3/1 To Win
Derby County Under-18s were narrowly defeated 3-2 by Manchester United in the Under-18 Premier League - North at Moor Farm Training Centre on Saturday afternoon.
Danny Maye’s side hosted the league leaders with the intention of getting back to winning ways following a midweek defeat to West Ham in the Premier League Cup Semi-Finals.
The Rams took the lead after just six minutes, as Demiane Agustien hit the crossbar from a set piece and, following a scramble inside the penalty area, the ball fell to Daniel Hodges whose shot into the top right corner.
The visitors replied in the ninth minute as Jimmy Thwaites’ cross from a free kick found Danny Armer in the area to equalise with a header.
Derby went in front again on the 28th minute in a blistering counter attack as Justin Oguntolu showed excellent composure to slot the ball past William Murdock in the United net, following a pinpoint through ball by Israel Green.
The Rams were forced into an early substitution as Marley Mintus picked up an injury and had to be replaced by Charlie Smith.
United were awarded a penalty just after the hour for a foul on substitute Amir Ibragimov, but Harley Price’s heroic save from Thwaites’ penalty kept the Rams in front.
United equalised moments later via a flicked header by Gabe Biancheri after a lengthy spell of possession.
Biancheri was involved again as he was fouled inside the penalty area to give Manchester United another chance to from the spot, which was taken by James Scanlon to give the away side the lead.
The Under-18s will visit the Academy of Light to face Sunderland in league action in their next outing on Saturday 15th March (12:30pm kick-off).
Derby County Under 18s: Price (GK), Connell-Webster (Marriott 69), Gill, Tola, Osayande (C), Canoville, Hodges, Agustien, Oguntolu, Mintus (Smith 33), Green.
Substitutes Not Used: Doyle, Rees (GK), Corry.
Post-Match Reaction
Despite the loss, Under-18 Lead Coach Danny Maye was pleased with how his team performed.
He said: “It was a really good performance. We were really pleased to play such a young group against one of the best teams in the country.
“For large parts of the game we played some excellent football and pressed with controlled aggression.”
Maye believed that his side’s first and second half performance weren’t consistent in quality.
“I thought the first half in particular was one of our best performances of the season,” he said.
“In the second half we tired a little, and started to make some unforced errors. It was shame as I felt the performance deserved more. However, it was really pleasing to see the lads doing everything they could to win the game right up until the end.”
Words: Will Stanier
