AFC Telford 2 Derby County 4 - Report
A spirited fight from AFC Telford was not enough as a classy Derby County development team eased to a 4-2 win at New Bucks Head.
Jack Roberts' double, including the game's opener, was over-shadowed by a spectacular second-half display from the young Rams.
The Bucks had made a bright start and got their just rewards 13 minutes in, Jordan Goddard was involved in some neat build-up, the ball eventually finding Thomas some 30-yards from goal, for the midfielder to hit a rising drive with his left footed from 30-yards into the top corner.
The lead lasted all of 30 seconds, Kwame Thomas broke free of the Telford backline and beat Mason Springthorpe to the ball before being clipped by the home stopper. A certain spot-kick and Guy made little mistake.
As the hectic opening settled down, the Rams looked threatening on the break with plenty of pace and trickery through their front three of McDonald, Thomas and Guy. But the hosts went closest, as Jeff Vernall nodded a Johnny Gorman corner narrowly wide.
The young visitors upped the anti before the break and McDonald went close with three openings. First saw an instinctive stab tipped over by Springthorpe before his first time strike was spectacularly saved by the host keeper's legs. The lively Derby attacker then headed over.
Bucks were growing in confidence and linked up spectacularly on the stroke of half-time with great applause from the Telford faithful. Jack Rea was unable to add the finishing touch to a fine move between him and Goddard.
Calero was one of three visiting substitutes at the break and it took him seven minutes to make his impact. Linking up with Kyron Stabana and Timi Elsnik down the right hand side, he jinked into the box before dancing through a couple of challenges and finishing superbly.
As the changes rang in on the hour mark, Derby stretched their advantage through Thomas, who chased onto an accurate through ball and dinked a perfect finish over sub 'keeper James Montgomery. The tall striker had seen one ruled out for offside moments before.
Izak Reid kept Josh Barnes in the Derby goal on his toes with an effort after cutting in from the right.
Ollrende Zanzala was next to profit from Telford's high line, Guy scythed through the host's midfield and fed the forward who slipped it through Montgomery's legs to make it four.
Bucks trialist Alex Fletcher carved himself a snapshot on goal after harrying the Derby defence and seeing his effort parried by Barnes.
Telford grabbed themselves a consolation through Roberts with his second, who swept home from 16 yards on a pleasing personal night for the midfielder.
