Derby County's B Team kicked off their 2025/26 Central League season with a 2-1 loss at Oxford United Under-21s on Tuesday afternoon.

Keith Briggs' side lined up with first-teamers Ben Osborn, Dajaune Brown, Rhian Brewster and Bobby Clark - who all got significant minutes as they build match sharpness in the early stages of the new season.

Oxford gained a two-goal advantage in the first half, with Leo Snowden netting twice for the hosts.

The Rams pushed back in the second half, despite having defender Keilen Robinson sent off late in the first half for two bookings, and substitute Jerome Richards netted his second goal of the season so far for the Academy, having scored for the Under-21s earlier in the week.

The 50th-minute goal followed Derby’s quick start at the start of the second period, but they were held at bay for the rest of the contest, with the O’s taking all three Central League points.

Next up for the B Team is a Central League Cup tie at home to Chesterfield on Thursday 4th September (1pm kick-off).

Team News

Derby County B: Price (GK), Turley (Canoville), Stokes, Osborn, Osayande, K Robinson, Wheeldon, Hawkins (C), Brown (Oguntolu), Brewster (Richards), Clark (Perry).

Substitutes Not Used: Dzialuk (GK).