3/1 To Win
Derby County Under-18s secured qualification for the Fifth Round of the FA Youth Cup after a spirited 3-1 win over Sheffield United at the
York Community Stadium on Wednesday night.
Both teams came into the tie knowing that the winner would book a place against opponents Southampton Under-18s in the Fifth Round of the competition and Danny Maye’s Rams side booked their place in the Fourth Round and a clash against the Blades after an emphatic 4-1 win over Sunderland at Pride Park Stadium in December.
Seth Okyere gave United the lead, against the run of play, in the 29th minute as he nodded in a free kick. Cruz Allen levelled the game confidently from the penalty spot in the 39th minute and a sumptuous chip from Niall McAndrew completed the comeback from Derby in the 54th minute. Allen cemented the victory on the counter-attack deep into added time.
Key Moments
Allen had the first effort of the game after Derby won a free kick from 18 yards out in the first minute. Allen was on target as he drove a low shot underneath United’s defensive wall and forced a save from Blades goalkeeper Coby Hewitson.
Sheffield United looked for all the world to have opened the scoring as Blades striker Jevan Beattie latched onto a bouncing ball in the box and prodded the ball towards goal but was thwarted by some excellent last-ditch defending from Tristan Gill, who performed a fine goal-line clearance.
McAndrew’s driving run through the centre of the park saw him draw a foul from Siem Eyob-Abraha to win a free kick for the Rams in the 14th minute which was, again, taken by Allen. The Rams midfielder’s left-footed strike sailed towards the top corner but was denied by a diving save from Hewitson.
Individual endeavour from Isaac Gordon nearly created a chance for the Rams as the right-back drove into midfield from his defensive position and went beyond several United players to play a slide rule pass that appeared to send Justin Oguntolu in on goal, but Hewitson was quick off the mar to sweep the ball up.
The hosts took the lead through Okyere in the 29th minute after Beattie nodded a deep free kick back across the goal to find the head of the Blades midfielder who directed the ball into the back of the net.
Beattie almost struck again after the kick-off as the hosts won back possession quickly, but the striker’s effort from distance whistled just wide of the far post.
A combination of passes between Allen and Oguntolu saw Derby drive into the box and Oguntolu was judged to have been fouled to earn a penalty for the Rams. Allen was the one to step up and take it and he finished with confidence into the right side of the goal to firmly beat the goalkeeper.
Oguntolu struck the post with the first chance of the second half after he latched onto Allen’s free kick delivery from the right flank. The striker headed the ball back across the goal and forced a goal line scramble after he hit the post, with Gill looking to follow up but the ball was cleared away.
McAndrew’s classy finish gave Maye’s side the advantage for the first time in the game just before the hour mark after he chipped the ball over the Blades’ onrushing goalkeeper after Oguntolu played a neat, lobbed pass to put the attacker one-on-one.
Charles Ebuka Agbawodikeizu appeared to be in on goal with the chance to seal the tie in the 86th minute after he charged onto a lobbed pass from deep. Once in front of goal, though, he couldn’t find the target as Hewitson got off his line early to work in tandem with a Blades defender to unbalance the Rams striker.
Despite late pressure from the hosts, Derby held firm and hit the Blades on the break, with Agbawodikeizu squaring the ball into Allen, who slotted the ball underneath the opposition goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
Aaron Reid received a red card in the final knockings of the game after he felled Agbawodikeizu when he was clear on goal, with the final whistle sounding moments later to confirm Derby's excellent away win.
Team News
Derby County Under-18s: Price (GK), Gordon, Gill, Tola, Banks (C), Osayande, McAndrew, Allen, Oguntolu (Agbawodikeizu 66), Eames (Augustien 87), Osong (Richards 88).
Unused Substitutes: Hardy (GK), Canoville, K. Gordon, Mintus.
