Brentford
Derby County Under-21s slid to a 4-1 defeat against Brentford B at the Proctor Cars Stadium in the Premier League Cup on Friday night.
The Rams' Under-21s were looking to return to winning ways after falling to a 2-0 defeat against Wealdstone in the National League Cup on Tuesday night. Their last outing in the Premier League Cup for Jake Buxton’s side saw them emerge the victorious side in a high-scoring 4-3 thriller against Chelsea last month.
The away side’s quality told as two goals in the first half and a penalty in the second period completed a hat-trick for Brentford captain Ethan Brierley.
Derby substitute Owen Eames narrowed the margin with a goal in the 85th minute but a ruthless Bees side provided an immediate response, with Isaac Holland netting on the break to put the game to bed.
Brentford started fastest out of the gate with Brierley’s strike from the edge of the box in the fourth minute, after a well-worked short corner, left Derby goalkeeper Harley Price with no chance to save.
The Rams looked to mount their first chance in the 13th minute when Cruz Allen went on a mazing run down the left flank and won a corner at the byline, but the resulting delivery was well cleared by a disciplined Bees defence.
Three minutes later, Emmanuel Ilesanmi pirouetted through a crowd of players and looked to have created an opening, but he was felled to win a free kick from 25 yards out.
Buxton’s side put together a promising spell of possession in the 21st minute with Niall McAndrew, Jack Perry and Ilesanmi making moves to stretch Brentford’s defence. The move found Marcel Tola on the edge of the area, but his shot from distance flew over the bar.
The scores were somehow kept at 1-0 in the 41st minute when an erratic goalline scramble saw the visitors have multiple chances denied by some tenacious defending from the Rams, who threw their bodies in front of numerous sure-fire shots on goal.
But Brentford’s second goal did come two minutes later as left-back Tony Yogane delivered a pinpoint cross to the far post that Brierley met on the volley.
It could have been three going into the break but for some alert goaltending from Price who got down well to save as Yogane forced an acrobatic stop at the near post.
Derby midfielder Allen came close with the first attack of the second half as his left-footed strike from distance looked to have beaten the Brentford goalkeeper, but sailed just past the post.
A penalty for the gave the Bees aa three goal advantage in the 75th minute. Yogane was judged to have been impeded unfairly as he burst into the box towards Tristan Gill in the Rams’ defence. The spot-kick was slotted home by Brierley - his low strike just evaded the grasp of Price to secure the hat-trick.
Derby substitute Eames pulled one back for the Rams in the 85th minute, as he pounced in the box to beat goalkeeper Reggie Rose.
However, the momentum didn’t last long for the Rams as Holland provided an immediate response when he emerged at the back post to steer home the visitors’ fourth goal and round off the scoring.
The result leaves Derby third in Group I of the Premier League Cup with two matches left to play, level on points with Chelsea and Brentford.
Next up for the Under-21s is a trip to Fulham in Premier League 2 on Friday 13th December (7pm kick-off), while their next Premier League Cup outing is on Friday 24th January at AFC Bournemouth (7pm kick-off).
Derby County Under-21s: Price (GK), Gordon (D. Robinson 53), Gill, Tola, Osayande, K. Robinson (C), Perry, Allen (Eames 65), Ilesanmi (Oguntolu 53), McAndrew (Spencer 53), Osong.
Substitute Not Used: Thompson (GK).
After the fixture Under-21 Lead Coach Jake Buxton said: “It was very much a difficult night for our young group. We were second best all over the pitch this evening and couldn't match the fight and physical presence of Brentford. We struggled to adapt this evening and play to the conditions.
“We have shown over previous games when asked to compete, battle and show great togetherness that we can - but we found it tough tonight.
“A lot of hard work is required on the training pitch to make sure we improve and move on positively into the next game.
“Overall a disappointing evening after a lot of effort went into making the pitch playable. We would all like to thank Matlock's staff and volunteers for their hard work to make sure the fixture happened with the heavy rain.”
