3/1 To Win
Derby County’s Under-23s put in a spirited display but were ultimately undone by an experienced Nottingham Forest side as Zach Clough led the visitors to a 2-1 win in the Premier League Cup at Pride Park Stadium.
The 22-year-old forward scored one and set up another for Matt Cash to cancel out Charles Vernam’s early opener and secure the points in Group A.
Forest featured five first team players in the starting eleven but Darren Wassall’s side weren’t fazed and they went in front early.
Luke Thomas continued his fine recent form by setting up the opening goal, as he swerved a couple of challenges before laying the ball off to Vernam, who fired home after 12 minutes with Forest keeper Stephen Henderson motionless.
Clough was at the heart of everything for the visitors from the start, nearly drawing his side level just six minutes after going behind with a swift one-two and shot that was kept out by Josh Barnes.
Virgil Gomis then tested Barnes again before a superb bit of play by Clough led to the forward curling an effort past the Derby keeper and into the bottom corner to make it 1-1.
The 22-year-old continued to threaten and he set up Lewis Walters on the stroke of half time but Barnes once again was equal to it.
Clough made his influence clear again after the break as he set up the goal that put Forest in front, laying the ball through to Cash who beat Barnes at his near post from close range.
18-year-old Jayden Mitchell-Lawson came off the bench for Derby just after the hour mark and he nearly made an instant impact, as he cut inside and gave the ball to Max Bird, whose long-range effort was tipped over spectacularly by Henderson.
Clough had another chance shortly after as he received a knock back from the far post, before Vernam headed just wide as Derby searched for a vital equaliser.
Forest substitute Arron Smith went close as the visitors looked for some daylight, but in the end the one goal deficit was enough for the away side to take the points back to the City Ground.
Derby County: Barnes; Stabana, Bateman, Wassall, Lowe; Bird (Macdonald, 74’), Guy; Thomas, Vernam, Walker; Jakobsen (Mitchell-Lawson, 64’).
Substitutes not used: Ravas, Cover, Karic.
Nottingham Forest: Henderson; Lawrence-Gabriel, Mills, Crookes, Ahmedhodzic; Bouchalakis (Edser, 75’); Cash (Taylor, 85’), Otim; Clough (Smith, 80’); Walters, Gomis.
Substitutes not used: Wright, Stewart.
Major Moment…
Throughout the tie, Clough showed the quality that persuaded Forest to bring him to the City Ground from Bolton Wanderers in January.
His first goal was a true demonstration of his ability, as he received the ball, beat his man and bent a precise effort inside the far corner to bring his side level, and it proved to be the turning point in the game.
Who Impressed…
Derby fought well throughout and their defensive unit had to withstand a lot of pressure to keep themselves in the game.
Joe Bateman especially handled himself exceptionally well, winning duels both on the air and the ground as he worked well in partnership with Ethan Wassall at the heart of the Rams’ defence.
What’s Next…
The Under-23’s schedule is interrupted by the international break but Wassall’s side have an exciting fixture waiting for them when they return, as they travel to the London Stadium to take on West Ham United in the Premier League 2 on Friday 17th November.
The Rams’ then welcome Leicester City to Pride Park a week later on Friday 24th November.
