Derby County’s Under-18s were involved in a stunning ELEVEN GOAL thriller at Brighton & Hove Albion their Under-18 Premier League Cup opener on Tuesday afternoon.
Derby were 6-5 winners against the Seagulls in an enthralling Group A clash on the South Coast.
Nehemiah Oriola put Brighton in front inside a minute, but Derby hit back to equalise through Owen Eames’ third goal in as many outings so far this term with eight minutes played.
Oriola restored Brighton’s lead on 19 minutes, but Justin Oguntolu levelled things up again two minutes later.
Joe Belmont made it 3-2 to the hosts midway through the half, but Oguntolu made it 3-3 with half an hour played.
Tyler Silsby was sent off for two bookings for Brighton before half-time to round off a breathless opening half.
Oguntolu netted two quickfire goals early in the second half, to take his tally for the contest to four, to put the Rams in control.
However, Brighton’s Ronnie Gorman and Oriola, to complete his hat-trick, made it 5-5 and soon afterwards Derby defender Adisa Osayande was sent off for two bookings.
There was one final twist in a dramatic cup clash as substitute Marley Mintus made it 6-5 to Derby with four minutes left.
The Under-18s will conclude the first month of the season with a home clash against Stoke City in the Under-18 Premier League on Saturday 31st August (11am kick-off).
Team Information
Derby County Under-18s: Rees (GK), Doyle (Canoville 88), I Gordon, Tola, Banks, Osayande, Corry (Agbawodikeizu 46), Agustien, Oguntolu (Green 63), Eames, Richards (Mintus 46).
Substitute Not Used: Friars.
Post-Match Reaction
Reacting to the thrilling contest, Lead Under-18 Coach Danny Maye said: “It is a pleasing result against a strong Brighton team. However, we made it hard than we needed to.
“We went behind three times in the first half but kept creating chances and stayed in the game and should have gone into the second half with a lead.
“We scored another two good goals after half time, and it looked like we’d see out the game comfortably.
“We became a bit naive at 5-3 and, as the momentum shifted, we conceded two quick goals and Adisa Osayande got sent off.
“The most pleasing thing was the players found a way to win again. We stepped up and scored an excellent sixth goal through Marley Mintus and then managed to see out a lot of pressure in the last five minutes.”