U23 Report: Leicester 3-0 Saints

With the wind and the rain lashing down, and summer seeming well and truly over, it was Leicester who enjoyed the spoils in the Midlands.

The Foxes first came after 29 minutes, with Callum Wright's cross meeting Khyanya Leshabela at the back post who fired his effort into the top corner. 

Leicester's second came just after the break; Wright turning goalscorer following a commanding run by captain George Thomas. 

The third, which inevitably sealed the result, was a product of the 87th minute; substitute Josh Eppiah marking his return to action with a thumping effort into the roof of the net. 

It was a first half dominated by the conditions, something highlighted by the amount, or lack of, clear-cut chances.

Kayne Ramsey and Sam Bellis linked up well for Saints within the first ten minutes; the latter’s sliding effort well blocked before it could reach Leicester keeper Eldin Jakupović.

The home side also got in on the act and overall enjoyed the lion’s share of the limited efforts on goal; a Luke Thomas cross found George Hurst who headed just over Jack Bycroft’s crossbar after 27 minutes.

The Hurst chance preceded the opening goal, as Wright’s deep cross was met at the back post by Leshabela who fired it into the top right corner to give the Foxes the lead a minute before the half hour mark. 

Whilst the conditions may have calmed following the start of the second half, the home side's pressure did not. 

Seven minutes into the next 45, Leicester doubled their lead through the provider of the first, Wright, who benefitted from a strong run by skipper Thomas. 

Thomas picked up the ball in midfield and, following a marauding run, found Wright at the back post who picked out Bycroft's far right corner. 

Less than ten minutes later the Foxes nearly added a third. Substitute Eppiah made a strong surge through midfield before laying the ball off to Hurst, whose strong effort was well blocked for a corner. 

Much of the remainder of the second half was spent in midfield, as Leicester sat back and protected their lead whilst Southampton looked to respond. 

However, the result was put beyond doubt in the 87th minute when Eppiah snatched possession on the left wing, before cutting inside and firing into the roof of the net for Leicester's third.  

Head to Head Stats

• Possession (%)
  61

  39
• Shots
  13

  1
• Shots on target
  5

  0
• Corners
  5

  3
• Passes Complete
  311

  152