Derby County Under-21s shared the points after a spirited fightback saw the Young Rams draw 4-4 with Fulham Under-21s in Premier League 2 at Motspur Park on Friday evening.
Fulham raced into an early lead, scoring three times inside the opening 10 minutes through Tom Olyott and a brace from Seth Ridgeon.
Cameron Wilson pulled one back for Derby in the 32nd minute, but Jayden Quashie restored the hosts’ three-goal lead before half-time.
Danny Maye’s Young Rams fought back in the second half to get three goals, via Johnson Osong, Lennon Wheeldon and Jamie Wähling - with a penalty deep into stoppage time - to secure a Premier League 2 point on the road.
Key Moments
Fulham took the lead after just four minutes when Olyott converted with a left-footed strike from the edge of the penalty area, before Seth Ridgeon doubled the advantage two minutes later.
Ridgeon struck again as he arrowed a low ball in from the edge of the box in the tenth minute to make it 3-0 to the hosts.
Derby pulled a goal back shortly after the half-hour mark when Cameron Wilson found the net on the break after Cruz Allen squared the ball to him at the far post, and he slotted home calmly to give the Rams a lifeline.
But Fulham restored their three-goal cushion before the break, through Quashie after an error at the back, to lead 4-1 at half-time.
The Rams began the second half brightly and reduced the deficit in the 55th minute when Osong took the ball down and controlled it well to make a shooting chance inside the penalty area, and he finished firmly into the bottom left corner.
Wheeldon made it 4-3 with ten minutes remaining when he pounced on the goalkeeper’s save after Justin Oguntolu’s shot was sent in the direction of the striker. He fired home to set up a tense finish.
Deep into stoppage time, Derby were awarded a penalty, and Wähling kept his composure from the spot to complete the comeback and secure a share of the points.
Team News
Derby County Under-21s: Kane (GK), Turley, Gough (Hawkins 65), Tola (Wähling 65), Canoville, Osayande, Wilson, Allen, Oguntolu, Eames, Osong (Wheeldon 65).
Unused Substitutes: Dzialuk (GK), Smith.
Post-Match Reaction
“It was a good performance tonight despite the poor start,” Senior Professional Development Coach Danny Maye said after the game. “That being said, the character we showed to get back in the game was excellent.
“We looked nervous building from the back in the first 15 mins. All their goals came from our errors. At times, we just needed to play a couple behind and give ourselves some breathing space.
“Once we settled, we looked more in control without carrying enough of a threat. Then in the second half, we were excellent and took charge of the game. Most of the second half was played in their half.
“We pressed well at the right times and didn’t give them much time to build momentum. We created a lot of chances and carried more of a threat in the box. The tighter distances also allowed us to counter-press and keep the pressure on. The rest defence was much better, and we killed their transition a little, too.
It was a pleasing comeback tonight, and the boys should be proud.”
Next Fixture
Derby County Under-21s return to Premier League 2 action in Matlock next week when they face Norwich City at the Proctor Cars Stadium on Friday 31st October (7pm kick-off).
Click here for tickets via the Matlock Town website.
Images: Fulham FC