LiverpoolDerby County Under-18s got off to a winning start in their 2024/25 Under-18 Premier League - North campaign on Saturday by beating Liverpool 5-1 at Moor Farm on Saturday afternoon.
An own goal from Lucas Pitt and an Owen Eames strike meant the young Rams went into the break with a two-goal lead, and second-half goals from Luke Banks, Justin Oguntolu and substitute Charles Ebuka Agbawodikeizu secured the three points.
Derby almost took an early lead through Wales youth international Cruz Allen, but his snap-shot effort rattled off the crossbar.
The side’s lead came after 39 minutes - and it was an absolute gift. An aimless forward ball was left by all the Derby players as they recovered from an offside position, but the Liverpool backline got in all sorts of trouble and the ball somehow ended up in the back of the net with Pitt the unfortunate defender.
Danny Maye’s side doubled their lead a few minutes later when Eames picked up a loose pass and fired home into an open goal from outside the box.
Derby had the opportunity to make it three before half-time, as Eames was fouled inside the box, but Oguntolu’s penalty was well saved.
The young Rams started the second half as they ended the first by being on the front foot and were rewarded for their efforts in the 50th minute as a corner wasn’t dealt with by the Liverpool backline - captain Banks was on hand to tap home from a yard out.
Liverpool reduced the deficit on the hour mark as Josh Sonny-Lambie curled a fine effort into the far corner, but Derby restored their three-goal lead with a few minutes to go, as a great cross from Demaine Augstien found Oguntolu who made no mistake.
The fifth and final goal for Derby came a minute later, as two substitutes combined. Sean Corry cut it back to Agbawodikeizu, who took his time and slotted the ball into the corner.
Attention now turns to next Saturday’s trip to Newcastle United in the Rams’ first away day of the season (1pm kick-off).
Derby County Under-18s: Price (GK), K Gordon (I Gordon 46), Gill, Tola (Agbawodikeizu 63), Banks, Osayande, Richards (Corry 82), Agustien, Oguntolu, Eames, Allen.
Substitutes Not Used: Rees (GK), Marriott.
Reacting to the win, Under-18 Lead Coach Danny Maye said: “Overall, I think it’s a really positive start to the season. I thought we were poor for the first 20 minutes, but the good thing is we saw that period out really well.
“We stayed positive against a high press, created loads of chances and probably could have scored even more in the end.”
The young Rams ended last season by defeating Liverpool by the same scoreline, but Maye isn’t getting carried away.
“In fairness, it’s probably coincidence more than anything!” Maye said. “Clubs have an identity in the way they play and we knew how they’d press.
“They’re excellent on the counter press – similar to their first team - but when you play against Liverpool you know they’ll switch it up during the game which gives the lads different challenges to solve.”
Maye was delighted with how his side reacted to a slow start and said: “We almost looked a bit nervous at the start, which is understandable. There’s points up for grabs again now.
“The lads problem solved really well today and you could see as the game went on they really figured it out. The good thing about our style is, especially with the ball, the lads make quick decisions.”
On his side’s visit to Newcastle next weekend, Maye said: “It’ll be another learning experience for the lads, not only a different style of football but traveling up the day before and preparing like the first team do for an away game.
“We don’t get many of those in a season where we stop over, so it’s a new challenge for them to be away from their families so it’s something we’re looking forward to.”
Words: Will Stanier
