Derby defeated as Albion continue superb start

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Charlie Hanson

2025-09-19T20:55+01:00

Harry Mills scored his first goal of the season. 📷 by James Boardman.

Our men’s under-21s continued their strong start to the season with a 3-1 win over Derby County in Premier League 2 on Friday night.

Four wins from their opening five games – including a 2-1 win at Sutton United on Tuesday night – had certainly put wind in the Albion's sails ahead of this encounter, but they had to recover from an early setback against the Rams.

Harry Howell had an effort that flew narrowly wide of the top corner in the first half. 📷 by James Boardman.

Adisa Osayande nodded the ball down in the Albion box and Lenny Wheeldon poked in from six yards to put the visitors in front after 11 minutes, although, having conceded nine goals in a three-game losing run to start the league season, you could sense that Derby would concede chances.

That would prove to be the case as a Harry Howell curler whistled past the top left corner before we had our equaliser after half an hour.

Harry Mills showed his composure to equalise for Albion. 📷 by James Boardman.

Tyler Silsby’s edge of the area strike was deflected to Shane Nti. The forward showed terrific awareness to flick the ball into the path of Harry Mills bursting into the box and he slid home to make it 1-1.

Having been integral in the opener, Nti looked to add his name to the scoresheet with just over an hour gone but steered wide after finding a yard on the edge of the area. A goal might have evaded him on the night, but his second assist of the game was a stunner.

Substitute Sean Keogh played the ball down the left for Nti to run onto and swing in an inch perfect first-time cross, finding the head of Joe Belmont, who steered in a precise header.

Joe Belmont brilliantly headed in from Shane Nti's sumptuous cross. 📷 by James Boardman.

Derby's push for an equaliser would prove to be in vain as Josh Robertson came off the bench to put the game beyond doubt with his first involvement in the 87th minute.

Zane Albarus was the provider this time as he slipped the ball in for the former Sunderland man and he was the coolest man in Lancing as he passed the ball across goal into the bottom corner.

The win makes it three victories from four games in Premier League 2, while our next home game in the league will take place at the Amex, which you can get your tickets for here.

The Albion team: Jensen, Mackley, Simmonds, Atom (Barclay 65), Mills (Keogh 65), Howell (Oriola 46), Owusu (Robertson 84), Knight (Albarus 46), Silsby, Nti, Belmont.