Derby County Under 18s suffered a 5-3 defeat to Manchester City Under-18s in an entertaining Premier League - North game at Moor Farm Training Ground on Saturday afternoon.

Goals from Marsel Tola, Jerome Richards and Justin Oguntolu were not enough after two second half goals for the visitors secured the points for the visitors.

Following an even start to the game, the visitors opened the scoring after Ryan McAidoo capitalised on a loose ball from a corner beating the helpless Harley Price.

Derby found an equaliser a few minutes later as Tola’s instinctive strike from inside the box beat City goalkeeper Oliver Whatmuff and tie the game at 1-1.

Reigan Heskey burst in behind the Derby backline in a quick attacking move to restore City’s lead, but the Rams hit back again as Owen Eames drove through the visiting defence before Richards finished off a devastating counter-attack midway through the first-half to make it 2-2.

Manchester City reclaimed their advantage for a third time, as Dan Batty calmly finished from the edge of the box.

Oguntolu drew Derby level yet again at 3-3 soon afterwards as Eames provided his second assist of the afternoon, pulling the ball back to the forward who finished into the empty net.

Heskey grabbed his second of the afternoon to put the visitors back in front inside the opening 10 minutes of the second half.

The visitors secured the three points after Kian Noble’s header looped into the far corner late on.

The two sides meet again in two weeks’ time at Moor Farm, this time in the Premier League Cup on Saturday 23rd November (12pm kick-off), before returning to league action with the short trip to Nottingham Forest on Saturday 30th November (11am kick-off).

Team News

Derby County Under-18s: Price (GK), I Gordon, K Gordon (Canoville 46), Tola, Banks, Osayande, Richards (Mintus 78), Agustien, Eames, Oguntolu, Green (Corry 60).

Substitutes Not Used: Rees (GK), Friars.

Post-Match Reaction

Despite the result, Under-18 Lead Coach Danny Maye was pleased with his side’s performance.

He said: “We’re really proud of our performance today against a full-strength City team - which shows that our performances this season have earned a high level of respect.”

Maye was delighted with the character his side showed to come from behind on three occasions and explained: “We looked in control in the moments we had the ball and when we had chances to jump, we did it well. Two of our goals came from excellent regains and counter attacks.”

Maye conceded his side didn’t defend well enough at times by adding: “It was a few moments that cost us today. Although we defended well in open play, the lads will be disappointed with their set pieces today.

“When we pressed well we caused them problems, but at times we just didn’t get our line right - we were too easy to play around.

“But, overall, it was a very pleasing performance against a strong City team, with positives to take and plenty to build on.”

Words: Will Stanier and Josh Smith.