3/1 To Win
Jason Shackell was on the scoresheet as Derby County's Under-23s returned to winning ways at Leigh Sports Village by defeating Manchester United 2-1.
In a game dominated largely by Derby, there were even more positives to take away from the match as Ikechi Anya featured for just over 80 minutes, whilst Shackell played the full 90 minutes.
From the starting whistle, both teams began on the front foot with the ball spending the majority of the first 10 minutes in both boxes.
Of the attacking pressure created by both sides, the hosts came closest to scoring when former Derby loanee James Wilson’s efforts was forced onto the far post by Josh Barnes.
The ball was at the other end ten minutes later after a superb run down the middle from Callum Guy allowed him two shots from outside the box - United, however, threw bodies on the line to soak up the Rams’ pressure.
Waves of Derby attacks then followed as Darren Wassall’s side began to dominate.
An individual run into the box from Luke Thomas drew a superb hand from Kieran O’Hara to prevent him from finding the net and finally Offrande Zanzala was closed down quickly after getting a shot away from six-yards out.
Somehow the hosts were managing to hang on.
After a large spell of dominance, Zach Dearnley had arguably the best opportunity of the half to break the deadlock, but his effort was blasted way over the bar.
Eager to show a response, the hosts started the second-half the better and during their early spell Darren Buffonge had the best opportunity after he saw his ambitious curled effort sent inches wide of the top-left corner.
Moments after that, and things had swung back the way of the Rams, as Zanzala saw a close-range effort miraculously pushed off the line courtesy of a superb reaction save from O’Hara.
Derby finally, and deservedly, broke the deadlock on 56 minutes courtesy of an instinctive flick over the ‘keeper from Jason Shackell, who turned in Guy’s corner.
Unfortunately for the Rams, it was a lead that lasted less than two minutes after a break down the left and a cut back into the box ended in Buffonge blasting the ball into the top corner to level things up.
After suffering a quick sucker-punch, the Rams recovered quickly and on 71 minutes they were back in front after Zanzala benefitted from a superb cross into the box, heading the ball into the ground and into the back of the net.
Falling behind once again, United piled on the pressure, but Derby’s defence refused to be beaten and, in the end, Wassall’s side grew back into the fixture and could have added more to their tally.
Manchester United U23s: O’Hara, Riley, Mitchell, Warren, Olosunde (Kenyon,45), Whelan (Boonen, 80), Dearnley (Bohui, 64), Hamilton, McIntosh-Buffonge, Kehinde
Substitutes not used: Richardson, Sang
Derby County U23s: Barnes, Stabana, Macdonald, Bird, Wassall, Shackell, Thomas, Guy (Bateman, 68), Zanzala, Babos, Anya (Walker, 80)
Substitutes not used: Ravas, Cover, Karic
Major Moment…
A lot has been said in recent weeks about the need for Derby’s Under-23s to start taking their chances.
It looked like it was going to be ‘one of those nights’ as the Rams spurned a number of openings in the first half.
But Zanzala’s winner was a precious moment and was just reward for the hard work and endeavour that was shown over the course of an important night for the side.
Who Impressed…
Effort was present across the team but above all the rest were three players that stood out.
Defensively, Derby looked sound throughout the fixture and Jason Shackell played a huge part in this by using his wealth of experience to organise the side at the back.
Leading the forward line down the right wing, Luke Thomas, once again, looked very threatening and had a number of chances to get on the scoresheet.
The one player in particular, though, who stood out for his commitment, determination and visionary passing was Callum Guy.
Since his long-term injury last season, with each match he has been involved in, his influence has grown significantly and this evening Guy looked both comfortable and assured in running the midfield.
What’s Next…
A trip away to Birmingham City is what’s next up for Darren Wassall’s Rams, as they prepare for their first group-stage fixture of the Premier League.
In terms of their league schedule, the Rams will have to wait until their next taste of Premier League 2 Division 1 action when the Rams take on Liverpool at St George’s Park.
