COVENTRY CITY U18'S 1-1 LEICESTER CITY BY KEV MONKS
Team
Burke, Clarke, Gudger, Bottomer, Grandison, Christie, Blackwell, Grogan, Wilson, Bigirimana (Thomas 88), Jeffers Subs Not Used Adams, Didlick, Raffels, Henderson
Leicester
Ambrusics, Norburn (Hogan 56), Knight (Lyskow 85), Milnes, Bolger (sent off 70), Moore, John, O'Neill, Chamberlaiin, Hicks, Schlupp (Tebbutt 90). Sub Not Used Gill
HT CCFC 0-0 LCFC FT CCFC 1-1 LCFC
Goals Shaun Jeffers (51), Elliott Chamberlain (86)
Booked Gudger, Bolger X2,
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Coventry City U18's came within four minutes of being the first side to beat Leicester City in an Academy League fixture this season but finished with a 1-1 draw.
On a pleasant morning at the Alan Higgs Centre, the Sky Blues with Jordan Clarke, Jermaine Grandison and Shaun Jeffers all starting, were positive in all areas of the field in the first half.
Against a Leicester team, that was ten points clear at the top of the table going into the match, Callum Wilson, who played as a lone striker, had two chances in the first seven minutes. Packing the midfield with hard work from Luke Bottomer and Conor Gudger worked a treat and Steve Beaglehole's side were restricted to the odd break or set piece.
The Sky Blues had three corners and a free kick before a lovely run from Shaun Jeffers in the 32nd minute, saw Jordan Clarke on the right picked out.
The Covsupport News Service Young Player Of The Year drove a shot which, Ambrusics initially blocked with his legs. Wilson raced in but his effort was blocked again and Leicester escaped.
City keeper Lee Burke twice denied Hicks and John and four minutes into the second half, he made a brave block from Elliott Chamberlain. Jorrin John was first to the rebound but Jermaine Grandison was back to head off the line.
The Sky Blues deserved a goal for their efforts and in the 51st minute, it arrived thanks to Shaun Jeffers sweeping home from ten yards from a Wilson cross.
Jeff Schlupp was presented with a great chance in the 64th minute when he skated round Grandison but with the goal at his mercy, he drilled into the side netting.
Then on seventy minutes, the game changed. Leicester were reduced to ten men when referee Sarah Garrett produced a second yellow card following a deliberate handball by Cian Bolger.
However, rather than let, City have the numerical advantage, Leicester became more direct in their play and took the game to the Sky Blues.
City were hanging on and the City supporters in a good size crowd, were anxiously looking at their watches as Burge used his knees to stop a 78th minute shot from Hicks.
Leicester won two corner and in the 86th minute, they snatched a point when the ball fell for Elliott Chamberlain inside the penalty area and his low finish to send the ball into the far corner of the net was enough to give Leicester a share of the spoils from an entertaining game.