Derby County U21 2-3 Bournemouth U21 (Premier League Cup Group Stages)
A game which has snuck into my diary this weekend is a youth team match between Derby County and AFC Bournemouth.
Usually playing at the Moor Farm Training Complex, Derby's under 21's have switched the tie to the home of Alfreton Town, expecting a few locals for this one, it's the first match of the Premier League Cup, an old-skool (see 1992-2024 style) Champions League format of group stages and knockout football to determine the eventual winners, in its eleventh year now, last seasons champs Brentford are also in this group with Chelsea, so not an easy quest for either of these sides if they are to progress.
No pre-match gossip other than annoying the wife for a second week in heading off for Friday night football, she's already taken the dog out as I'm in the car, up the M1 for a short 45 minute journey to Alfreton, rocking up on North Street where I park opposite the ground at 6pm, sun is out but fall is here, it's chilly so I'm well wrapped up expecting the cold snap at dusk.
The Venue
Tucked away in a housing estate it's a quaint little old ground is the Impact Arena, the away team coach dwarfs the venue behind, a car park for around fifteen cars outside the social club has a price of £4... Price of a ticket tonight is only £5.
I'm queuing up outside the turnstile as some of the players' families ask if they're on the guest list, the dad of Cruz Allen is chatting about his dental issues, one parent can't be bothered with the queue as they end up going through another turnstile and just paying the entrance fee in cash.
Inside the ground the players are out on the pitch warming up, fans crammed into the near corner where there's a tea bar and club shop, pin badges being sold on a wooden table, I'm walking around the back of the goal, an open ended seated area, towards a covered seated stand on half way, it's an ok view with a back row about four high, behind a post in front which obscures the centre of the pitch, you can see the huge slope of the surface down towards me, other than that it's in good nick, plenty of green grass left on top.
The Game
I know little about either team so my research is done through a quick web scour during the warm ups, by the time the players come out for kick off I'm more familiar with the faces on show, but that only means I'm already predicting the stars ahead of the match, Derby's left winger is huge, a real power house on the eye is Corey Blackett-Taylor who has lots of first team experience, I'm already excited to see how he stands out against the rest, whilst as the teams are announced on the tannoy, one old man shouts 'Cruz Allen, that's the player to watch'. Unfortunately for us, and his toothache suffering dad who I saw at the turnstile, Cruz is only on the bench tonight.
As kick off occurs it's a bright start of front to back football but errors are plenty in these young nervous legs, Derby have already conceded possession on a number of occasions before giving the ball to tricky Cherries winger Ash Clarke who races into the box and fires home low.
It's a deserved early goal for the visitors who look the better side, more composed on the ball they press and squeeze their opponents into too many errors, but an injury for Freddie Turley has a long stoppage break the games stride, Cruz Allen getting an earlier entrance than predicted, let's see what he has to offer with plenty of the game to go at.
By now I've worked out that a player who looks good in body, Blackett-Taylor, is not one that impresses in possession, but Derby have other attacking outlets and Jack Perry does well down the right, he's inside the box and prods home on the second attempt, somehow Derby are back all square.
The Score
That goal adds belief into the Rams attack and their best player for me, is left sided centre half Keilen Robinson, he's one of few not to put a foot wrong and he has a big left foot which is used to turn the opposition defence, suddenly he's in space thirty yards out, takes a touch and bends home a beauty from outside the box.
That gives the Rams a half time lead as I zip my jacket up as far north as it can go for the second half, and within minutes of the restart, Bournemouth level up, as lively right sider Koby Mottoh crosses in and the ball deflects home into the Derby net.
Mottoh is dangerous and direct and on the hour he's in again, this time cutting into the box to shoot low a goal that puts his side ahead. It's little more than the Cherries deserve.
That said, Derby do have a go late on, they push men forward and Cruz Allen becomes more prominent, a creative left footed midfielder with guile, he's got a bit of a backside but a touch of the Gazza's about him, not nearly as classy but similar movement and a cheeky presence that says to team-mates, 'give me the ball and I'll make things happen'.
Another sub, Morten Spencer, also gives it a good go to make things happen for Derby, but Bournemouth defend well, their captain Kinsey at centre half becoming more prominent as the game goes on.
The Stars
One player I've not mentioned is Toure Williams who in the Angel Gomes category of midfielders is a hard working but silky smooth ferret of a figure in the centre of the Bournemouth park. Very impressive attitude he always seems to be in the thick of it and his ball recycling is safe and reliable which helps the way his side like to play.
Whilst right winger Mottoh is man of the match, I like left sider Clarke who has a touch of class, both blessed with pace and positivity and if tonight's anything to go by, finishing ability too.
Another one who compliments the visiting teams style is centre forward Johnny Stuttle, a strong boy who leads from the front, he has good vision for a shot or a pass and plays well with his back to goal.
And not one for mentioning goalkeepers, although he annoyed me at times whilst standing on the ball awaiting the press, Bournemouth shot stopper Cal McKenna looked to have all round ability, confident, cocky, a good shot stopper and decent with his feet, he's one that could go on to play a lot of games at a fair level.
For Derby, whilst 17-year-old Cruz Allen shown some subtle touches in the final third which I liked, their best player for me was the no-nonsense Robinson at centre back, but other highlights included number ten Lennon Wheeldon a thick set playmaker in midfield, try getting the ball off him, whilst old Northern Irish international Conor Washington in attack, all be it at the other end of his career, was at times a handful for the opposition defence.
The Verdict
In fairness, Derby have been known in these parts for having a cracking Academy for some years, at the development stage it doesn't have to be all about results but they do give you an idea as to where these sides, and players, are at.
Bournemouth look to have more players that can kick on but that's not to say their path will be made clearer. Only yesterday I listened to a podcast featuring their South American scout Francisco Lorenzo and that is an area the first team manager Andoni Iraola is looking to recruit in more, which may hinder one or two's chances of coming through the system.
The Teams
Derby County: Jack Thompson, Max Bardell, Tristan Gill, Freddie Turley (Cruz Allen 13), Daniel Cox (Morten Spencer 67), Keilen Robinson, Jack Perry, Harry Hawkins, Conor Washington, Lennon Wheeldon, Corey Blackett-Taylor.
Bournemouth: Cal McKenna, Koby Mottoh (Coby Small 84), Karlos Gregory, Toure Williams, Harold William, Max Kinsey, Ashley Clarke, Lewis Brown, Jonny Struttle, Ben Winterburn, Remy Rees-Dottin.
7:00pm Kick Off. Friday 13th September 2024, North Street, Alfreton (att 159).
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