It was a birthday to remember for Leo Castledine, who scored two and assisted one on the day he turned 17, though the celebrations were not just reserved for him as the hosts turned a dominant performance into a good win.

Michael Golding and Brodi Hughes were also among the goals as the team made it two wins from two at the start of the 2022/23 campaign.

The selection

The young Blues kicked off with a 1-0 opening day win at Arsenal and head coach Ed Brand made just the one change from that starting line-up for our first Cobham outing of the campaign.

Golding replaced Donnell McNeilly, while last weekend’s match-winner Castledine marked his 17th birthday by captaining the side and leading the line up front.

Fast start

Just like a week ago in north London, Brand’s boys came flying out the blocks and made their dominance pay with an early opener. Castledine’s deployment as centre-forward was indicative of the high-pressing game plan and that intensity from the front paid dividends as Foxes keeper Tyler Weeks cleared straight to the feet of Golding.

The midfielder took a few touches to steady himself and then unleashed a strike from 25 yards that found the back of the net via a heavy deflection.

Nevertheless, it was a perfect start for the hosts and the scoreline could have looked even better when Tyrique George advanced infield from the left with promise but blazed over the crossbar.

Birthday bonanza

Birthday boy Castledine continued to cause problems with energy and attitude on the press, winning the ball back and then thumping the post with a sweet left-footed shot.

Yet it didn’t take much longer for us to double the lead and Castledine was at the heart of it, slipping in Hughes to finish with composure. He got a goal to go along with an assist five minutes later in somewhat unlikely fashion as the teenager rose highest in the box to nod in George’s corner from the right.

The Blues were cruising, with Leicester’s only effort of the half coming from full-back Jahmari Lindsay’s burst forward, though Ted Curd was equal to the low drive. Castledine then almost had another headed goal following good work down the right flank between Hughes and Ato Ampah, the latter’s cross whipped in and the aerial effort flashed just wide.

Seeing it through

The second half was a quieter affair with the points practically secured and Leicester in damage limitation mode. Yet Castledine still made his mark, firing in a fourth goal of the day on the hour after more enterprising attacking play down the wing from Hughes, who turned provider with a well-timed release for the number 10.

Chelsea continued to find avenues of opportunity, particularly in wide areas through the lively Ampah, though the visitors ought to have reduced the arrears when Tom Brown’s header lacked the accuracy to trouble Weeks.

It was not all good news for Brand as the industrious Harrison McMahon was sent off with 15 minutes remaining after an innocuous tangle with Logan Briggs on halfway. Nevertheless, this was a good day’s work overall and a pleasing start to the new season continues.

What’s next?

Brand takes his side down the M3 to Southampton next weekend.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1) Ted Curd; Brodi Hughes, Harrison Murray-Campbell, Travis Akomeah, Somto Boniface; Kiano Dyer (Noah Hay), Michael Golding; Ato Ampah (Tyler Dibling), Harrison McMahon, Tyrique George (Chinoso Chibueze); Leo Castledine (c) (Josh Acheampong)
Unused subs Max Merrick
Scorers Golding 7; Hughes 30; Castledine 35, 60
Sent off McMahon 75

Leicester City (4-4-2) Tyler Weeks; Ben Grist, Tom Brown, Freddie Cook, Jahmari Lindsay (Mirsad Ali); Jayden Joseph (Abdullah Javid), Henry Cartwright (c), Jack Lewis, Amani Richards; Reece Evans, Logan Briggs
Unused subs Dillon Addai, Liam McAlinney, Yassine Toure
Booked Briggs

Referee Joe Dann-Pye

Pictures courtesy of Mark Sandom