Two goals in each half saw Derby County’s Under 21s return to winning ways in style against Newcastle United.
Two goals in each half saw Derby County’s Under 21s return to winning ways in style against Newcastle United.
Kwame Thomas and Mason Bennett both scored in an 11 minute spell midway through the first half, before Shaquille McDonald and Ivan Calero added further goals in a convincing win at the Training Centre in partnership with the University of Derby.
Since defeating the Magpies earlier this month at St James’ Park, Lee Glover’s side had suffered back-to-back league defeats for the first time since August – at home to both Reading and Blackburn Rovers.
The results have proved to be damaging to their promotion credentials with only two games remaining, but after weathering out Newcastle’s early exuberance, the Rams began to take control.
In Newcastle’s period of holding the upper hand, Peter Beardsley’s side’s only notable chance came from Adam Armstrong, who cut inside from the right and forced Kelle Roos into a fine save with his fierce drive.
For Derby, Mason Bennett was looking particularly sharp and was causing the Newcastle backline problems with his power and pace.
Those very attributes led to Derby’s opener as he held off Adam Laidler, the Newcastle full back, before hitting a low centre that Thomas poked beyond Paul Woolston in the visitors’ goal.
Calero and the returning Farrend Rawson both passed up opportunities to double the lead, but Bennett made no mistake as he blasted in a loose ball from range into the far corner of the goal to cap off a fine individual half for the forward.
Callum Guy had the chance to add a third five minutes before the break but he curled his effort from the edge of the area straight into the arms of Woolston, before Oliver Kemen, at the other end, blazed over from the edge of the area from a simple corner routine.
Glover’s side maintained total control of the contest throughout the second half, but it was not until the fine 12 minutes of the game that they killed the contest off.
Shaquille McDonald was introduced off the bench shortly after the hour mark and the forward, who has recently been on loan at Sky Bet League 2 side Cheltenham Town, added a third within 15 minutes of his introduction.
Calero did the hard part as he picked the ball up off Max Lowe and scampered down the left and into the area. Showing great composure, he picked out the lurking McDonald whose stabbed effort was helped into the back of the net by Woolston.
The Rams were not done there either. Calero was intent on making sure his name was not missing from the score sheet and he duly obliged with five minutes remaining.
It was a move worthy of a goal as Calero, as he has done all season, picked the ball up, showed great feet and awareness to avoid an incoming challenge, before altering his body position to bend the ball into the far corner of Woolston’s goal.
It was a fine way for Derby for return to winning ways ahead of next week’s 2014-15 season finale away at West Bromwich Albion.
Derby County U21s: Roos (GK), Ssewankambo, Lowe, Hendrie, Lelan, Rawson (C) (Wassall, 79), Bennett (McDonald, 63), Guy, Thomas, Bunjaku (Vernam, 74), Calero
Substitutes not used: Etheridge, Koblenz
Newcastle United U21s: Woolston (GK), Sterry (Gillierd, 46), Laidler, Kemen, Newberry, Cameron, Ward (Longstaff, 82), Ferreyra (Heardman, 82), Armstrong, De Jong, Barlaser
Substitutes not used: Harker, Roberts
