Sat 23 Aug - Posted in Breaking News
Time to read: 2mins
Derby County’s Under-21s tasted defeat in Premier League 2 with a 3-0 reverse against Birmingham City at Moor Farm Training Ground on Saturday.
Danny Maye’s side went down 4-3 at Ipswich Town in their opening match of the 2025/26 season and were unable to register their first points of the campaign in their first home fixture.
Briar Bateman put Birmingham in front on the half hour mark with a powerful strike from just inside the box which flew past Harley Price in the Derby goal.
Trae Briscoe, who had entered the field as a first half substitute, netted from close range for the visitors shortly before half-time to double their advantage.
Birmingham’s third goal came early in the second period courtesy of an own goal by Rams defender Asisa Osayande.
The Rams pushed for a way back into the contest but Birmingham kept them at arm’s length to claim the three points.
Derby County Under-21s: Price (GK), I Gordon, Hawkins (Turley 46), Osayande, Banks, Canoville, Wheeldon (Green 68), Wähling, Oguntolu, Eames, Richards (Wilson 61).
Substitutes Not Used: O’Neill (GK).
"It was a disappointing performance for the team," Senior Professional Development Phase Coach Danny Maye said after the game
"In the first half, we didn’t look anything like ourselves. We lost our duels, our distances were too big with and without the ball, and we allowed them to gain too much control. Most of the first half was played in our half.
"The second half saw an improvement, and we played with more urgency and carried more threat in the top line. Their goal was a poor one to give away, and it killed the game for us. We created more chances but weren’t clinical enough. There was no lack of effort from the players, but it was a disappointing game that we will have to take the chance to learn from."
Next up for the Under-21s is another home fixture in Premier League 2
against Leicester City at Matlock Town’s Proctor Cars Stadium on Friday
29th August (7pm kick-off).
