Connolly delighted as training ground winner beats Rams

Callum Connolly’s winner at Derby was cooked up at Ipswich Town’s Playford Road training base, with the young midfielder delighted to see the well-rehearsed effort come good to beat the Rams.

Connolly met a superb Martyn Waghorn corner to head home just five minutes into the game at Pride Park, with video technology aiding the award of the goal with replays showing it had clearly crossed the line despite goalkeeper Scott Carson’s best efforts.

The Everton loanee was thrilled to get off the mark for the Blues with a near-post header, which ensured his side’s unbeaten run at Pride Park now extends to 10 games.

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Callum Connolly scores his early goal at Derby Picture Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd.07976 935738)

“It was a great moment because we’ve worked on that in training throughout the week,” he said.

“Luckily it’s paid off. Martyn has been spot on in the last few games and has created a lot of chances. He didn’t get his goal tonight but he’s set up the winner.

“I feel like a goal has been coming. I’ve been working on that in training – we’ve been working on set pieces – and thankfully it’s paid off.

“I’ve scored a few (headed goals) in the past and hopefully some in the future too.”

Callum Connolly celebrates his early goal at Derby Picture Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd.07976 935738)

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Following Connolly’s goal the visitors had to dig in to secure the victory, defending astutely in the final half hour, with the youngster insisting their gameplan worked perfectly.

“Overall it’s a great win, a well needed one,” he said.

“From start to finish I think we defended well, limited them to few chances and we got a good goal.

“The gameplan was spot on. They had a lot of possession and at the end of the day they didn’t score and didn’t create that much, apart from in the second half.”