Fri 01 Aug - Posted in Breaking News
Time to read: 3mins
A Derby County XI played out a well-contested friendly which ended in a 1-0 defeat at National League side Forest Green Rovers on Friday night.
The Derby side were overseen by Assistant Head Coach Matt Gardiner, First Team Coach Keith Downing, Senior Transition Coach Jake Buxton and B-Team Lead Coach Keith Briggs, with Head Coach John Eustace also in attendance and watching on from the stands.
This was similarly the case in a recent behind-closed-doors friendly against another National League side in Scunthorpe United at Moor Farm Training Centre, which ended in a 0-0 draw.
The Derby side included recent recruit David Ozoh, who played 60 minutes at the New Lawn three days after re-signing for the Rams on loan from Crystal Palace.
He played alongside Ben Osborn in midfield, with Andi Weimann, Joe Ward and goalkeeper Josh Vickers the other senior players featuring in Gloucestershire getting match minutes.
Former Derby captain Robbie Savage was on the touchline at the New Lawn, having taken charge of the Rams’ National League opponents as Manager in July.
Forest Green winger Tom Knowles scored the only goal of the contest in the 71st minute in a tightly fought pre-season run-out.
Derby had possession for the majority of the opening exchanges but couldn't fashion a chance.
The hosts looked to be in with the first opportunity when former Derby winger Kyle McAllister was played over the top and in behind the defence, but a slip and pressure from Rams defender Keilen Robinson denied the attacker.
Ward went close for the Rams when he struck a curling free-kick that just evaded the frame of the goal from distance in the 25th minute.
The match was a close-run affair in the first 45 minutes, with opportunities fleeting for either side as the half ended goalless.
A quadruple change for Derby at the break saw Adisa Osayande, Harry Hawkins, Lennon Wheeldon and Niall McAndrew replacing Rio Canoville, Osborn, Ward, and Weimann.
Freddie Turley fired wide in the 52nd minute when he emerged to meet substitute McAndrew’s cross at the far post, but the right-back couldn’t direct the ball on target.
Ozoh came off after the hour mark with Marsel Tola replacing him after getting a good chunk of minutes in his legs for the first time since returning to the club on Tuesday.
Knowles bundled the ball over the line in the 71st minute to put the home side in front. Chris Doidge's effort was parried as far as Knowles by Vickers and Knowles bundled home from close range.
The Forest Green winger came near again as he struck the post from close to the halfway line moments after his goal with Vickers left stranded.
Youngster Wheeldon looked to be in behind twice near the conclusion of the game as Derby chased a leveller, but the National League side’s defence held firm to take the win.
Derby County XI: Vickers (GK), Turley (Banks 74), Canoville (Osayande 46), Osborn (Hawkins 46), Weimann (Wheeldon 46), Ozoh (Tola 61), K. Robinson, Pieters, Ward (McAndrew 46), Oguntolu, Ebuka Agbawodikeizu.
Unused Substitutes: Evans (GK), Price (GK), Green.
