3/1 To Win
Derby County exited the Carabao Cup at the Round One hurdle after a 2-0 home defeat to Blackpool on Tuesday evening.
A first-half brace from Jake Beesley was enough to ensure it was the Seasiders that would progress into Round Two of the competition.
First Half
Head Coach Paul Warne had made five changes from the side that fell to a 2-1 defeat to Wigan Athletic on the opening day of the 2023/24 Sky Bet League One season on Saturday including bringing in goalkeeper Josh Vickers for his competitive debut for the Rams after joining from Rotherham United in June.
The visitors had also made several changes and it was them that started the better, taking the lead within the opening seven minutes.
A cross wasn't dealt with by the Rams defence and was recycled back into the box from the left. Beesley got across his man to volley home into the far corner past Vickers.
The Rams looked to respond instantly and nearly did through the returning Martyn Waghorn but his shot from a tight angle was well saved by Richard O'Donnell.
Blackpool had an outstanding opportunity to double their lead after 20 minutes when Owen Dale found himself clean through on goal but Vickers stood tall to pull off a fine save and keep the score at 1-0.
A miscommunication at the back between Elder and Vickers saw the visitors double the lead with just over half-an-hour played.
The wing-back looked to head back to his goalkeeper but headed straight into the path of Beesley who bagged his second of the evening by rolling the ball into an unguarded net.
The Tangerines really should have made it three before the break. Beesley beat Eiran Cashin for pace before laying off Sonny Carey who blazed over from inside the area.
Second Half
Warne responded by making a triple substitution at the break with Liam Thompson, Joe Ward and Craig Forsyth all coming on to replace Conor Hourihane, Kane Wilson and Sonny Bradley respectively.
The Rams had to up their performance in the second period and they certainly looked more threatening - Waghorn bending one inches wide following Max Bird's through ball.
Washington was next to test O'Donnell when he fired a decent strike on goal from a tight angle after latching on to the end of Ward's perfectly weighted pass.
Young striker Dajaune Brown was brought on for his senior debut in the second half as the Rams searched for a way back into the contest and his first action was some neat link-up play down the right with fellow substitute Ward that nearly let James Collins through on goal.
Blackpool substitute Kyle Joseph forced Vickers into a fine save as the Seasiders looked to catch the Rams on the break in the final stages.
Chances dried up for both teams in the dying minutes as Blackpool ensured it was they who would be in the hat for Round Two later this week.
The Teams
Derby County: Vickers (GK), Wilson (46' Ward), Hourihane (C) (46' Thompson), Bradley (46' Forsyth), Cashin, Bird, Waghorn (73' Collins), Smith, Washington (73' Brown), Elder, Nelson.
Substitutes not used: Wildsmith (GK), Robinson, Rooney, Bardell.
Blackpool: O'Donnell (GK), Connolly, Husband (C) (73' Tharme), Dale (73' Apter), Carey (61' Trybull), Dougall, Virtue (81' Morgan), Beesley (61' Joseph), Casey, Thompson, Lyons.
Substitutes not used: Grimshaw (GK), Ekpiteta, Hamilton, Lankshear.
What's Next?
The Rams return to Sky Bet League One action on Saturday and it's the first road trip of the season as they make the short journey to Burton Albion (3pm kick-off).
