Derby County’s Under-18s booked their place in the knockout stages of the 2024/25 Premier League Cup after an impressive 3-2 home victory against Manchester City on Saturday at Moor Farm Training Ground.
A Justin Oguntolu double either side of a Johnson Osong header meant Danny Maye’s side returned to winning ways after a 5-3 defeat against the same opponents two weeks ago in Premier League - North.
Oguntolu opened the scoring inside the first two minutes after capitalising on a loose ball in the opposition penalty box.
The Rams doubled their lead courtesy of Osong, who headed home following a delicate Cruz Allen cross.
Oguntolu further added to the side’s lead before the break to round off an emphatic first half display, as Derby won the ball back high up and Oguntolu kept his composure to fire home his second and Derby’s third.
The visitors pulled two goals back in the second half through Mathew Warhurst and Ryan McAidoo, but Derby weathered heavy pressure in the last 15 minutes and held on to secure top spot in Group A of the Premier League Cup.
Team News
Derby County Under-18s: Price (GK), K Gordon (Canoville 70), I Gordon, Tola, Banks, Osayande, McAndrew (Richards 78), Allen, Oguntolu (Augstien 90), Eames, Osong
Substitutes Not Used: Rees (GK), Green.
Post-Match Reaction
Under-18 Lead Coach Danny Maye was delighted with his side's performance in difficult conditions with the rain pouring down throughout.
He said: “We knew it’d be a game of two halves with the weather, and the first half performance was excellent.
“We started really well despite the delay to kick off which is pleasing. We picked the right moments to press and when we did win the ball back, we played forward really quickly and the front three looked really dangerous.”
Maye was pleased to finish top of the group and qualify for the next round of the Premier League Cup and he added: “We knew we had a job to do today (to qualify). We could only do our part and go out and do our best to win. We needed a result to go our way, and it did, but the lads deserve it and they’re delighted.”
Despite losing a close contest against Manchester City just two weeks ago, Maye believed in his team's ability to avenge that loss.
He said: “We don’t change anything. It doesn’t matter who we play - we've got our style of play, and we stick to it.
“We probably had a bit less possession than we’re used to because of the quality that City have, but we did really well when we had the ball. The lads played some brilliant football - we played out from the back brilliantly and created a lot of chances as a result, but we also saw the game out really well.”
The Under-18s return to league action with a short trip across the East Midlands to face local rivals Nottingham Forest on Saturday 30th November (11am kick-off).
Words: Will Stanier