Derby County Under-18s delivered a workmanlike performance as they defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 in the Premier League – North.
Justin Walker’s side continued an impressive run of form which saw them defeat Liverpool last time out, on a run which takes the Under-18s to nine wins in their last 10 games in all competitions.
The visitors themselves had also come into the game off the back of a 2-1 victory as they defeated Blackburn Rovers in their last outing and it was Wolves who started the game the brighter side.
Inside the first five minutes Wanderers should have taken the lead as a lose pass from Bradley Foster-Theniger landed at Wolves’ Jaden Forrester’s feet, but he couldn’t control and his effort was blocked.
Derby were next to trade a blow, a long ball back to the visitors’ goalkeeper, Joe Young, was pounced on by Morgan Whittaker but his effort was somehow kept out by Young.
Soon after the Rams had their deserved lead, the ball was shifted across the pitch from right to left to the feet of Tyree Wilson and he made no mistake with his first-time finish.
With chances going begging for both sides the score line was doubled by a Whittaker penalty. He was tripped in the area on the stroke of half-time and stepped up to slam home Derby’s second.
Within 15 minutes of second-half action Wolves had clawed one back. Lewis Richards was fouled in the box and Austin Samuels converted the resulting penalty to halve the deficit.
Despite pressure from both sides Derby were able to grind out the victory to claim four wins on the bounce and another three points.
What’s to come…
Next up the Rams take on Blackpool away from home in the FA Youth Cup third round on Tuesday 4th December.
The Seasiders are in fine form in the Youth Alliance League and currently sit second in the table, trailing Wigan Athletic.
The game will be played at Blackpool’s Bloomfield Road, kick-off 7pm.
The next five…
Blackpool U18s Vs Derby County U18s - Tuesday 4th December 2018 (kick-off: 7pm)
Aston Villa U18s Vs Derby County U18s - Saturday 8th December 2018 (kick-off: 11am)
Derby County U18s Vs Manchester United U18s - Saturday 12th January 2019 (kick-off: 12pm)
Blackburn Rovers U18s Vs Derby County U18s - Saturday 19th January 2019 (kick-off: 12:30pm)
Derby County U18s Vs Manchester City U18s – Saturday 2nd February 2019 (kick-off: 12pm)