City’s Under-23s Grab Last-Gasp West Ham Win
Brad Young, Bayli Spencer-Adams and Jake Wakeling came into the side for Jakub Stolarczyk, Filip Benković and Josh Eppiah as Ben Petty made three changes to the team that drew 1-1 with Chelsea Under-23s last week.
The visitors, meanwhile, came into the game off the back of four straight league wins, including a 6-0 victory over Manchester United last time out, and were in the ascendency early on in Seagrave.
They grabbed the initiative when Armstrong Oko-Flex pounced on a loose ball in the penalty area and confidently tucked it past Young after eight minutes.
Leicester looked to find an immediate response from Sammy Braybrooke’s corner, but Brunt saw his half-volley blocked inside the penalty box.
Young was then called into action on three occasions, comfortably saving from Pierre Emmanuel Ekwah before Dan Chesters capitalised on a mistake to sprint through on goal, forcing a diving stop from City’s ‘keeper. Harrison Ashby also tested Young, who tipped his free-kick, which was heading for the bottom corner, past the post.
After scoring the leveller last week, Wanya Marcal-Madivadua looked in confident mood and soon cut inside after carrying the ball forward, attempting to bend a shot inside the far post, though it landed the wrong side.
The leveller arrived after 42 minutes when Daley-Campbell’s low cross was turned into his own net by Jamal Baptiste. And the scoreline was nearly turned completely on its head moments later, as Marcal-Madivadua almost broke free, before Brunt headed wide from Braybrooke’s out-swinging corner.
West Ham were presented with the final opportunity of the half from Thierry Nevers’ right-foot shot, which was fired across goal, but did not trouble Young.
The Hammers also started the second half strongly, with City requiring a superb last-ditch sliding tackle from Ben Nelson to prevent Ashby getting a shot away in the box, ahead of Nevers’ effort being deflected wide.
Young then had to make another diving save from Nevers following good play by Oko-Flex, before a mazy run from Chesters ended when he fired over the crossbar.
Neat skill from Marcal-Madivadua created the home side’s next opportunity, setting up substititute Terell Pennant to find his attempt blocked. Braybrooke and Maswanhise then both tried to bend shots into the far corners, but neither could hit the target.
Brunt controlled Braybrooke's cross and laid the ball off for Daley-Campbell, whose strike was heading for goal but for a smart stop from Kinnear, who denied Daley-Campbell again, tipping the ball wide.
Nelson had to make another last-ditch tackle on Oko-Flex, before blocking Sonny Perkins’ attempt. The Hammers could have gone top of the league with a win in Seagrave but it was City who came from behind to take all three points.
With almost the final kick in stoppage time, McAteer whipped a ball into the box for Marcal-Madivadua, who created space for a shot, letting fly and seeing his shot deflect into the far corner, sparking scenes of celebration.
Major moment…
The equaliser just before the break was a real boost for the Foxes and ensured they went into the break on level terms. But it was Wanya Marcal-Madivadua’s late strike - his second goal in as many games - that proved to be the difference against an in-form West Ham team.
Who impressed?
Ben Nelson was a roc at the back for Leicester, making several superb tackles in the second half to keep West Ham at bay in the second half. Playing in the middle of a back three, there was plenty to deal with, but he defended well in the face of the visitors’ attacking play.
Where does it leave us?
The Foxes youngsters move up to 10th in the Premier League 2 Division 1 table, with 12 points accrued after nine matches, level on points with seventh-place Crystal Palace.
Coming up…
City’s Development Squad meet Arsenal Under-23s on Saturday 6 November, playing behind closed doors at Arsenal Training Centre (1pm GMT kick-off).
The details…
City: Young; Daley-Campbell (c), Brunt, Spencer-Adams (Ewing 62’), B. Nelson, McAteer; Mendy, Braybrooke, Marcal-Madivadua; Alves (Maswanhise 62’), Wakeling (T. Pennant 69).
Subs not used: Odunze, Flynn.
Goals: Baptiste (own goal, 42’), Marcal-Madivadua 90+4’.