Newcastle Town
Derby County Under-21s signed off for 2025 with a 1-1 draw at Stoke City in the Premier League Cup on Sunday.
The Rams were on the verge of picking up all three points in Group B of the competition thanks to striker Justin Oguntolu’s second half goal at Newcastle Town’s Lyme Valley Stadium, but Ruben Curley’s goal deep into added time earned the Potters a share of the spoils.
The Under-21s went into the meeting with Stoke off the back of a 3-2 loss at Bristol City in the same competition on Tuesday but with qualification to the knockout stages in their hands.
The two sides played out a 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture back in November, while Derby’s other results in Group B included an 8-2 home win over Bristol City and a 2-1 defeat at Sheffield United to leave them on four points from their opening four matches in the competition.
Goalkeeper Jack Thompson, defender Freddie Turley and winger Cameron Wilson, alongside first-team defender Curtis Nelson, were the four changes from the loss at Bristol City five days ago with Sam Kane, Luca Crolla, Billy Gough and Charlie Smith the players coming out of the starting line-up.
The opening 45 minutes proved to be a stalemate with very little to report in terms of chances, with midfielder Owen Eames coming closest by forcing True Grant in the home goal into a save at his near post late in the half to deny him a second goal in as many matches for the Under-21s.
Derby took the lead with 69 minutes on the clock through Oguntolu’s second goal in a week as he tapped home from close range following an initial Grant save, taking his total to six for the season at Under-21 level.
Just when it looked like the Rams had seen off the home side’s pressure, Curley scored direct from a free-kick in injury time to deny Danny Maye’s side all three points.
Derby County Under-21s: Thompson (GK), Turley, T Gill (Gough 46), Nelson (K Gordon 46), Osayande (C), Tola, Richards (Davidson 46), Allen, Oguntolu, Eames (Smith 65), Wilson.
Substitutes Not Used: Kane (GK).
"Considering the conditions, the team performed well today," Senior Professional Development Coach Danny Maye said after the game.
"It was a very difficult pitch to pass the ball, but we adapted well. We had good movement behind and read second balls well.
"After half time, I thought our performance went up another level and we deserved the lead.
"We then looked like we could comfortably see out the game. We managed it well and slowed it down when we needed to. Only a free-kick of the highest quality prevented that in the 97th minute."
The Under-21s will start 2026 in Premier League Cup action when they host Sheffield United at Alfreton Town’s Impact Arena on Tuesday 6th January (7pm kick-off) in their final Group B fixture, knowing that a win will see them reach the knockout stages.
