3/1 To Win
Derby County Under-18s came from behind to return to winning ways in the Premier League – North against a strong Everton outfit at Moor Farm Training Centre.
Tom Cannon scored the first goal of the game for the Toffees, but two goals in the first half via an Archie Brown penalty and a Max Bardell header saw the Rams go into the break ahead.
The young Rams then extended the lead with two goals in the second half as Jack Stretton found himself in the right place at the right time to poke home from close range and a fine individual goal from Tyree Wilson sealed the victory.
It was the away side who broke the deadlock – despite Derby making the better start in the match – as Cannon slotted the ball past Harry Halwax into the bottom left corner.
The visitors’ lead, though, didn’t last long as Jack Rogers was tripped in the penalty area as he looked to stride towards goal. Fresh from his impressive performance in the UEFA Youth League victory over Borussia Dortmund, Brown stepped up to take the penalty and sent Everton keeper Zak Leban the wrong way.
Derby continued to press and nearly took the lead shortly after. Liam Thompson’s speculative effort from outside the box looked set to fly into the top corner but was just kept out by the flying Leban.
There was no let up from the home side, as minutes later Jaden Charles sent an inviting free kick across the face of goal, which Bardell was able to get to first and head into the near post.
The second half started in similar fashion to how the majority of the first had played out: this time it was Stretton who broke free in behind the Toffees’ defence but watched his shot on goal get denied once more.
The home side soon gained the two-goal advantage they had been chasing, as Everton were unable to clear their lines from an ever-threatening Charles set piece. Stretton was quickest to the ball amongst the scramble to knock the ball home.
The Rams were put out of sight as Tyree Wilson found space in a crowd of Everton defenders outside the box and drilled a left footed effort into the bottom right corner past Leban.
Wilson had a chance to get his second in what would prove to be the last chance of the game, but his effort from a similar position to where his goal came from, struck against the post.
Justin Walker’s side will now look to build on their league form as they face Manchester United away from home in their next meeting in the Premier League - North.
Words by Luke Bissett
