3/1 To Win
A clinical 29-minute spell proved costly for Derby County’s Under 21s fell to a 6-2 defeat at Leicester City.
A clinical 29-minute spell proved costly for Derby County’s Under 21s fell to a 6-2 defeat at Leicester City.
Between the ninth minute to 38, goals from Kris Scott, Joe Dodoo (x2), Harry Panayiotou and Michael Cain established an irreversible five-goal mountain to climb in the second half.
The Rams, though came out much stronger in the second 45 minutes – scoring two goals through Shaquille McDonald and Kwame Thomas, which sandwiched a long range effort from Keenan King.
Predominantly an Under 21 group, Darren Wassall also had two trialists on show at Leicester’s Training Ground with Kacper Piechniak being given a second run out.
Emanuel Mbende, a Cameroonian centre back, is also on trial with the Rams from German giants Borussia Dortmund.
Despite a bright start from the visitors, it was the Foxes who opened the scoring through Scott after the midfielder rounded off a well worked move with a left foot strike.
Seven minutes later, the hosts, who ply their trade in Barclays Under 21 Premier League – Division 1, doubled their lead.
Similar to the first, Derby failed to clear their lines from a set piece on the right and after the ball came from right to left, Dodoo was on hand to rifle a low shot beyond Jonathan Mitchell.
The forward struck again four minutes later, before shortly after the half hour mark Panayiotou evaded two challenges in the area before poking the ball beyond the onrushing Mitchell.
With seven minutes remaining of the half, Cain, from deep, charged at the Derby backline before whipping a cross shot into the far corner of the goal in what was a chastening experience for Wassall’s side.
With five changes made, though, Derby came out much stronger.
McDonald got the Rams on the score sheet after he converted Max Lowe’s low centre, whilst Timi-Max-Elsnik was denied by the Leicester ‘keeper, Max Smith-Varnam on three separate occasions.
King’s sublime strike from range beat Mitchell as the hosts added a sixth, but only a little over a minute passed before Thomas tapped into an empty net to make it 6-2.
Derby County’s Under 21s are next in action a week today when they travel to AFC Telford.
Derby County U21s: Mitchell, Tuite (Stabana, 45), Mbende, Wassall, Lowe, Santos (Elsnik, 45), Guy, Koblenz, Zanzala (McDonald, 45), Calero (Vernam, 45), Piechniak (Thomas, 45)
Substitutes not used: Barnes (GK), Bennett
