Derby County Under-18s continued their impressive start to the 2024/25 season as they defeated Stoke City 6-2 in an entertaining game at Moor Farm on Saturday morning.

A hat-trick from Charles Ebuka Agbawodikeizu, a fine strike and a penalty rebound from captain Owen Eames and a second half goal from Justin Oguntolu secured the three points for Danny Maye’s side, extending their unbeaten start to their Under-18 Premier League campaign.

An end-to-end start to the game saw Derby take the lead inside two minutes, as the ball fell kindly to Agbawodikeizu who made no mistake from close range.

The visitors equalised almost immediately through Jayden Ogbebor, but the Rams regained their lead on the half-hour mark as Eames curled a brilliant effort into the far corner.

Agbawodikeizu grabbed his second and Derby’s third after a mix up at the back presented him with a golden chance to sneak in behind and tap into an empty net.

The visitors halved the deficit on the verge of half-time, as Laurence Giani curled a brilliant free kick past the helpless Charlie Hardy.

Derby restored their two-goal advantage early in the second half, as Agbawodikeizu was on hand to power home for his hat-trick. Oguntolu made it five on the hour mark, as he fired home from a cutback.

Eames grabbed his second of the afternoon with 70 minutes on the clock, although his penalty was saved, he was on hand to finish from the rebound to make it six.

The Team

Starting XI: Hardy (GK), K. Gordon, I. Gordon, Tola, Canoville, Marriott, Richards (Osong 58), Agustien (Mintus 68), Agbawodikeizu, Eames (C), Oguntolu (Green 66).

Substitutes Not Used: Rees (GK), Doyle.

Post-Match Reaction

Assistant Under-18 Coach Bradley Johnson was delighted with how the side problem solved on the pitch and said: “It was a different challenge for us. We thought they were going to come with a certain shape and press, but they didn’t.

“It was great for the boys to have to work it out on the pitch and I thought they did it brilliantly. It was great to get six goals, and I thought we could have had even more.

On Stoke scoring just before half-time, Johnson said: “Momentum is a big thing, and that goal gave it to them going into the second half so it’s something me and Danny (Maye) spoke about.

“The lads are getting really good at dealing with it. To come out and get the first goal of the second half was massive for us.”

Johnson is delighted with the depth of goalscorers the Under-18s possess and praised Charles Ebuka Agbawodikeizu for taking his chances: “We’ve got goals in abundance, which creates competition and keeps the lads on their toes.

“I’m delighted for Charles; he’s had to wait for his chance, but he worked so hard for the team today and deserved everything he got.”

Today's victory means it’s now two wins and one draw to start the Under-18 Premier League season of, but Johnson insists the side aren’t getting ahead of themselves: “We just take things game by game.

“We’ll debrief this one and after that our focus switches to the next league game, the lads are growing in confidence, but we’ve got to take things game by game - as the first team would.”

Words: Will Stanier.