Foxes u18 Aim For Gunners

[fludie]

At least there is one team doing well,

Leicester City's under 18 side take on Arsenal next Tuesday afternoon looking to book a place in the FA Premier Academy League Play-Off Final.

The Foxes won the right to take on the Gunners in the semi-final clash after storming to the Group B title.

And Steve Beaglehole's men will now be hoping to take their season a step further when they travel to Arsenal's training ground to take on the Group A winners.

Leicester lost just four of their 28 fixtures during the 2006-07 campaign - and scored an amazing 93 goals on their way to the title.

The winners of the semi-final clash will play Sunderland, who gained victory over Manchester City in their eliminator, at the Stadium on Light on May 20.

Leicester fans are advised that the Arsenal game will be played behind closed doors.

Meanwhile, City youngster Joe Mattock (pictured) was part of the England under 17 side that gained a 1-0 victory over France on Thursday to gain a place in the European Championship Final in Belgium on Sunday.

But the fledgling Fox now faces an anxious wait on his fitness ahead of the contest after picking up a hamstring injury in the win.

Mattock, who made his breakthrough to the City first team at the back end of the 2006-07 season, has so far featured in all four games of the competition.

 

[Steven]

Come on City, come on City.

 

[Fosse1884]

At least there is one team doing well,

"Leicester fans are advised that the Arsenal game will be played behind closed doors."

What is the reasoning behind this, seems strange to not let supporters cheer on the team.

 

[Hazzman]

"Leicester fans are advised that the Arsenal game will be played behind closed doors."

What is the reasoning behind this, seems strange to not let supporters cheer on the team.

Maybe because it's at Arsenal very executive training ground?

 

[fludie]

Lol, i like the avatar btw, ARSEHOLES

 

[fox58]

won 3-2

Sunderland in the final

 

[cleefox]

Well done to the lads.

http://www.lcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10274~1025609,00.html

 

[Mike - True Blue Tinter]

I wonder if Milan would offer free coaches to encourage some supporters to go to the Stadium of Light for the final??

 

[stevewalshwasgod]

Academy March On
Leicester City's Under-18s booked their place in the FA Premier Academy League Final with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Arsenal on Tuesday lunchtime.

Billy McKay (2) and Eric Odhiambo grabbed the goals for the jubilant Foxes.

Steve Beaglehole's side will now meet Sunderland at The Stadium of Light on Sunday (May 20) with the winners earning the right to represent their country at a tournament in Dallas later this year.

More details to follow in due course.

 

[Steven]

A cracking result for Rudkin, Beaglehole and all the lads. Well done. :icon_razz :icon_bigg

 

[Lako42]

W e have the best team in the country

 

[Graz]

Wow, that is absolutely fantastic! Arsenal are regarded for their amazing youth, so to beat them is incredible. Well done boys!

More in depth report from the Arsenal website:

"Arsenal Under-18s suffered their second Semi-Final defeat this season as Leicester edged them out in the Academy League play-offs at the training ground.

Steve Bould's side just missed out on a place in the FA Youth Cup Final last month and were thwarted this time by a purposeful Leicester side. Nonetheless, this has been a highly productive campaign for the young Gunners, who swept to the Academy League South title in some style.

The timing of this game, immediately after the European Under-17 Championships, forced Bould to field a weakened team. Fran Merida, who helped Spain to glory in Belgium, was an unused substitute while England duo Rhys Murphy and Henri Lansbury also played no part.

Billy McKay gave Leicester the lead after 10 minutes but Kieran Gibbs, among the substitutes for the first-team game at Portsmouth on Sunday, equalised straight away. Eric Odihombe restored Leicester's advantage after 64 minutes and McKay gave the visitors breathing space with his second strike 10 minutes from time.

Jay Simpson gave Arsenal renewed hope with a goal five minutes later but Bould's boys could not find an equaliser. Gibbs went close but his goal-bound shot was deflected over the crossbar in the final seconds."

http://www.arsenal.com/matchreport.asp?thisNav=fixtures&fxid=319259

Great stuff. Hopefully the boys can now do it in the final too!

 

[Steven]

Also from the OS.

Rudkin Hails 'Magnificent Achievement'

Walkers Youth Academy Manager Jon Rudkin was quick to heap deserved praise on City's Under-18s after they reached the prestigious FA Premier League Final.

The Foxes, who topped Group B, overcame Arsenal 3-2 on Tuesday afternoon to set up a clash with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Sunday (May 20).

"This is a magnificent achievement," said an elated Rudkin. "We turned in one of our best performances of the season against a major club within the Academy set-up.

"We are now all looking forward to the final but won't be taking anything for granted."

Billy McKay opened the scoring for the visitors after 20 minutes following some impressive work by Ryan Beswick down the flank.

Arsenal's Polish international keeper kept his side in the game with a succession of fine saves and was rewarded when the Gunners drew level soon after to make it one apiece at the interval.

Rudkin added: "Arsenal came out strongly after half-time and probably started the better but we maintained our discipline and shape and took full advantage as a result."

A tremendous goal from Eric Odhiambo restored City's advantage on the hour then a second from McKay 10 minutes later all but sealed the game as a contest.

The hosts pulled a goal back seven minutes from time but City's Under-18s stood firm to spark the celebrations.

"We didn't look edgy and didn't look nervous at all and fully deserved the victory," Rudkin said.

City: Pentney, Cox, Garner, Lycett, Rowe-Turner, Gradel (Chambers), King, Magunda, Beswick (Mattock), Odhiambo, McKay. Subs not used: Tuttle, Cisak, Howard.

 

[DesertFox]

At last! Something to celebrate. Well done the yute team!

 

[Fosse1884]

Probably Milan also was looking deeper into the squad when he purchased City.
Bright future with such an outstanding youth team
Well done lads, you have made us proud

 

[DesertFox]

Wouldn't be surprised to see McKay ahead of Hughes next season. He probably ought to be.

 

[Jeff]

This match kicks off at 11:00 on Sunday, which is crap for anyone who was thinking of going up there for the game.

 

[Steven]

This match kicks off at 11:00 on Sunday, which is crap for anyone who was thinking of going up there for the game.

I really hope they do it as they are doing it the hard way. :icon_conf :icon_conf

 

[Steven]

Is there anything we can do to show our support if we cannot get there?

 

[DesertFox]

Who gets to decide these venues? It seems like it's decided by whoever we play against! Fecking typical...