Bodo Glimt 1-5 Leicester City
Bodo Glimt 1-5 Leicester City (Connolly 25, 67, de Vries 38, 40, Williams 75)
Leicester City kicked off their two-game tour of Norway in style with a comprehensive 5-1 victory over Bodo Glimt.
A brace a piece from strikers Mark de Vries and David Connolly plus a goal from Gareth Williams gave the Foxes the first win of their two-match tour.
Craig Levein fielded a strong starting line up for the contest - including recent signings Rab Douglas, Nils Eric Johansson and Momo Sylla.
Youngsters James Wesolowski and Alan Sheehan were also included in the side as the City chief plumped for a mixture of youth and experience.
And that combination would pay off on the night as Leicester came out easy winners in blustery conditions.
Joey Gudjonsson could have put City ahead as early as the fifth minute. The Icelandic midfielder unleashed a rasping drive from 12 yards, but Bodo goalkeeper Horn did well to block the effort. The power of the drive left the Bodo number one needing treatment.
Good work from David Connolly almost created an opportunity for Leicester on 20 minutes, but Gudjonsson stumbled at the far post with the goal gaping and the chance was wasted.
Connolly gave the Foxes the lead with 25 minutes on the clock. The Republic of Ireland striker collected a Jason Wilcox pass and fired an unstoppable angled drive past Horn from 18 yards.
Bodo's best chance of the half came in the 33rd minute. Runar Berg, by far the home side's most skilful player, tried his luck from full 30 yards, but his effort fell just over the bar.
Mark de Vries doubled Leicester's advantage in style five minutes later. The big striker, who has found goals hard to come by since joining the club from Hearts, turned on the edge of the area before nonchalantly stroking the ball past the helpless Horn. It was a fine finish.
And de Vries made it three two minutes later. This time he was in the right place at the right time to side-foot home from close range.
Craig Levein rang the changes at half-time, bringing on Williams and Richard Stearman for Joey Gudjonsson and Paddy McCarthy.
The home side should have grabbed a goal back on 57 minutes. Skilful work from Evan Iversen down the left created a chance for Stig Johansen, but his effort from 10 yards flew way over the bar.
Bodo were awarded a penalty when Alan Sheehan was adjudged to have brought down Havard Sakariassen two minutes later. Fans favourite Runar took the spot-kick, but he could only watch in despair as Douglas flung himself to the right to make a fine stop.
But the Norwegian's would finally pull one back a minute later - in somewhat bizarre circumstances. As a corner was cleared the referee signalled that there had been a push and pointed to the spot, to the disbelief of the 1,350 strong crowd inside the stadium. This time Sakariassen took the kick, and fired it firmly to Douglas' left.
Normal service was resumed on 67 minutes, with Connolly grabbing his second of the game. Sheehan weaved a fine ball through to the striker, who calmly chipped Horn from 25 yards.
And substitute Williams would make it five for City in the 75th minute. Connolly did well on the right to pick out his team-mate, and the midfielder simply had to side-foot the ball home from 10 yards.
City will now remain in Bodo until they travel to Oslo to take on Lillestrom on Saturday.
City: Douglas, Maybury, Sheehan, Gudjonsson (Williams 45), McCarthy (Stearman 45), Johansson, Syla, Connolly, de Vries (O'Grady 85), Wesolowski, Wilcox.
Subs not used: Henderson.
Bodo Glimt: Horn, Paulsen, Iversen, Kjolner, Halvorsen, R Berg, Theting, C Berg, Nissen, Johansen, Sakariassen.
Subs: Langnes, Brekke, Rastad, Bjorkan, Hogli, Sannes, Olsen, Signatur.
He's expected to complete his move today and then join up with the rest of the squad in Norway for the second friendly.
Williams scored.
