Derby County Under-18s’ second game in as many months ended in defeat, as they lost 3-0 at the hands of Stoke City.

With recent weather conditions finally at bay which have seen many recent youth team fixtures postponed, the Under-18s endured a difficult return to league action at the Training Centre in Partnership with the University of Derby.

Having last played a competitive fixture just under a month ago in a 1-0 defeat against Liverpool, they got off to a slow start and found themselves a goal down within five minutes.

Potters winger Abdoulaye Toure received a pinpoint through ball deep into the Rams’ half, from there he was able to shrug off the challenge from defenders and drive into the penalty area before firing a well-struck effort low into the bottom right corner of goal.

The early Stoke opener was a wake-up call for the Rams and they began to grow into the game as Connor Dixon set in Yoann Greco, his quick feet almost eluded the defender but the Stoke man was able to recover and block Greco’s effort at goal.

Midway through the half the young Rams came their closest to an equaliser, a well worked free kick routine ended in Henry Wise sending a looping cross into the box, which Archie Brown met and nodded against the top of the crossbar.

With Derby attempting to remain on the front foot they were caught by a City counter, goal scorer Toure raced down the left-hand-side before squaring to James Jennings in the centre of the box whose effort brought an excellent sprawling save from Derby goalkeeper Bradley Foster-Theniger.

However minutes later the save was in vain, a corner which resulted from some Stoke pressure was met by Scott Wara who rose highest in the box to double the visitors’ lead shortly before half time.

Few chances went the way of either side during the opening period of the second-half, but with 20 minutes to go City added their third.

After continuous interchangeable possession between the two sides Max Murphy managed to get his foot on the ball before rifling beyond Foster-Theniger from 25-yards to put the game out of sight.

With tensions riding high, after a tough challenge Eiran Cashin was given his marching orders by the referee for a second yellow to reduce Derby to 10 men.

Neither side could make another breakthrough and the game fizzled out into the 3-0 victory for the Potters.

What’s To Come…

Next up the Rams face West Bromwich Albion at the Training Centre in Partnership with the University of Derby.

The Baggies recorded a 4-1 victory over Liverpool last time out in an emphatic victory over Steven Gerrard’s Reds.

When the two sides last met Derby were 3-1 winners, with an Adam Davie double and Morgan Whittaker on the scoresheet.

The Next Four…

Derby County U18s Vs West Bromwich Albion U18s- Tuesday 10th April 2018 (kick-off: 11am)

Derby County U18s Vs Newcastle United U18s- Saturday 14th April 2018 (kick-off: 1pm)

Wolverhampton Wanderers U18s Vs Derby County U18s- Tuesday 17th April 2018 (kick-off: 12pm)

Manchester City EDS Vs Derby County U18s- Saturday 21st April (kick-off: 12pm)

Words: Andrew Haines