Match Reports

Report: Weir on target as under-23s take point

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Midfielder scores his fifth of the season in 1-1 draw at Derby County in Premier League 2.

By Bruce Talbot • 14 December 2020

By Simon Davies
Albion celebrate their opening goal against Derby County under-23s.

Jensen Weir scored his fifth goal of the season as Albion ended a run of three defeats in Premier League 2 with a 1-1 draw at Derby County on Monday.

The midfielder pounced in the 26th minute with a right-foot strike from close range and Albion were good value for their lead at the break.

They had further chances to extend it but Derby got back into the game in the closing 20 minutes and equalised through Jordan Ibe's penalty nine minutes from time. 

Albion will feel they should have had a penalty in the first minute when Teddy Jenks appeared to have been fouled by Archie Brown, but the referee waved away strong appeals from the visitors.

As their bright start continued, Stefan Vukoje won possession deep in the Derby half and found Danny Cashman. His pass freed Weir in space on the right but the midfielder blazed wide from a good position.

The Rams responded and Louie Sibley, who has plenty of experience in the Championship, twice went close inside a minute, firing into the side netting from a tight angle before beating Marc Leonard on the left but not keeper Carl Rushworth who then made a simple save when Sibley scuffed his close-range effort.

By Simon Davies
Danny Cashman goes for goal against Derby County.

But it was Albion who went ahead in the 26th minute. Jack Spong cut inside from the right and found Cashman whose shot was blocked into the path of Weir and he made no mistake from close range. 

It was no more than Albion deserved and before the break they should have stretched their lead.

Cashman was dispossessed just when he was about to pull the trigger in the box after he was picked out by Jenks' ball into space; Vukoje forced a decent save from Manny Idem and then Jenks again found Cashman after a swift counter but the striker lifted his effort over the bar. 

Rushworth comfortably saved two efforts from defender Archie Brown but Albion were deservedly in front at the break and they could have scored a second in the 47th minute. The hardworking Cashman intercepted a poor pass and found Spong in lots of space but he failed to hit the target from 12 yards with only the goalkeeper to beat. 

Albion dominated possession for the first 20 minutes of the second half but all the time their lead was just a goal there was hope for Derby, who had brought on Ibe at half-time. 

By Simon Davies
Romaric Yapi gets forward against Derby County under-23s.

Ibe created some space but shot wide from the edge of the box as the hosts began to sense they might still get something out of the game and Derby had a penalty claim of their own turned down when Jahmal Hector-Ingram went down under Antef Tsoungui's challenge. 

But with nine minutes to go, after Hector-Ingram was hauled down by Leonard, the referee did point to the spot and Ibe drilled the penalty down the middle to make it 1-1. 

Derby now looked the likely winners and deep into stoppage time Ibe pulled a great ball across the face of goal which Rushworth pounced on just when Hector-Ingram was ready to pounce.

A second Derby goal would have been harsh on Albion, who are back in action for the final time in 2020 on Friday when they welcome Everton to the American Express Elite Football Centre. 

Albion: Rushworth, Yapi, Turns, Tsoungui, Leonard (Tanimowo 90), Furlong, Vukoje (Moran 68), Weir, Jenks, Cashman (Wilson 77), Spong.  

Unused subs: Talley, Ella.