3/1 To Win
Derby County Under-18s succumbed to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Stoke City Under-18s at Clayton Wood Training Centre on Saturday afternoon.
An 83rd minute strike from Patrick Jarrett was enough for the home side to
secure all three points against Justin Walker's team.
On the back of two successive victories against Middlesbrough and Manchester United, the Rams never quite got going against the Potters in a tight game that lacked many clear cut chances.
Stoke started with intent. Andre Godrinne's free header just missing the target 13 minutes into the game. The Stoke number nine's early chance foreshadowing the problems he'd cause the Rams throughout the game.
Derby started to gain a foothold in the match. Eno Nto's shot from 20 yards drifting just wide of the post, following a tidy move in the centre of the field.
However, Stoke began to crank up the heat just before half time. Jarrett warmed the hands of Bradley Foster-theniger, as the 'keeper bat away a shot from a one-on-one.
It was more of the same after half time. Foster-theniger produced two quality saves to deny Stoke once again. The first, a chance for Godrinne that was met well by the Derby 'keeper to put it out for a corner. The second from Godrinne again, as the forward was denied yet again by Derby's number 1.
Derby then created a chance of their own. Archie Brown's driven cross was met by Stretton at the near post, but Paul Cooper got his hands to the ball to deny the Derby striker.
Into the last ten minutes, the Rams trailed. Jarrett's finish was enough to put Stoke ahead and left the Rams chasing the game.
What's to come...
The Under-18s have a break from the league as they face Reading away in the Premier
League Cup, a competition that Derby managed to reach the semi-finals in
last season.
The Royals host the Rams on the back of a 2-1 loss to Chelsea, and have only won one match of their opening six in the league.
