Kerrea Gilbert- Hinckley United 4 Leicester City 5
On-loan Arsenal full-back Kerrea Gilbert made his debut for Leicester this afternoon as the Foxes took on Hinckley United in their first pre-season friendly.
Kerrea was thrust straight into the action and started the game in his preferred position of right-back. The team began the game like this:
—————-Logan———————
—Gilbert—N’Gotty———-Magunda—Rowe-Turner
—Adams—King————Oakley—–Dyer
———–Campbell———Howard———
Leicester were firm favourites for this one and proved their class by going a goal from ex-Derby striker Steve Howard inside 20 minutes. They then doubled their advantage through young midfielder Nicky Adams. It looked as if they were going to take control of the game and extend their lead even further. However, Hinckley soon responded to make the score 2-1 and heap pressure on the Foxes.
Then, in an amazing turn-around, Hinckley grabbed two more goals before the break to make it 3-2. One of them can only be described as a wonder goal, whilst Hinckley’s third was down to some poor defending from former Bolton man Bruno N’Gotty. It was difficult to take for new manager Nigel Pearson and the pressure was already beginning to pile on him. Foxes fans were becoming increasingly frustrated at their lack of ability up front as Campbell missed a couple of easy chances.
Kerrea made some forward runs and was one of the better City players in the side during the first-half, but at the back Leciester were struggling badly and needed to sort things out.
Half time-Hinckley United 3 Leicester City 2
As had been planned before the game, the whole eleven was changed at half-time which meant that Kerrea was substituted, despite his decent display. The team for the second half was:
—————–Henderson——————
—Cox——Morrison————Worley—–Chambers
-A.Chambers–Kishishev———–Wesolowski–Gradel
————Odhiambo———–Fryatt———–
With their fresh team, Leicester were looking for an inspiration. And they found one. Winger Max-Alain Gradel fired the Foxes back into the game with a sweet right-footed strike to make it 3-3.
Leicester seemed to have finally got the upper hand again, but the lead didn’t last for long as Hinckley struck once more to make it 4-3. It signalled more humiliation for Pearson and the fans were livid. They have seen their side turn from a Premiership club into a side struggling against a team from the Conference North.
Their dissapointment was short-lived,however,as Matty Fryatt scored from the penalty spot to make it 4-4. Then, amazingly, Ashley Chambers scored late on to make it 5-4. It was a rollercoaster of a game and Leicester were lucky to win it in the end but their perseverance managed to pay off.
Full time-Hinckley United 4 Leicester City 5
Leicester’s next pre-season game is against Luton Town in 10 days time, before further fixtures against Quorn, Kettering Town, Birmingham, Ikelston and Crystal Palace. The Foxes kick off their League One season on August 9th at home to MK Dons.
