Elliott has Rams on hit List in friendly as Diallo gets trial run
EX-HAMMERS WINGER GOES ON AS SECOND-HALF SUB
DERBY County suffered their first defeat of pre-season as Elliott List’s 31st-minute goal was enough to secure a 1-0 victory for Stevenage at the Lamex Stadium last night.
The forward, who was a handful for the Rams all night, demonstrated quick feet to engineer half a yard of space before firing beyond keeper Joe Wildsmith at his near post.
Rams interim boss Liam Rosenior mixed up his starting 11 for the trip to Stevenage and included former West Ham United winger Amadou Diallo in the squad.
Diallo is a free agent after leaving the Hammers and was among the substitutes.
David McGoldrick and James Chester were not involved, the pair sitting out the clash with a view to giving them an extended run-out against Leicester City on Saturday. That is also the plan for latest Rams signing Korey Smith.
Conor Hourihane, Curtis Davies and James Collins were in the Rams starting 11 and the visitors started brightly in sweltering conditions, with Craig Forsyth heading wide of a post.
But afterwards Steve Evans’ Stevenage side proved difficult to break
down, although the Rams were sometimes guilty of being a touch careless in possession.
List broke the deadlock when, faced with Eiran Cashin, he produced some quick feet before fireing past Wildsmith.
Stevenage continued to look a threat after taking the lead, with Luke Norris heading wide of the post before List drew a brilliant save from Wildsmith.
At the other end, Jason Knight saw his header clear the bar in the first half having been picked out superbly by summer signing Kwaku Oduroh.
Rosenior made several changes at the break as Max Bird, Richard Stearman, Jack Stretton and triallist Diallo went on in the hope of finding an equaliser.
Goalkeeper Taye Ashby-Hammond
had to beat out a cross from Louie Sibley, while Knight linked up well with Diallo only for his cutback towards the penalty spot to be hacked clear.
At the other end, Michael Bostwick curled wide for the home side.
Tom Barkhuizen, Haydon Roberts and Scott Loach were introduced by the Rams but the visitors struggled to create any clear-cut opportunities.
Jamie Reid saw a shot deflected over the bar before Cashin had to make a vital clearance with 15 minutes remaining.
The Rams attempted to find a late equaliser but substitute goalkeeper Aaron Chapman was not troubled.