3/1 To Win
Derby County Under-18s will be aiming for their first away win of the season when they face Newcastle United on Saturday.
Justin Walker’s side have so far had two away matches in the Premier League – North, both of which have seen them travel to Manchester.
They opened their league campaign with a trip to the Aon Training Complex last month, where goals from Alex Matthews and two second half penalties from Morgan Whittaker earned the Rams a 3-3 draw against Manchester United.
Three weeks ago, Derby embarked on their second trip to the North West, where a last-minute equaliser from Jordan Brown forced Manchester City to a 2-2 draw at the City Football Academy.
Derby will go into this weekend’s clash with Newcastle at Darsley Park off the back of a 3-2 victory over Middlesbrough at the Training Centre in partnership with the University of Derby.
The Rams opened the scoring in the fifth minute, with Jack Stretton netting from close range after Connor Dixon’s header from Festy Ebosele’s cross was saved by the Boro goalkeeper, Solomon Bryn.
Stretton doubled his tally for the afternoon and the hosts’ lead five minutes later, again being gifted with a close range rebound when Jason Knight’s header from Whittaker’s corner was blocked.
Middlesbrough had clawed back the two-goal deficit shortly after half time, with Gabby McGill and second-half substitute Layton Watts both scoring either side of the interval.
Derby secured the win in the 87th minute when Knight finished off a well-worked passing move between himself and Dixon.
Walker’s team are currently fifth in the Premier League – North standings, two points ahead of Newcastle in seventh.
There was late drama when these two sides last faced each other at Darsley Park in November, where goals in the last half hour from Knight and an own goal from Max Allen sealed a 2-2 draw for Derby.
Words: Jonty Colman
