- Leicester City’s Under-21s fell to defeat in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy on Tuesday night
- Northampton Town ran out 3-0 winners at Sixfields Stadium on matchday two of the group stage
- Foxes midfielder Henry Cartwright gave his assessment of coming up against EFL opponents
City’s Under-21s were on the end of a 3-0 defeat at Sixfields Stadium on Tuesday evening but were more than a match for their Sky Bet League 1 hosts during the majority of the contest, conceding twice in the space of 10 second-half minutes to take the game away from them.
Not too disheartened by the scoreline, the 19-year-old reflected on the positive aspects of the performance, while acknowledging that the Cobblers’ superior physical strength played a part in the end result.
“The lads were brilliant from start to finish,” Cartwright commented. “I thought we dominated the game, on the ball, off the ball and we were better than them in more or less every department, except from in each box.
“In the first half, we were very dominant, moving the ball well, creating a lot of chances, but didn’t have that final ball or didn’t get a shot off. We just couldn't turn the screw on them. From the outside looking in, we lost 3-0 and we got battered, but that wasn't the case at all.
“Technically, we can compete with them and in the first half, we showed we could be better than them in a lot of parts, but it's just that physicality we need to adjust to and playing the game. I think that's what we need to learn.”
A good experience to be involved in, the youngster is hoping for more opportunities, with a fixture against fourth-tier Notts County on the horizon next Tuesday, after playing 90 minutes in both previous Bristol Street Motors Trophy Southern Group F matches.
Contributing three goals and two assists in Premier League 2, meanwhile, has been a good return for the centre midfielder.
“I think in the Football League, they're taught to win games and we're more about performance,” he explained. “But these games are time to show that we try and win games, too.
“It just shows the margins and the difference between Football League football and Under-21s football. It’s massive because at the end of the day, this is where we want to be. For a lot of players coming through, this is a good stepping stone to try and get into the First Team at Leicester.
“We've got to come here and do it first, but it’s been good. We started PL2 really strong this year and the performances throughout have been really good. I just think the results haven't always showed that, especially tonight.
“I want to show my quality and show what I can do, especially in these games.”