AMEX Elite Football Performance Centre
Derby County Under-21s came up short in a 3-1 reverse at Brighton & Hove Albion in Premier League 2 on Friday night.
Lennon Wheeldon gave Derby the lead after a fast start at the AMEX Elite Football Performance Centre on the South Coast. The Rams contained the hosts for long spells of the first half with intense pressing, but Harry Mills' strike in the 30th minute levelled the match.
Brighton came out strong in the second half, and Joe Belmont’s 67th-minute header gave them the advantage for the first time in the contest and substitute Joshua Robertson cemented the result with a goal in the 86th minute.
The result leaves Derby’s Under-21s side still searching for their first Premier League 2 win of the 2025/26 campaign after four games played.
Derby looked dangerous on the counter-attack in the eighth minute when winger Cameron Wilson looked to run clear and squared the ball to attacking midfielder Cruz Allen, but a good recovery from the Brighton defence saw the Seagulls clear the danger.
Derby took the lead when striker Wheeldon finished off the scraps from a corner kick as he latched onto Adisa Osayande’s header and poked home at the near post after Allen’s set-piece delivery.
A high press from the the Rams looked to frustrate the hosts, who struggled to create chances with their possession in the opening stages of the first half.
This continued as Brighton’s first real chance in the opening stages came after 20 minutes when Harry Howell tried a left-footed shot from distance that fizzed just wide.
Shane Kojo Nti had a similar chance five minutes later after Derby had once more contained the hosts' efforts to attack. This time, however, the Rams’ trialist goalkeeper was easily able to gather the effort from the left flank.
The Seagulls did find an equaliser in the 30th minute, though, as a well-worked move saw Nti’s backheel play left back Mills into space to convert low and beyond the Derby goalkeeper.
Danny Maye’s side looked for a swift response as attacker Niall McAndrew threaded a ball through to fellow forward Justin Oguntolu, who saw his effort steered wide for a corner.
Wilson looked to be unleashed into the penalty area as he charged with the ball in the 43rd minute, but a well-timed sliding challenge from Seagulls defender Freddie Simmonds denied him a chance at goal.
The first effort of the second period came from Derby as Allen won a free-kick on the edge of the box that Jamie Wähling fired just over the crossbar.
Jack Perry did well down the right flank and the Rams’ wing-back got the better of his defender as he was played in over the top on multiple occasions early into the second 45 minutes.
Brighton took the lead for the first time on the night in the 67th minute when Nti’s pinpoint cross from deep was met firmly by Belmont at the back post to head in.
Albion looked to be in behind in the 73rd minute when Tyler Silbsy looked in position to square the ball to Belmont, who was lurking at the back post, but excellent defending from Rio Canoville to pick the pocket of the attacker and clear the danger.
An extended attack from Derby in the 77th minute looked fruitful as a team moved ended with McAndrew threading the ball to Allen, but the midfielder fired wide of the mark.
Robertson netted the home side's third goal of the evening to seal the three points, with a tidy give-and-go ending with a composed finish in the 87th minute.
Next up for the Under-21s is a home fixture against Arsenal Under-21s at Matlock Town's Proctor Cars Stadium on Friday 26th September (7pm kick-off).
Derby County Under-21s: Trialist (GK), Perry (Banks 71), Turley, Wähling, Canoville, Osayande (C), Wilson (Osong 58), Allen, Oguntolu, Wheeldon, McAndrew (Richards 79).
Unused Substitutes: Dzialuk (GK), Tola.
“It’s disappointing to lose tonight’s game,” Senior Professional Development Coach Danny Maye said after the game.
“But it was through no lack of effort. In the first half, we scored early, but then too many players panicked on the ball.
“This led to us having to defend for large periods of the first half. We did this well and had some moments when we jumped out to press. We just weren’t clinical enough tonight when in good positions.
“The second half was much better; we looked more relaxed with the ball and started to get more control. Our press was good, and we ended up in some excellent positions. Unfortunately, we just didn’t carry enough of a threat tonight.
“In two moments, we switched off briefly and got hurt with their moments of quality. The players can be pleased with their efforts, but we need to stay focused all game defensively, and we must start being braver with the ball and making better decisions in the final third.”
