An emphatic 3-0 victory over Sunderland at the Academy of Light on Saturday saw Derby County’s Under-18s maintain their unbeaten start to the 2017/18 season.
Fuseine Rashid, Jayden Mitchell-Lawson and Morgan Whittaker all found the back of the net to record a second successive win and extend the Rams’ unbeaten start to three after facing Liverpool (1-1), Everton (3-1) and Sunderland (3-0) respectively.
In a game largely dominated by Justin Walker’s and Rory Delap’s side, Rashid opened the scoring after just 14 minutes of play when he capitalised on a loose ball in the box to convert from very close-range.
One ahead at half-time, next on the scoresheet, almost immediately after interval, was Mitchell-Lawson who epitomised impressive pressing play when he coolly found the back of the net from inside the box with an accurate bottom corner finish.
Just before full time, the Rams then made it three after a set-piece delivered by Max Bird was guided in to the back of the net by Morgan Whittaker.
What’s To Come...
With the arrival of the first international break of the season, Walker’s and Delap’s side will have to wait until Saturday 9th September for their next taste of competitive league action against Manchester United at the Training Centre in partnership with the University of Derby.
To keep the side ticking over, though, the Rams will face Mansfield Town on Wednesday 30th August in a friendly fixture on home turf.
In terms of league standing, after the impressive performance and result on Saturday, the Rams have moved one place up the table to occupy second, behind only Manchester City by two points.
Next Five…
Derby County U18s Vs Mansfield Town U18s (Friendly) – Wednesday 30th August (kick-off: 1pm)
Derby County U18s Vs Manchester United U18s – Saturday 9th September (kick-off: 12pm)
Blackburn Rovers U18s Vs Derby County U18s – Saturday 23rd September (kick-off: 12:30pm)
Derby County U18s Vs Middlesbrough U18s – Saturday 30th September (kick-off: 1pm)
West Bromwich Albion U18s Vs Derby County U18s – Saturday 14th October (kick-off: 11am)
Images by Harry Marshall
