Cambridge City 2, Leicester 4, Positives and Negatives, Player Ratings and Match Report, FA Cup Fixture

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Russell Martin told us in his press conference that he would field a competitive side and not a reserve team, and he kept his word, giving starts to BDCR and Ilari Kangasniemi, leaving out Will Alves and Harry Souttar who was not involved.

There were also a place for Franco Ravizzoli in goal, replacing Alex McCarthy. McCarthy not in the squad having third alternative Dai Cornell on the bench.

The conditions was what Leicester had prepared for, playing on an artificial turf and with the rain coming down, there was a challange to get the ball correctly at times, but the start was one we hoped for, seeing a Leicester team on the front foot, taking command.

Cambridge City had done their homework defending deep and going for that opportunity that always will give the opponent a chance against Leicester having a number of errors in them, something that every opposition can utilize and take advantage from.

Leicester took the lead after 16 minutes, Louis Page scoring with a left footed shot from outside the box to the top left corner. Bobby De Cordova-Reid getting the assist.

As we believe this would given the team a lift, it became again the opposite, giving Oxford City a chance to come back in the game, when Leicester miss a number of half chances, struggles to get their passing correctly and using too much time on the ball, instead of getting those passes done much quicker.

Oxford City manage to equal after 31 minutes. A goal straight from a corner, Ravizzoli not shwing his best on that situation. Leicester doesn’t produce much for the rest of the half, seeing an opponent from the 6th tier making the most out of their opportunity. 1-1 at half time.

Into the next round ☑️#OXCLEI | @BCGame pic.twitter.com/Nm2GqUZrh4
— Leicester City (@LCFC) November 6, 2026

Leicester made a change from the start of second half, taking off Caleb Okoli, replacing him with Harry Howell. Howell makes a solid difference as his game is a bit more unpredictable than Luke Thomas, with the more defensive Thomas moving into the back three.

Harry Howell makes a good run towards the line, makes a great cross, Emil Riis heads the ball from very close range to the top left corner. Assisted by Harry Howell. Leicester are 2-1 up after 53 minutes.

Leicester continues to dominate, but again we feel they are stuck to this pattern of playing the ball backwards and keeping it to build up attack after attack, but mostly this stops just a few meters into the opponents half and they just make a silly backpass, instead of attacking the defender, something Harry Howell did a lot, and his attempts became crucial for Leicester.

The just minutes later a new goal for Leicester. Kamari Doyle’s left footed shot from the left side of the box to the bottom right corner makes 3-1 to Leicester, assist from Louis Page.

We all believed Leicester would be able to hold on to this lead comfortably at this moment, but instead another crack happens as the ball is lost in vital areas for Cambridge City to score again. Leicester to easily letting this 6th tier team coming into areas we would believe it was ability in this Leicester team to avoid, but instead, Oxford City 2, Leicester 3.

A couple of more substitutions done, Christian McFarlance, Olabade Aluko and Tommy Watson coming on, with the latter scoring in the 82nd minute to put the game to bed, Leicester are 4-2 up and this half banana skin affair looks to be settled, something it was.

Tommy Watson could have scored again a few minutes later. Admir Bristric also getting minutes towards the end, replacing Emil Riis.

Leicester deserved the win, and they did what they were supposed to do, against a team from a tier of football that should not be so difficult to play against as it was looking today.

Positives

Scoring four goals and winning the game
Ilari Kangasniemi getting his first start and showing his worth, he was the best Leicester player on the pitch
Creating a number of clear chances and giving some evidence that they can manage to get things correct in the end
Russell Martin using five subs and they all did well
Harry Howell at least tried to bring the team forward with good runs and a number of well placed crosses, one leading to a goal for Emil Riis

Negatives

Not a fluid game, having far from the control you should, against a team from this level
Too many chances missed, a lot of sloppy passing and not enough power, to start believing in this team
A lot of passing in your own half, not really penetrating enough, not having the vision to get those balls through
Again flank players are often turning back when they could make a good cross
Franco Ravizzoli looked far from a solid choice in goal, not really having a great day at the office

Line Up:
Ravizzoli 3, Okoli 5, Thomas 6, O’Hora 5, Kangasniemi 6, Lundstram 5, Braybrooke 5, Page 6, Riis 5, Doyle 6, BDCR 3 Subs: McFarland, Watson, Howell 6, Bristric, Aluko