The Derby County FC Kickz project celebrated a successful start to the scheme by hosting their first friendly match against the Kickz project from Aston Villa Football Club.

The game took place on Saturday April 12 on the Steve Bloomer Pitch, at the Racecourse, Derby.

Players aged 15-18 took part in what was a very entertaining match. There was a good crowd present, with support from the younger members of the project.

Before the game both teams posed for team photographs as well as a group photograph with both clubs standing alongside each other.

The players shook hands, which was to set the tone for the rest of the day.

Both sides were evenly matched, especially in the first 20 minutes where a breakthrough proved difficult to come by.

As the first half progressed the game started to open up and an opening goal looked likely.

Villa looked lively up front and Billy Bradshaw had to make a couple of good saves to keep Villa out.

At the other end Derby were asking questions of the Villa backline forcing the keeper into action.

Derby were the first to strike however, with good work down the left side by Sam Preston who laid the ball back for Danny Hadley to delicately lob the goalkeeper from the corner of the 18 yard box.

Both sides were putting in strong challenges in the middle of the park, with game turning out to be a good contest.

The referee had very little to do which was a credit to both sets of players.

Derby made it 2-0 before the break with a poacher's goal from Sam Preston. The striker looked a threat all game and deserved his goal.

The second half kicked off with Villa in the ascendency, looking to push for a goal to get them back in the game.

The game started to open up as the players tired, but both sides continued to push forward showing a lot of quality in the process.

Villa pulled one back with a beautifully curled free kick from 20 yards which wrong footed the Derby goalkeeper.

Derby started to get nervous as Villa pushed for an equaliser, but the game was sealed by Sam Preston's second strike of the game to make it 3-1.

It was good work down the right by Steven Byrne who then squared to Preston to slot home.

The game was played in an excellent spirit and both sets of players can be extremely proud of how they conducted themselves.

The players and coaches shook hands before heading to the changing rooms.

The day wasn't over however, as both teams were rewarded for their efforts with free tickets to the Barclays Premier League game between Derby County and Aston Villa at Pride Park.

All in all it was a fantastic day, and something which will hopefully continue in the future.