3/1 To Win
Derby County Under-21s were held to a stalemate against Southampton in their final Premier League 2 fixture of the 2024/25 season at the Proctor Cars Stadium on Friday night.
Chances were few and far between in the contest in Matlock, with the shared point leaving Derby 21st in the league after 20 games this season, with five wins and four draws to their name.
The campaign started under the tutelage of Lead Coach Jake Buxton, but after the former Rams centre-back was called up to John Eustace’s first team staff, Keith Briggs took charge of the side for the rest of the 2024/25 season, including against the Saints.
Striker Conor Washington started at the top of the pitch for Derby, and he was pivotal in a good team move early on, which nearly saw the Rams in front.
The centre forward laid the ball off for Owen Eames to strike viciously from the edge of the penalty area, but his effort flashed just wide of the goal.
Washington was central to things again as Jaydan Davidson threaded a neat through ball to see the Northern Irish international with a shot at goal, but the angle tightened and he struck the side netting.
Derby goalkeeper Harley Price was called into action for the first time in the second half as Southampton right-back Derek Abu tried from distance. It looked dangerous but Price stretched to make the save.
Price was active again as the Saints upped the pressure late on as he saved a powerful header in the box from substitute striker Brandon Charles.
A surge forward saw Derby come near as Demiane Agustien and Cruz Allen combined to pull the Saints’ defence apart, but Agustien’s resulting shot from the edge of the box went over the crossbar.
The Rams looked certain to have scored when Agustien drilled a rocketed low effort towards the bottom corner of the goal in the final knockings, but again the attack ended with the ball fizzing agonisingly wide – it was the best chance to break a deadlock that remained until the final whistle.
The Under-21s have just one scheduled game to play this season, with their Central League fixture against Notts County on Tuesday 15th April (1pm kick-off).
Team News
Derby County Under-21s: Price (GK), Turley (Agustien 46), Moloney, D Robinson (C), Canoville, Osayande, Allen, Hawkins, Washington (Oguntolu 46), Eames, Davidson (Gill 46).
Substitutes Not Used: Shattell (GK), Tola.
