Derby County’s Under-23s concluded their Premier League Cup Group C campaign with a comfortable 3-1 win at Reading on Monday afternoon.
Jahmari Clarke put Reading ahead early on from the penalty spot, but the Rams stormed back to deservedly pick up all three points.
They levelled within a few minutes of falling behind as Eiran Cashin nodded home from close range and second half goals from Tyree Wilson and Will Grewal-Pollard secured all three points for the Rams as they concluded their involvement in the Group Phase with five wins and a draw from their six matches.
Derby’s form earlier in the competition had seen them reach the knock-out stages as group winners with two games to spare, so the trip to the Select Car Leasing Stadium was an opportunity to gain some momentum for their upcoming Premier League 2 - Division 1 fixtures as they look to claw out the relegation zone.
Pat Lyons was able to call upon the services of Jack Stretton, Louie Sibley, Max Bardell and skipper Cashin with the quartet given the opportunity to get match minutes under their belts after sitting on the bench for Wayne Rooney’s first team in recent weeks.
In addition, winger Wilson continued his return from a long-term knee injury with another start to increase his sharpness and Under-18s goalkeeper Harry Evans made his first appearance for the Under-23s.
Despite starting well, with Sibley twice hitting efforts over the bar from inside the box, Derby fell behind after 14 minutes with Clarke netting from the penalty spot after Louie Watson felled Mamadi Camara in the box.
Derby continued to enjoy the better of the game and after Osazee Aghatise had a free-kick saved by Coniah Boyce-Clarke, Cashin rose highest to head home a corner from the Rams’ right by Grewal-Pollard from a few yards out to level the scoreline with 21 minutes played.
Lyons side had plenty of the ball for the remainder of the half and went close to taking the lead moments before half-time as Stretton created room for himself on the edge of the box to curl a left-footed effort narrowly wide.
Derby continued to press early in the second half and eventually took the lead for the first time in the contest with 57 minutes played as Sibley, after latching onto a loose Royals pass, teed up Wilson to curl a delightful left-foot effort into the far corner beyond Boyce-Clarke.
Wilson nearly netted another soon afterwards, but Boyce-Clarke made a good save after Aghatise picked out his onrushing run in to the hosts’ penalty area.
Derby further strengthened their grip on the game with 15 minutes left as Watson’s excellent ball in behind the home backline found Grewal-Pollard at the far post and the left-back made no mistake with a powerful left-foot drive into the roof of the net.
Sibley went close late on to adding a fourth, but it wasn’t needed as the Rams cruised to victory.
Derby will now wait to learn who their opponents will be in the knock-out stage of the Premier League Cup, while they will return to Premier League 2 - Division 1 action with a home fixture against Everton at Loughborough University Stadium on Monday 21st February (7pm kick-off).
Reading Under-23s: Boyce-Clarke (GK), Abrefa (Furlong 71), Paul, Senga, Osorio (C), Holzman, Epkenyong, Leavy (Murray 78), Camara (Chambers-Borgnos 71), Scott, Clarke.
Substitutes Not Used: Collins (GK), Hutchings.
Derby County Under-23s: Evans (GK), Bardell, Grewal-Pollard, Watson, Clarke, Cashin (C), Wilson (Matthews 65), Robinson, Stretton (Cybulski 65), Sibley, Aghatise (Kelly Caprani 87).
Substitutes Not Used: Brailsford, Roberts (GK).