Win Over Addicks Hands U18s Top Spot
A 4-1 victory over Charlton Athletic sparked celebrations among City's Under-18s at Belvoir Drive on Saturday, as they secured top spot in Group B on a dramatic day in the Premier Academy League.
Playing in their final regular game of the season, the Foxes Youth Team knew a win over Group A leaders Charlton coupled with a defeat for Reading at Fulham would give them an unassailable lead at the top of their section.
And as the Royals tumbled to defeat against the Cottagers in the day's earlier kick-off, City took full advantage to book their place in the national semi-finals, where they will compete with the other three group winners for the Premier Academy League title.
A first-half goal from first-year scholar Michael Cain had put the young Foxes in front at the break, before second-year Matt Robinson doubled the advantage soon after the interval.
But Charlton pulled a goal back almost immediately to set nerves jangling, with Reading's defeat already confirmed.
City showed remarkable resilience to hold onto their lead, though, and scored a brilliant third towards the end through Jide Maduako, before Harry Panayiotou slotted home Louis Greenway-Tambini's pass in the final minutes.
Chasers Reading and Coventry still have a final game to play, but the win extended City's lead at the top of Group B to four points, securing their passage to the national semi-finals.
Academy Director Jon Rudkin said: "It was probably a bit scrappy today, Charlton were in a similar position to us in that they needed to win to help their chances of winning their group, but it was a great effort from the boys.
"It was a very tight game, but we scored some excellent goals that were really well taken. We got ourselves 2-0 up, but unfortunately conceded straight away and things got a bit nervy.
"Charlton probably looked the more likely to score at that point, but we weathered it, fought through it and scored two more goals to get ourselves clear.
"I'm pleased for the lads, along with Trevor Peake, Chris Tucker and all of the staff involved - they're a terrific bunch and now they can look forward to extending their season."
Hopefully some of them will get to break through to the first team.
