Lewis: "An outstanding performance in difficult conditions"

Stuart Lewis has hailed an "outstanding performance" from his Under-18s side, following their 2-0 win away at Leicester on Saturday.

Lewis named a much changed side that saw Blake Irow, Oliver Salter and Ezra Agyekum step up from the Under-16s to make their debuts, whilst their team mate Dexter Oliver bagged a brace to take all three points.

Despite the positive result, the side bow out of the Premier League Cup on goal difference, with just two goals separating us in third from leaders Manchester United.

Reflecting on our sixth victory from 12 games in all competitions so far this season: "I thought it was an outstanding performance in difficult conditions, obviously it's an added challenge playing in the wind and the rain when it's like that, and I thought we did the real basics of the game very well. 

"Of course keeping a clean sheet and to score two excellent team goals was a real positive too."

The first goal saw Oliver and full-back Calum Logan link up down the left wing before the latter went on a jinking run past several men, all the way from his own half to the Foxes penalty area, squaring it back to Dexter to break the deadlock, whilst the second saw the youngster score a stunning effort from outside the box.

"I thought there was, there was some brilliant moments within the game and within the goals" said Stuart.

"Obviously the team move for the first goal was outstanding, and then the individual brilliance from Dexter on his left foot to score the second was a huge positive, as was keeping a clean sheet and we're looking to take that now into a really exciting month for us."

Speaking immediately after the full-time whistle, he was full of praise for the five schoolboys who stepped up into the squad, as Cameron Thomas came off the bench to feature in the second half alongside Blake, Oliver, Ezra and Dexter:

"It's a brilliant moment for the Under-16s whether it was their first start or first appearances for the Under-18s, Dexter and Cameron have stepped up before and have proven they can compete at this level.

"That was another positive to take, and I thought they all made a really good account of themselves." Stuart continued.

Stuart also took further encouragement from keep a clean sheet and from the young side to performing so strongly with snow on the ground combined with torrential rain and wind as Storm Bert began to wreak havoc over the weekend:

"Yeah, obviously your performance comes first and that was very good, but then to win the game to nil, and having some Under-16s in there especially for the goalkeeper as well was so nice." he said.

"There were some outstanding individual displays which is great, and a really positive performance as a collective in very challenging conditions."