Under-21s
Derby County Under-21s completed an impressive comeback to draw 3-3 with Maidenhead United in the National League Cup at York Road on Tuesday night.
The Rams earned a point from the draw but the hosts took an extra point in the competition as the National League side won 7-6 in a penalty shoot-out following the 90 minutes.
Jake Rooney captained the side once again as he continues to regain match minutes and rebuild his sharpness after returning from a knee injury sustained in the first team's pre-season training camp back in July.
After Maidenhead took a two-goal lead, through Tobi Sho Silva and Joseph Ajose in the first period, Lennon Wheeldon and Darren Robinson netted to level the game in the second half. for Jake Buxton's side.
Ajose’s second goal of the game had the hosts ahead again with 20 minutes left to play but Harry Hawkins cancelled out the goal just three minutes later to earn a draw.
Derby struggled to get a foothold in the first half after conceding inside the opening 20 minutes as Sho Silva scored on the rebound from a free-kick.
The home side doubled their lead just ten minutes later through Ajose. A cross from Sam Barratt found the midfielder in space to allow for a comfortable headed finish.
After the interval, the Rams came out flying. They scored just three minutes into the second half following a close-range effort from Emmanuel Ilesanmi which rebounded kindly to England Under-19 international Wheeldon, who slotted the ball home.
Soon after the score was level, Freddie Turley’s corner picked out Northern Ireland Under-21 international Darren Robinson at the back post to head the ball into the net.
Maidenhead found themselves in front again with 20 minutes remaining through Ajose again, but just minutes later the Rams were back level after a thumping strike from Harry Hawkins crashed off the crossbar on its way to the back of the net.
As the game proceeded into injury time substitute Johnson Osong almost snatched all three points for Derby, but his low-driven strike collided with the post and went behind for a goal kick to send the tie to penalties.
Morten Spencer, Rooney, Kei Robinson, Owen Eames, Wheeldon and Tristan Gill scored for Derby from 12 yards, with Hawkins and Darren Robinson seeing their spot-kicks saved as Maidenhead registered the bonus point.
The Under-21s will return to action in the Premier League Cup against Chelsea on Friday 8th November at Matlock Town's Proctor Cars Stadium (7pm kick-off).
Derby County Under-21s: Thompson (GK), Perry, Rooney (C), K. Robinson, Gill, Turley (Osong 62’), Hawkins, D. Robinson, Allen (Eames 78’), Ilesanmi (Spencer 62’), Wheeldon.
Unused Substitutes: Evans, Osayande, Stepien-Iwumene, Richards.
Words: Joe Bird
