3/1 To Win
Derby County's Under-19s impressed on their UEFA Youth League debut with an thoroughly convincing 2-0 win away at Belarusian side FC Minsk.
Morgan Whittaker scored in each half to take his tally for the season to six from seven games in all competitions and secure a win that Derby's dominance throughout deserved.
Two away goals have given Justin Walker's side a great platform from which to build when the second leg kicks off at Loughborough University Stadium on Tuesday 22nd October.
Despite the unfamiliar artificial surface, Derby controlled the game from the first whistle.
Whittaker had the first chance when his effort was cleared off the line after he went around Denis Minkevich in the FC Minsk goal.
Derby worked hard to break down a deep defensive line and they got their reward midway through the first half when the referee spotted a handball inside the box after a corner.
The Rams No.7 slotted the penalty into the corner and along with Louie Sibley, he continued to run the game.
Sibley shot just wide after 32 minutes and FC Minsk struggled to contain his direct running with the ball in the final third.
Archie Brown came close to doubling the lead before the break, but Minkevich made a smart stop at his near post.
The home side's only chances came through a couple of ambitious long-range efforts at the start of the second half, while Sibley went close again on 56 minutes.
Derby's quality dipped at moments during the second period but they remained strong at the back and well clear of danger as FC Minsk continued to sit deep.
Whittaker went close again on 84 minutes with another effort that was cleared off the line, but he didn't have to wait long to complete his brace.
Sibley, who was excellent all afternoon, broke forward and slid an inch-perfect pass through for Whittaker to bag his 30th goal in 44 games since the start of last season.
The Rams comfortably saw out the final few minutes to seal a memorable win for everybody associated with the Academy in their first ever UEFA Youth League game.
FC Minsk: Minkevich; Frolov (Nikiporenok, 90') Yakushevich, Kasarab, Gurban (C); Melnik, Seleznev, Kondratovich; Gorbach (Plyut, 86'), Penchuk (Zhukov, 76'), Zherdev.
Substitutes not used: Perov, Shavel, Kanash, Vorobyev.
Derby County: Foster-Theniger; McDonald, Cashin, Minkley (C), J. Brown; Sibley, Thompson, Dixon; Whittaker, Cybulski (Stretton, 74'), A. Brown (Wilson, 83).
Substitutes not used: Halwax, Charles, Ebosele, Aghatise, Solomon.
