Derby Men’s 2nd XI 1-2 Nottingham Trent Men’s 3rd XI: Hosts struggle to get off the mark in local derby
Words by Luke Bissett.
University of Derby Men’s 2nd XI lost in their season opener as they were beaten 2-1 by Nottingham Trent University Men’s 3rd XI.
After a scrappy start, with neither side able to get a hold of possession, it was the away side who broke the deadlock after 25 minutes. Good work down the left flank by Freddie Entwistle, saw him beat a defender and pull the ball back into the path of Umanga Chithila, who lofted the ball over Dan Lawlor-Potton’s head, into the far-right corner.
Nottingham Trent then doubled their lead 5 minutes later. Derby were unable to properly clear their lines from a corner which allowed their opponents to work the ball back out wide. An inch-perfect Entwistle cross was then met with a towering header from Charlie Leach, leaving the goalkeeper no chance.
It was the hosts though, who finished the half the stronger side, with two great opportunities to reduce the deficit. The first chance saw Clarence Clark send a header just over the bar. Then with seconds remaining, Jude Ayetine’s cross was met by Tommy Daws, who saw his effort whiz just wide of the post.
10 minutes into the second half, the visitors nearly made it 3-0. Zak Oliver ran onto a ball played in behind the defence but his low driven shot was blocked on the line by Kyle Pemberton.
Derby then found a way back into the match in the 61st minute as captain, Ammar Abbas, powered a header into the top corner.
The home side came agonisingly close to levelling the score after 75 minutes, with Thierry Fang striking the woodwork 3 times in the same phase of play. Calls of the ball crossing the line were in vain as the score remained 2-1.
It was Nottingham Trent who had the final chance of the game as Lawlor-Potton just managed to tip Charlie Fitzmaurice’s volley past the post. Despite their best efforts, Derby were unable to convert their chances in the second half to find a equaliser and they went on to lose 2-1.
Next up for the 2nd XI it is Bedfordshire Men’s 1st XI on Wednesday 16th on the Kedleston Road 3G pitch.
