)

In their first away game for just shy of two months, Saints found themselves under pressure instantly with Leicester somehow spurring chances for an early opener.

Logan Briggs missed twice within the fifth minute, initially skying a first time shot after connecting with a whipped cross from Silko Thomas.

The same combination linked up seconds later when Thomas regained possession in a dangerous area, racing to the byline and cutting back to Briggs who somehow skewed the ball wide of a gaping goal.

Saints’ first chance came on the counter as Princewill Ehibhatiomhan combined with Will Merry, with the former taking on a shot from the edge of the box that was gathered by Brad Young in goal.

Kian Pennant then went close with another pair of Leicester chances; the forward headed over at the back post before seeing a shooting opportunity denied by a vital defensive touch from Zach Awe.

Saints then turned the screw and had the ball in the back of the net twice within a minute as, after Jake Vokins’ penalty area finish was ruled out for offside, the opening goal arrived.

High pressure on Leicester’s short goal kick paid off when Pearce latched on to the ball, rounding the goalkeeper and slotting home from close range.

Pearce is congratulated after opening the scoring.

With the early deadlock broken, the game opened up and the dangerous Thomas surged forward once more for the hosts, pushing the ball inside but shooting wide after delaying his attempt on goal.

Saints then spurned a close-range opportunity of their own when Merry beat his man on the right and cut back to Pearce, who this time fired wide of the mark.

Josh McNamara made an important save in the final minute of the half when he collected a goal-bound header from Briggs at close range, ensuring a one-goal lead at the break.

As in the first half, Leicester started quickly and should have levelled proceedings early in the second period when Briggs hit the crossbar with a header from 12 yards.

Pennant then wasted another inviting opportunity as he raced clear one-on-one but fired wide with only McNamara to beat.

Leicester were once again made to rue their missed chances when Pearce doubled his and his side’s tally, rounding off a slick team move when Ehibhatiomhan unselfishly squared the ball for a simple finish.

Pearce celebrates his second.

Saints held their lead with composure, despite the hosts knocking on the door with some half-chances, before the Foxes were able to half the deficit in the 83rd-minute.

Substitute Maswanhise was played in behind the defence and slotted home with confidence, setting up a tense finish to the game.

The hosts saw yet another big opportunity go begging as the minutes ticked away when Amani Richards connected with a knock-down header but blazed over.

In stoppage time, the hosts thought they’d rescued a point when the ball was headed in amongst a crowded penalty area but their celebrations were cut short by the offside flag.

The drama continued to the final set-piece of the game when Leicester goalkeeper Brad Young rose highest but headed wide with the final chance to equalise.

Saints saw out the victory and lifted themselves within touching distance of the knockout qualification places with an important three points.

Leicester City: Young, Cover, Wormleighton (captain), Cartwright (Joseph 68), Godsmark-Ford, Ali (Grist 49), Briggs, Ewing (Richards 59), Pennant (Maswanhise 59), Raikhy, Thomas.

Subs not used: Doherty.

Goals: Maswanhise 83.

Yellow Cards: Grist 85.

Saints: McNamara, Davis, Awe, Moore, Carson, Bragg (captain), Merry, Abu, Pearce, Vokins, Ehibhatiomhan (O’Brien-Whitmarsh 76).

Subs not used: Mohamed, Armitage, Stepien-Iwumene, Oyekunle.

Goals: Pearce 17, 58.

Yellow Cards: Moore 61, Merry 69.