Derby County’s Under-21s suffered late heartbreak in the Final of the 2022/23 Derbyshire Senior Cup on Wednesday evening as they were defeated 2-1 by National League North side Buxton FC at Pride Park Stadium.
Kido Taylor-Hart’s goal after 35 minutes looked to have been the difference between the two sides in a Cup Final of few clear-cut chances until the final ten minutes under the floodlights at the Rams’ home ground.
Diego De Girolamo’s strike in the final minute of normal time hauled Buxton onto level terms as they threw the kitchen sink at Pat Lyons’ side in the closing stages and Connor Kirby’s close-range finish deep into added time went on to settle the tie before penalties were required.
Despite tasting defeat in such disappointing fashion, the Rams’ youngsters can certainly be proud of their efforts to have reached the Final of the competition and the experiences gained in the competition will stand them in good stead for the future.
The opening exchanges proved to be tight and lacking in terms of quality and it took until the 25th minute for an opportunity of any note to be carved out by either side. The first chance came Derby’s way, after weathering an early spell of pressure from Buxton, with Harry Hawkins’ right-wing cross headed over by Dajaune Brown.
Derby went on to take the lead ten minutes later and Taylor-Hart’s quick-feet and ability on the ball proved to be decisive as the Rams made the breakthrough. The forward got away down the right wing and, after cutting inside, he drilled a low strike into the bottom corner with his left-foot.
That proved to be the last noteworthy action of the opening 45 minutes and, following the half-time break, Derby almost had a second but skipper Darren Robinson’s low strike was saved by Theo Richardson in the Buxton goal.
Jak McCourt had a free-kick easily saved by Harry Evans and Sam Osborne had a goal ruled out for offside as Buxton pushed for a way back into the game as the hour mark approached, while down the other end Cian Kelly-Caprani blazed a shot over from 20 yards after good work by Taylor-Hart.
Evans in the Derby goal made two vital saves as the non-league side applied plenty of pressure as they went in search of an equaliser going into the final ten minutes with the pick of the bunch being a strong block at his near post from De Girolamo’s strike.
Striker Dajaune Brown had a shot kept out by Richardson, who also blocked Taylor-Hart’s rebound effort, while down the other end Evans managed to claw an effort off the line to deny the visitors a certain equaliser with five minutes left after a ball into the box wasn’t dealt with.
Buxton came again with a minute of normal time remaining and this time the inspired Evans was unable to keep them out. A fine ball across the box from the right-hand side was delivered into the path of De Girolamo inside the six-yard box and he made no mistake as he scrambled the ball over the line.
The pressure continued to come and Buxton eventually went on to claim the Senior Cup with seconds left to play. Another cross into the box, this time from the left, found its way to Kirby at the far post and he forced the ball into the back of the net from a yard out to break Derby’s hearts.
The Under-21s now have just one game remaining in their 2022/23 season as they play host to Newcastle United at Loughborough University Stadium on Monday 24th April (7pm kick-off) in Premier League 2 - Division 2.
Derby County Under-21s: Evans (GK), Brailsford (Oduroh 68), Robinson (C), Cox, Grewal-Pollard, Bates, Kelly-Caprani, Hawkins, Taylor-Hart (Oseni 88), Brown, Vigar.
Substitutes Not Used: Shattell (GK), Burton, Fapetu.
Buxton FC: Richardson (GK), Conway (Brown 81), Moult, Kirby, De Girolamo, Poole, Brinsley (C), McCourt (Dawson 81), Osbourne, Jackson, Ackroyd (Boden 64).
Substitutes Not Used: Granite, Bacon.