Select Car Leasing Stadium
Derby County Under-21s fell to a 4-1 defeat against Reading in their final Premier League 2 game of the regular season on Monday night.
Luke Howard gave the hosts the lead after 22 minutes at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, as he met David Hicks’ cross to convert from close range.
Derby restored parity as Justin Oguntolu bagged his eighth Premier League 2 goal of the season with a left-footed strike following a corner.
Reading regained their advantage nine minutes into the second half as Sean Patton found the back of the net after a fast breakaway.
The Young Rams quest for an equaliser was dented as they were reduced in number in the 77th minute when Marley Mintus received a second yellow card and the Royals quickly took advantage netting a third goal three minutes later via Hicks.
Raymond Offor had a chance to reduce the deficit in the 85th minute when the centre-back saw his effort blocked in a packed penalty area.
The hosts then sealed their advantage in the final stages as Patton grabbed his second of the match in the 89th minute.
Despite losing out to the Royals, Danny Maye’s Young Rams side have secured their spot in the Premier League 2 Play-Offs, as a run of four wins and three draws from the last 10 league fixtures saw them climb to 24th in the division to take the last play-off spot.
Derby County Under-21: Thompson (GK), I Gordon (Perry 64), K Robinson (Corry 75), Banks (C), Offor, Wähling (Stokes 64), Richards, Smith, Oguntolu, Mintus, T Gill (Tola 64).
Substitutes: Dzialuk (GK).
“It was a great challenge tonight against an old and experienced Reading team,” Senior Professional Development Coach Danny Maye said after the contest.
“We started poorly and gave them too much respect. We gave the ball away far too easily on transition and deserved to go 1-0 down. We then had a good spell and pushed them back. We looked much better with the ball and played with bravery. We deserved the equaliser and went into half time confident.
“The second was too similar to the first half. A poor start, and it took us 10 minutes to get going. But unfortunately, errors and a sending off put the game too far out of our reach. The players will learn a lot from these games and will be pleased to make the play-offs.
“These knockout games give us a different learning experience and opportunity to win something.”
