Derby County’s battling Under-18s earnt a late point against Middlesbrough in a rollercoaster match at the Training Centre in partnership with the University of Derby, which ended 3-3.
Jack Stretton added to his strike in Derby’s first match of the season against Liverpool by opening the scoring with a composed finish beyond Boro stopper Zac Hemming into the bottom corner. He was the quickest to react to a loose ball in the box – a theme present with all of the Rams’ goals.
The match was levelled for the first time midway through the first half after good work from Boro’s dangerous Stephen Walker, who turned well and forced a great save from Matt Yates in the Derby goal, but nothing could be done to stop Tyrone O’Neill from tapping the rebound into the empty net to equalise.
After a combative first half, the second 45 minutes burst into life inside the next 20 minutes, with Justin Walker's and Rory Delap’s side reclaiming the lead after clever work in the middle of the park put Jayden Mitchell-Lawson in space on the left.
A heavy touch allowed Hemming to nearly claim the ball but he crucially spilt it - allowing Jordan Mills to blast the ball into a vacant net.
Seven minutes later and a two-goal flurry saw the game turned on its head as the Teesiders took the lead.
Substitute Bilal Brahimi raced clear for Boro and place his shot beyond Yates to, once again, make things all square, before Walker again found space to scramble his shot over the line despite some brave reactive defending.
In a match that truly could have gone either way throughout, Derby kept pressing for a welcomed equaliser and as the game began to reach the dying embers, the pressure paid off.
Jack Haywood struck a vicious free-kick on the edge of the box that could only be parried by Hemming and Jason Knight was alert and ready to steer home the rebound.
Both sides had chances to take the three points but can reflect on a hard day’s work with the spoils justifiably shared.
What's To Come...
Next up for the Rams is a trip to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday 14th October.
The Baggies currently lay in eighth position compared to Derby’s lofty third, but in such a tight division, a mere two points separate the two sides.
West Brom will be looking to bounce back from their 2-0 defeat away to Stoke City last time out.
The Next Five...
West Bromwich Albion U18s Vs Derby County U18s - Saturday 14th October (kick-off: 11am)
Stoke City U18s Vs Derby County U18s - Saturday 21st October (kick-off: 11am)
Derby County U18s Vs West Bromwich Albion U18s – Saturday 4th November (kick-off: 11am)
Derby County U18s Vs Wolverhampton Wanderers U18s – Saturday 18th November (kick-off: 11am)
Newcastle United U18s Vs Derby County U18s – Saturday 25th November (kick-off: 12pm)
Words: Jools Jordan-Probert
Images: Harry Marshall
