EDS fall to defeat against Derby

Manchester City’s Elite Development Squad were beaten 4-2 by Derby County in an action-packed Premier League 2 encounter.

Dajaune Brown broke the deadlock first for the hosts, but City responded well, with Justin Oboavwoduo drawing us level only five minutes later, before Brown restored the home side’s lead before the break.

Emilio Lawrence levelled affairs early in the second half but Derby went ahead for the third time in the match, when Jayden Davidson finished well.

The young Rams extended their lead late on to all but secure the win, with Tony Weston getting the goal.

WHAT HAPPENED

Brian Barry-Murphy’s side came into the game in search of a win after only taking one point from the last two matches.

They travelled to face a Derby County side who had only picked up one point in Premier League 2 this season and it was the home side that started the faster.

It was a disappointing start for City’s Under-21s when Dajaune Brown put the young Rams ahead after an assist from Daniel Brown inside the first 15 minutes.

However, we responded five minutes later, when Justin Oboavwoduo equalised to draw us back on to level terms.

Barry-Murphy’s side then had to deal with another setback just before half time.

Brown, who was causing our defence all sorts of problems, managed to restore Derby’s lead, after being played through by Alex Gibson-Hammond.

After the break, the team stepped up the intensity, and quickly drew level once more.

Emilio Lawrence stepped up and fired in our second goal after being set up by half-time substitute, Michael Okeke.

However, all of our hard work was undone for a third time, when the home side retook the lead again through Jayden Davidson.

And as we were pushing for to square the game again in the latter stages, Derby hit us on the counter-attack, and struck for a fourth time as Tony Weston tucked away a neat finish.

HOW WE LINED UP

Brian Barry-Murphy selected True Grant to start between the sticks, and he was protected by a back four of Lakyle Samuel, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, Max Alleyne and Tom Galvez.

Jacob Wright sat in front of the defence, with Emilio Lawrence, Kane Taylor and Josh Adam pushing further forward in a midfield diamond.

Justin Oboavwoduo and Micah Hamilton started together, forming our attacking partnership.

Derby County U21

XI | Thompson, Moore, Jeffcott, Robinson, Bartley, Cox, Gibson-Hammond (60’ Richards), Hawkins, Brown, Fapetu (69’ Weston), Moloney (60’ Davidson) (90’ Lindsay)

SUBS | Ridd

Manchester City EDS

XI | Grant, Samuel, Simpson-Pusey, Alleyne, Galvez (56’ Susoho), Wright (56’ Henderson-Hall), Oboavwoduo, Hamilton (C), Adam, Taylor (46’ Okeke), Lawrence (83’ Dickson)

SUBS | Murray-Jones