Derby County Under-21s secured their third Premier League 2 home win on the spin with a 1-0 over Manchester City at the Proctor Cars Stadium on Good Friday.
First Team players Sondre Langås and Max Johnston started for Danny Maye’s side in Matlock, gaining crucial match minutes as they both return from long-term injury, with the former playing 30 minutes and the latter coming off at the break.
The visitors had the lion’s share of opportunities in the first period, with Mahamadou Sangaré going near in the 11th and 13th minutes as he twice fired wayward.
Defender Kei Robinson came nearest for Derby towards the end of the first period as he aimed wide with an effort from the edge of the box following a corner.
Justin Oguntolu bagged the vital goal to take three points on home turf with a 58th-minute penalty that he tucked into the bottom left corner.
Deep in added time, goalkeeper Jack Thompson made excellent interventions to keep Derby’s lead, with saves from Christian McFarlane, Brooklyn Nfonkeu and Femi Fapetu as the game went into six minutes beyond regulation time.
Team
Derby County Under-21s: J Thompson (GK), Johnston (Perry 46), K Robinson, Banks (C), Offor, Langås (Osong 31), Mintus, K Gill (Green 46), Oguntolu, Richards, Wähling (Hodges 46).
Unused Substitutes: O'Neill (GK).
Post-Match Thoughts
“It was a different type of challenge tonight, and the lads rose to it," Senior Professional Development Coach Danny Maye said after the contest.
“We didn’t have long periods with the ball, but we still carried a threat on the counter. I thought we could have looked after the ball better on regains instead of countering too early.
“That being said, the defending and goalkeeping were outstanding. Everyone played their part and prevented a good team from creating too much until the last five minutes. The boys really looked together tonight and did what they needed to do to get the win across the line.”