Ten-man Derby County Under-21s were beaten 3-2 at West Ham United in Premier League 2 on Friday evening.
Junior Robinson put the hosts ahead early on before striker Lennon Wheeldon hit back to equalise for Jake Buxton’s side.
Goals from Kamarai Swyer and Sean Moore swung the match in the Irons’ favour following Darren Robinson’s dismissal for two yellow cards, with Niall McAndrew's stoppage time goal proving to be a mere consolation for the Rams.
West Ham started strongly, and Robinson put them ahead inside seven minutes with a drilled effort low into the back of Jack Thompson’s net.
Derby were level after 14 minutes when Wheeldon headed home at the far post from Tony Weston’s cross.
Following Robinson’s dismissal for two bookable offences either side of half-time for Derby, Swyer put West Ham back in front just after the hour with a thumping finish from around 12 yards out.
A powerful strike from Moore further strengthened the Hammers’ grip on the game before substitute McAndrew pulled a goal back in the final minute of stoppage time for the Rams with an excellent finish, after a neat one-two with Wheeldon, although it was a strike which was unable to help them avoid defeat.
There were still positives to take out of the game for Derby, notably seeing Ben Radcliffe get match minutes under his belt in a competitive environment for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury towards the end of 2023.
Next up for the Under-21s is a trip to Leeds United on Monday 15th April (1pm kick-off) for their penultimate Premier League 2 outing of the season.
Derby County Under-21s: Thompson (GK), Osayande, Gill, D Robinson (C), Radcliffe (Perry 67), Cox, Nto (McAndrew 74), Stepien-Iwumene (Allen 74), Wheeldon, Weston, Moloney (Hawkins 63).
Substitutes Not Used: Price (GK).
