3/1 To Win
Derby County Under-21s came from a goal behind to beat Notts County 4-1 and continue their 100 per cent start in the Central League.
Super-sub Charlie Lindsay was on target twice, with Dajaune Brown and Riley Moloney scoring either side of his brace at Moor Farm Training Ground, although the game is classed as an away fixture, on Friday afternoon.
Despite going behind early on, the young Rams rallied to equalise minutes later and four emphatic second half minutes saw them score three brilliant goals.
Notts took the lead against the run of play in the 14th minute, as Harrison Iwunre slotted into the bottom corner from the spot.
The young Rams reacted well to going behind, with Tony Weston forcing two smart stops from Malai Perott as they searched for an equaliser.
Notts came close to a second, as Iwunre intercepted a loose pass and broke through, but Lewis Ridd made an excellent save with his feet to deny the striker his second of the afternoon.
Derby deserved an equaliser and it came through Brown. Captain Adebayo Fapetu drove into the Notts box to strike but, as his effort was blocked, the striker was on hand to volley the rebound into the bottom corner.
The Rams pushed to make it 2-1 as the first-half came to a close, but defiant Notts defending made sure they went into the break level.
It was a slow start to second-half proceedings, with chances at a premium until Lennon Wheeldon found himself one-on-one with the Magpies' goalkeeper, but he couldn’t get a shot off.
Substitute Lindsay proved to be the difference. He got his first of the afternoon after Derby’s high press forced an error, leaving Notts vulnerable and the Northern Irishman calmly slotted into the corner.
He then got his second in as many minutes, this time curling a beautiful free kick around the wall to make it 3-1. Derby’s fourth came almost immediately after the third, as substitute Cruz Allen played a lovely through ball to Moloney, who dinked a beautiful effort over the helpless Notts keeper.
The Rams now switch their focus back to Premier League 2 action, with a trip to Southampton Under-21s next Friday (11:30am kick-off).
Derby County Under-21s: Ridd (GK), Perry, Moore, Banks, Moloney, Hawkins, Fapetu (C), Richards, Weston, Brown, Wheeldon.
Substitutes: Shattell (GK), Jeffcott, Lindsay, Allen, Osong.
Words: Will Stanier
