Rams make it six wins from eight in the U21 PDL 2 North against Wigan Athletic.

Rams make it six wins from eight in the U21 PDL 2 North against Wigan Athletic.

Derby County’s Under 21s collected their sixth win from eight games this season with a 4-2 victory over Wigan Athletic at Moor Farm on Monday afternoon.

Midfielder Ben Davies was at the double against the Latics, while Kieron Freeman and Mark O’Brien were also on target in a six-goal thriller, as Derby stretched their unbeaten start to the season to eight matches.

The Rams named a strong side in the U21 PDL 2 North clash with Jeff Hendrick, Mark O’Brien and Nathan Tyson all featuring, less than 48 hours after appearing for the first-team at Peterborough United on Saturday.

Also in the side was midfielder Conor Sellars, the son of former Blackburn and Newcastle midfielder Scott Sellars, after recently leaving Portuguese club Clube Futebol de Fão.

The visitors started on top and hit the crossbar inside the opening five minutes through Ryan Watson, but Derby responded by breaking the deadlock after 11 minutes when Ben Davies fired a free-kick into the top corner from 25 yards.

Davies, Tyson and Sellars - who hit the bar - all went close to doubling Derby’s advantage before Freeman showed neat movement inside the box to slot home just before the half hour mark.

Within 22 seconds of the second half Davies made it 3-0 to Derby, only for Wigan to immediately pull a goal back through Callum Morris from close range after a free-kick wasn’t cleared sufficiently.

Centre-back O’Brien quickly restored Derby’s three-goal lead by making it 4-1 by powerfully heading home a Davies corner on 59 minutes, but again Wigan responded as Adam Buxton’s deflected free-kick found the back of the net.

Tyson and Davies both drew saves from visiting goalkeeper Calvin Hare late on, but in the end four goals was more than enough for Derby.

Derby County U21: Deeney, Naylor, Hoganson, Sellars (Dales 54), Gjokaj, O’Brien (Wixted 74), Freeman, Hendrick (Adams 54), Tyson, Bennett, Davies.

Subs Not Used: Morch, Lelan.

The Under 21s are back in action at Moor Farm again in the U21 PDL 2 North on Wednesday 7th November 2012 against Leeds United, kick-off 1pm.