3/1 To Win
A perfect hat-trick from James Collins and a goal from young striker Tony Weston on his professional debut saw Derby County seal a 4-1 win on Wednesday evening.
The victory means the Rams progress into the knockout stages of the Bristol Street Motors Trophy and do so with a 100% record to boot.
Key Moments
Adebayo Fapetu who was one of three youngsters making his first start for the Rams had the first effort of the evening when he blazed over from 25-yards after neat work on the edge of the box saw him work a yard for a shot.
Fapetu looked promising in the early stages and was inches away from an opener when he glanced a Louie Sibley corner just wide.
Fapetu was clearly full of confidence and nearly scored a goal for the ages. He intercepted a Wolves free-kick on halfway and spotted visiting keeper Dan Bentley off of his line. The midfielder took aim and struck an effort that had Bentley scrambling but the Wolves stopper was able to get back in time and tip over for a Rams corner.
Derby took a deserved lead right on the stroke of half-time through James Collins. Kane Wilson delivered an excellent free-kick which was knocked down by Eiran Cashin and prodded home by Collins from a yard out for one of the easiest goals he will ever score.
Josh Esen was introduced at the break for the visitors and capitalised on a defensive mix-up to level things up within the opening five minutes of the second period, drilling a cross-shot into the bottom corner from inside the area.
But it didn't take Derby long to retake the lead, Collins adding his and the Rams' second on the night. Wilson was again provider, whipping a delightful ball in from the right which Collins powerfully headed beyond Bentley.
Collins completed his hat-trick after an hour and it was a perfect hat-trick at that. Young substitute Tony Weston intercepted a loose ball from a Wolves defender and laid off Collins who bent home superbly from the edge of the area with his left foot.
Young defender Dan Cox nearly had an assist on his debut when his pinpoint delivery met Wilson's head but the latter was denied by a terrific stop from Bentley.
Wilson kept getting into good positions and this time headed just over following an excellent cross from another young substitute in Lennon Wheeldon.
But it was Wilson turning provider for the fourth goal and a lovely goal it was. He beat his man down the left and played through Weston who shimmied past his man and poked into the far corner for a goal on his professional debut.
Weston nearly had a second before the game was out but for another good Bentley save.
With six professional debuts on the night, it was a superb nights work for the Rams who progress into the knockout stages of the Bristol Street Motors Trophy.
The Teams
Derby County: Vickers (GK), Wilson, Bradley (C) (73' Osayande), Cashin (67' Cox), Collins (73' Wheeldon), Sibley, Elder, Fornah, Robinson, Brown (46' Weston), Fapetu (78' Allen).
Substitutes not used: Loach (GK), Hawkins.
Wolves U21s: Bentley (GK), Gonzalez (46' Esen), Barnett, Farmer (80' Lopes), Rees, Kandola, Birtwistle, Keto-Diyawa, Whittingham (80' Harper), Hubner, Chiwome (70' Kaleta).
Substitutes not used: Young (GK), Ojinnaka, McLeod.
What's Next Up?
The Rams return to Pride Park on Saturday and it's a big Sky Bet League One clash against Barnsley (3pm kick-off).
