3/1 To Win
Derby County Under-21s claimed a comfortable 3-1 win over Stoke City in the Central League at Moor Farm Training Centre on Tuesday afternoon.
Cruz Allen netted to open the Rams’ account in a strong display on home turf. Justin Oguntolu and Owen Eames added to Derby’s tally and cemented the win in the second half, despite a late consolation goal for the visitors, as Keith Briggs’ Under-21s side secured their sixth win in eight matches in the Central League.
Eames came close and forced Stoke’s trialist goalkeeper to make an early stop after the Derby midfielder’s low free-kick from 20 yards was parried away from danger.
Evans made a save down the other end of the pitch moments later as Will Smith had the visitors’ first attempt from the edge of the penalty box.
A dangerous cross from Allen almost saw striker Oguntolu in with a chance for the Rams, but his outstretched leg couldn’t meet the ball from close range in the 17th minute.
Stoke striker Chinonso Chibueze saw a chance smothered by Evans in the 28th minute. A quick turnaround in possession saw the ball squared to him inside the penalty area, but he couldn’t connect strongly enough to trouble the goalkeeper.
Harry Hawkins blazed the ball just wide of the mark in the 32nd minute when the ball dropped to him after a clearance from a corner.
Allen struck from close range in the 41st minute to open the scoring. He shot diagonally across the goal after good work on the left flank from Oguntolu found the attacking midfielder in space to finish inside the penalty box, and he tucked the ball away despite being off balance.
Oguntolu doubled Derby’s advantage when he smashed home from close range to meet a follow-up after the goalkeeper was forced to parry a shot into the striker’s path in the 55th minute.
Pressing initiative from Eames won possession back in the 62nd minute, and he laid the ball off for Allen, whose left-footed effort from the edge of the box curled just beyond the far post.
Eames made it three in the 69th minute after a long ball found Freddie Turley and unlocked the Stoke defence. The Rams’ wing-back had time and space to find Eames, who slotted the ball underneath the Potters’ goalkeeper.
Stoke came near as Lewis Bailey hit the side netting from a tight angle in the 79th minute.
Josh Maskall pulled one back for the visitors in the 82nd minute, after he capitalised on a defensive error to tap in as goalkeeper Evans lost his footing.
Eames lashed towards goal in added time but was equalled by the goalkeeper who kept the scoreline at 3-1.
Team News
Derby County Under-21s: Evans (GK) (C), Turley, Moloney, Hawkins (Tola 75), K Robinson, Rooney (Canoville 60), Allen, D Robinson, Oguntolu (Washington 60), Eames, Agustien (Davidson 60).
Substitutes Not Used: Price (GK).
