Derby County Under-21s fell to a 3-2 defeat in their first home game of the 2024/25 Premier League 2 campaign in Matlock on Friday night.
Jake Buxton's side claimed an early lead as Emmanuel Ilesanmi netted his second goal in as many league games for the Rams in the third minute and Lennon Wheeldon cemented their lead in the 38th minute.
City’s Jacob Wright pulled one back before the half time whistle from the penalty spot before a late double from Matthew Hendersson and Matthew Warhurst handed the visitors the win.
Match Report
Buxton’s Rams got in front early as Ilesanmi struck from close range after Riley Moloney's free-kick to the far post was headed towards the striker, who was alert and ready to finish.
The visitors attempted to take control of the game as they gained the majority of possession after the goal. City steadied the flow of Derby's attack as they looked to get a foothold in the match, but despite winning a corner and holding the ball around the box, they couldn't fashion a clear-cut chance.
Wheeldon and Moloney nearly struck a second Derby blow in the 18th minute as a well-built move and link-up between the attackers was squandered only by City goalkeeper Spike Brits getting behind Moloney's strike from the left wing.
The goalscorer became the creator in the 37th minute as a headed ball from Keilen Robinson in midfield found Ilesanmi in a perfect position to tee up Wheeldon, who tucked away a neat finish beyond Brits and into the right-hand corner of the goal.
The visitors fashioned a chance to get back into the game as Emilio Lawrence won a penalty just before the half-time whistle. The spot-kick was struck calmly into the back of the net by Jacob Wright to narrow Derby's lead heading into the second period.
City looked to further cement themselves on the game, with an early chance in the second period as Lawrence’s volley bounced into the ground and just beyond the crossbar.
Despite the visitors dominating proceedings on the possession front, Derby’s defence held firm against City’s threats for the majority of the second period.
However, City got their leveller in the 80th minute through Hendersson, after some neat play in the box fashioned a shooting chance for the defender who finished in a packed area.
Harry Hawkins nearly retook the lead for Derby minutes later as Moloney’s free-kick delivery found the midfielder's head and directed the ball towards the City goalkeeper, but a good save denied him.
The visitors’ second half turnaround was completed in the 86th minute as Warhurst ran in behind the Derby backline and directed the ball into the net, as it ricocheted off Max Bardell.
Derby entered the final knockings of the match with a man advantage over the visitors after left-back Lakyle Samuel was sent off in the 89th minute.
However, it came too late for Derby with two free-kick opportunities being warded off by City’s defenders. A late penalty appeal was also waived away as Bardell believed he had been fouled, but the referee disagreed and City’s defence continued to remain strong until the final whistle.
The Teams
Derby County Under-21s: Thompson (GK), Perry, Radcliffe, Robinson, Gill, Turley (Bardell 65), Hawkins, Stepien-Iwumene, Wheeldon (Allen 71), Moloney (90+2), Ilesanmi.
Unused Substitutes: Shattell (GK), Cox.
Manchester City Under-21s: Brits (GK), Wright, Simpson-Pusey, Hendersson, Samuel (Sent off 90), Alfa-Ruprecht (Naylor 46), Gray, Oboavwoduo, O’Reilly, Heskey (Warhurst 67), Lawrence (Okeke 75).
Unused Substitute: Wint (GK).
Post-Match Reaction
After the match under-21 Lead Coach Jake Buxton admitted his side must work on how they conceded against City, but should come away from the defeat proud to have competed and have shown the foundations that they can build on going forward into the rest of the season.
He said: “I think we competed well against Manchester City and that was shown as we got ahead. We got the lead through a great set play goal, a good delivery from Riley Moloney and good first contact from Ben Radcliffe and Manni was there in between the sticks to get his second goal of the season. The second came from us being aggressive on the press and it was a great team goal.
“We were obviously disappointed to concede the goal just before half time through a penalty and also their second and third were both preventable and that’s something we will have to address. But overall we competed well and we should be proud of our players, and as a club, that we can stand toe to toe with the elite teams in this division.”
