U18 striker Joe Hardy scored the first goal of the match at Pride Park before Isaac Buckley-Ricketts hit a hat-trick and Brahim Diaz rounded off the scoring in the 5-1 victory.
Young winger Luke Bolton was the other member of Davies’ attack for the Premier League Cup tie and Davies was delighted with the impact all three made on the match.
He said: “All of the front three were very good tonight. We had pace on both wings and that was something that really hurt them.
“Joe Hardy came in to the team, took his goal well and will get a step up in his confidence from that.
“Isaac has been injured and it took a while to get him back but it was great to see him play an important role tonight.
“We’ve spoken in recent weeks about how we have maybe wasted too many chances but we were much more clinical tonight.
“That demonstrates the conveyor belt of talent at the football club. They all have their own qualities and we’re prepared to keep pushing them in the right way but they’re always working for the good of the team.”
Despite the fact City were 5-0 up with over half an hour remaining, Davies demanded professionalism from his side throughout the evening at Pride Park.
“It was important to keep working right to the final minute because that’s their role and that’s how they keep developing,” said Davies.
“It was also important to be respectful to the end because every team has their good and bad days and it’s important that when you’re having a good day to always keep doing the right thing.”
City’s next Premier League 2 match is against Manchester United at Leigh Sports Village on the 9 January. Visit the ticket office for information on how you can support our future.
