Derby County’s Under-18s booked their place in the Fourth Round of
the FA Youth Cup as they defeated Sunderland 4-1 at Pride Park Stadium
on Tuesday evening.
Goals from Adisa Osayande, Cruz Allen, Johnson Osong and Owen Eames helped see the Rams past the Black Cats in a convincing display from Danny Maye’s side.
Derby started strongly and they took the lead in the third minute of the match after Osayande’s point-blank header was saved by Sunderland goalkeeper Ben Metcalf, but the ball was turned in at the second time of asking by the defender.
The visitors equalised in the 23rd minute as Trey Ogunsuyi latched onto a through-ball by Jack Whittaker and slotted the ball into the bottom left-hand corner.
Allen fired the Derby back into the lead in the 74th minute after a cutback from Osong allowed for a fine first-time finish from the Wales youth international.
The roles were reversed in the 90th minute with Allen turning provider, as his square pass found Osong to finish home into the vacant Sunderland net.
Derby secured the victory in deep into added time via Eames’ composed finish after he was picked out on a fast breakaway by Justin Oguntolu.
The win set up a trip up the M1 to face Sheffield United in the next round of the competition in the New Year.
Derby County Under-18s: Price (GK), I Gordon, Gill, Tola (Agustien 53), Banks (C), Osayande, McAndrew (Richards 71), Allen (Canoville 90), Oguntolu, Eames, Osong.
Substitutes Not Used: Thompson (GK), K Gordon, Mintus, Green.
Post-Match Reaction
Under-18 Lead Coach Danny Maye revealed that he didn’t think the scoreline was a true reflection on the competitive nature of the Third Round tie.
He said: “It was a typical FA Youth Cup game, especially in the early stages. We looked a bit nervous in the first half.
“The second half was much better, the players seemed to sort [the issues] out themselves, and we had a lot more control.”
Maye was full of praise for Allen, who proved to be a driving force in the side’s victory.
“I thought he did really well,” he said. “Cruz looked like one of the more composed players on the pitch and he wasn’t scared to take a risk. He is one of those players who can make a difference and fortunately at 1-1, he stepped up.”
When asked about the occasion of playing in the FA Youth Cup at Pride Park, Maye admitted he felt his side understandably struggled to cope with the pressure early on.
“We put this game on at the stadium and we ramp up the pressure, but at their best they’d have managed those emotions quicker,” Maye said.
“It took us half a game to settle down, but they’re kids and that’s the purpose of these games so we accept that.”
The Under-18s' next fixture after Christmas comes against the same opponents, this time hosting Sunderland at Moor Farm Training Centre in Under-18 Premier League - North on Saturday 11th January (1pm kick-off).
Words: Joe Bird.