Promotion party for Derby 1sts as 2-2 draw seals the deal

Marcus Hall reports from Kedleston Road

University of Derby 1st XI clinched promotion in a 2-2 red-carded frenzy draw with University of Oxford Men’s 1st XI.

All Derby needed going into the game was a draw and that is what was delivered.

Derby took the lead in the 33rd minute, Charlie Holliday smashing the ball into the bottom right-hand corner from 25 yards out.

A swift reply four minutes later came from Noah Fletcher who curled the ball into the top right corner for Oxford’s equaliser.

Going into the second half, Marcel Tenkorang headed the ball into the back of net for Oxford in the 58th minute to take a 2-1 lead. Pressure mounted on Derby and with the importance of the game showing, yellow cards were flying all over the place from both teams. 

Shortly after conceding Derby faced further struggles with Arnold Marimbe getting sent off from a second yellow by kicking the ball away.

Ten minutes later however Derby’s constant pressure chasing the game resulted in a penalty being given which Holliday slotted in the bottom-left hand corner to get his brace.

Right at the end of the game Oxford saw red twice with Fletcher and Ollie Northing both being sent off in added time which added further misery for Oxford. Derby finish second in BUCS Midlands Tier 2 league.