Derby University 3rds were victorious in a commanding 4-1 win against league rivals Leicester University 2nds.
Derby University 3rds were victorious in a commanding 4-1 win against league rivals Leicester University 2nds.
Coming into the match Derby were in second place in the table with 12 points from six matches and the hosts were the clear favourites to win against a Leicester side with just three points from five games.
Derby were calm in possession and controlled the tempo and rhythm of the match, especially in the first half.
Both sides had early opportunities to open the scoring, Leicester coming close from a corner before Lewis Smith hit the ball over the crossbar for Derby.
Derby soon came close again when Mike Ryan shot straight at the goalkeeper from inside the penalty area.
The hosts did open the scoring through Adam Blaire, who was clinical from inside the box to put the ball past the Leicester keeper.
It did not take long for Derby to double their lead when Lewis Smith striked the ball into the bottom left corner of the net from outside the box.
Ryan scored Derby’s third goal in the 23rd minute from a well-worked team move.
In the second half, Leicester were doing everything to get back in the game and they did pull one back through Dylan Skuses in the 73-minute.
However, after that goal, Derby controlled the match and scored a 4th goal in the 96th minute. Derby were by far the better side and deserving winners with a brilliant all-round performance.