Match Reports

Foxes Claim Top Spot

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Andy King’s late goal sent Leicester back to the top of League One, condemning Scunthorpe to their fourth defeat of the season.

An army of 2,200 City fans had braved the cold and taken the trip North to see their side aim to snatch the top spot from right under their nearest rivals nose’s.

Manager Nigel Pearson drafted in striker DJ Campbell to replace the suspended Steve Howard in his only enforced change from last week’s draw at Swindon.

The game began in end to end fashion, but it was the home side who created all the early pressure on the Foxes. Some nervous moments in the penalty area handed the chance for Scunthorpe to grab an early goal, but their attempts were well dealt with by the City defence.

Leicester created their first real chance of the game after 5 minutes when Fryatt saw his effort blocked from close range. It was Fryatt again who found himself in the penalty area once more just moments later, but couldn’t produce to beat Scunthorpe goalkeeper Joe Murphy from close range.

Despite City’s efforts, Scunthorpe continued to press, and stretched the Foxes’ defence when Paul Hayes saw his powerful shot superbly blocked by centre back Michael Morrison to prevent any damage.

It was the away side who grabbed the game’s first goal after 23 minutes. Matty Fryatt’s clever pass fed winger Lloyd Dyer, who in turn paced away expertly to slot the ball between the helpless keeper Murphy’s legs.

Leicester had their goalkeeper to thank just moments later, as the dangerous Paul Hayes forced an outstading save from Henderson.

Scunthorpe finally did get their goal however on 28 minutes following some poor Leicester defending. A throw in from the right fell at the feet of a Leicester defender who failed to clear the ball, and handed the opportunity to Hayes who made no mistake this time, unleashing an unstoppable drive past Henderson.

Both sides continued to push for a second goal, firstly Woolford for Scunthorpe with a dangerous strike from the edge of the area which narrowly missed the far post, and then King for Leicester who scooped over from close range.

Scunthorpe had their goalkeeper Joe Murphy to thank once again just before the break when he saved from DJ Campbell’s low drive following good play from midfielder Bruno Berner.

Leicester began the second period in bright fashion, and formed the half’s first decent chance when Oakley volleyed over from Mattock’s ball in from the left.

In truth the second period was a scrappier affair, with both sides failing to create many chances with any kind of substance. It wasn’t until late in the game when Leicester fashioned another Fryatt chance, his effort deflecting out for a corner. The resulting set play handed the chance for former Scunthorpe loanee Jack Hobbs to head narrowly wide of Murphy’s goal.

However, Leicester didn’t give up, and their persistance paid off when Welsh Under-21 midfielder Andy King latched onto a ball from midfielder, turned outside and unleashed a delightful shot into the bottom corner to leave Murphy helpless and the following Foxes fans jubilant.

The Foxes had to withstand heavy pressure in the final five minutes from the home side, but managed to hold on to secure a valuable three points that sends them back to the top of League One.

City: Henderson, Edworthy (Hobbs 75), Morrison, Tunchev, Mattock (Powell 66), Oakley, King, Berner, Dyer, Fryatt (Gradel 85), Campbell.

Subs not used: Martin, Hayles.

Iron: Murphy, Williams, Iriekpen, Byrne, Sparrow (Pearce 90), Hayes, Hooper, Mirfin, Woolford, McCann, Morris.

Subs not used: Lillis, Thompson, Wright, May.

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Seeking for mediocrity

2 comments

  • lincolnblue says:

    I cant see you dropping from this position now……

  • Jb_lcfc says:

    Definitely not going to be easy to keep it, but I think we’ll be somewhere up there come the end of the season. There’s a lot of teams who are fighting it out at the top!

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