Derby County Under-21s fell to a 3-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in Premier League 2 on Friday night.
Both teams netted within six minutes at Grange Park, as the Rams’ trialist made it 1-1 when he converted from close range to respond to Reiss Elliot-Parris’ goal from the visitors’ first attack.
Tyrese Hall regained Spurs’ advantage in the 27th minute after a spell of pressure in front of goal, and Ellis Lehane solidified their position at the start of the second half, making it 3-1.
Key Moments
Tottenham notched in front in the first 90 seconds, as Reiss Elliot-Parris’ low shot from the edge of the penalty area snuck into the bottom right corner.
Derby restored parity just four minutes later when a neat passing move between Cameron Wilson and Charlie Smith saw the midfielder able to thread the ball into the box and into the feet of the trialist, who found the back of the net.
Spurs held possession following the second goal, and a flurry of chances resulted in them re-taking the lead after a goal-mouth scramble in the 27th minute. Hall blasted the ball straight into the middle of the net.
Derby Goalkeeper Alfie Halliwell made a reaction stop to deny Tottenham a quick third goal when Callum Olusesi fired goalwards at the near post in the 31st minute.
Frankie Jones thought he had won a penalty when his darting run into the box was ended by a foul in the 40th minute, but a free-kick was given on the
Charlie Smith’s set-piece attempt at goal hit the crossbar before Dantel Hodges’ left-footed attempt on the edge of the area forced a diving stop from goalkeeper Samual Archer.
The Rams came close to equalising in the final act of the first period when a searching cross from deep by Smith found Wilson at the back stick, but the goalkeeper closed down the shot to block it wide.
Spurs extended their lead in the 47th minute as Lehane’s deflected effort thwarted the goalkeeper.
Derby had the ball in the back of the net five minutes into the second period but saw the offside flag keep the score at 3-1. Hodges met Wilson’s ball around the back of Spurs’ defence and put the ball into the back of the net.
A high press nearly paid off in the 89th minute when Wilson looked to steal in on the goalkeeper, but the visitors cleared their lines.
Two chances in quick succession followed as Derby kept pushing for a goal in the closing stages: Raymond Offor’s header from a corner was blocked on the goal line, and Niall McAndrew’s strike on the follow-up went over the bar.
Team
Derby County Under-21s: Halliwell (GK), T Gill (I Gordon 59), Robinson, Canoville, Offor (C), Tola, Smith, Hodges (McAndrew 59), Trialist (Green 59), Wilson, Jones (Osong 59).
Unused Substitutes: Kane (GK), Osayande, Wren.
Next Fixture
The Rams’ Under-21s play their first Central League Cup fixture of the season when they line up against Salford City on Tuesday 15th September (1pm kick-off).
The next match in Long Eaton is set for Friday 27th November, when Wycombe Wanderers are the opponents in Premier League Cup competition (7pm kick-off).