Report: Bristol City 1 Derby County 2 (Game 2)

Following the 1-0 win over the Rams in a weather-abandoned match the previous evening after Famara Diedhiou’s early goal, the re-match went the way of Philip Cocu’s side.

Goals from Mason Bennett and Ikechi Anya gave Derby a two-goal lead before Saikou Janneh pulled one back for a completely changed City side to ensure the games stayed even over the two games.

Derby led 1-0 after the break through Bennett’s strike into the top right-had corner.

City had their chances early on with Niclas Eliasson proving lively down the right and whipping in crosses for Nathan Baker, whose glancing header went wide, and for Jamie Paterson to stab agonisingly wide of goal.  

The Swedish winger also came close with a left-foot strike just wide of the post.

The Robins had to do their fair share of defending, with Taylor Moore crucially touching the ball away from Joe Bateman in front of goal.

Derby got the breakthrough after 13 minutes when Bennett shrugged off Baker 25 yards out and put the ball past the diving Bentley.

City changed shape in the second half with Janneh replacing Moore and shortly after Tyreeq Bakinson taking over from the injured Antoine Semenyo.

Hakeeb Adelukan showed good skill on the left to free himself some space and fire a long-range shot which Jonathan Mitchell saved.

At the other end Derby doubled their lead when Bennett threaded a ball through to Ikechi Anya who slotted the ball past Bentley.

City came back with Eliasson’s corner headed down by Baker and Janneh deflecting the ball into the goal but it was too late to affect the result.

The Robins will continue their pre-season training regime and face Sarasota Metropolis in a friendly at the IMG Academy next Friday (July 19^th, 11am EDT KO, 4pm BST).