Derby County’s Under-18s recorded an emphatic success on the road with a 3-0 victory at Sunderland on Saturday in Premier League - North.
Danny Maye’s side had tasted three successive defeats in all competitions going into the clash at the Academy of Light for the third meeting between the two teams this term but bounced back in style.
Derby took the lead with just three minutes played courtesy of Sean Corry and they held a 1-0 lead going into the break.
Striker Justin Oguntolu doubled Derby’s lead just after the hour mark and defender Rio Canoville put the Rams three to the good with just under 20 minutes remaining to put the game to bed.
The Under-18s will take in the final international break of the 2024/25 season before returning to action in Premier League - North against Leeds United at Moor Farm Training Ground in a fortnight’s time on Saturday 29th March (12pm kick-off).
Derby County Under-18s: Price (GK), Doyle (Connor 80), Stokes, Hodges, Canoville, Marriott, Corry, Smith, Green (Taylor 81), Oguntolu, Gill (Ward 76)
Substitutes Not Used: Rees (GK), Hardy (GK).
Post-Match Reaction
Under-18 Lead Coach Danny Maye said: “It was a pleasing performance for the Academy as a whole today.
“We had player involvement from the Under-15s up to the Under-18s. To see them all gel so well was impressive and shows the good work going on in the Youth Phase at the club.
“With a young team, we had to be more controlled with our pressing but picked excellent moments to go all in and win the ball. It was also great to see us defend resolutely when we needed to. Despite their age, lads battled and competed throughout the game. With the ball we were excellent today; we had control and dealt with the ball under pressure.
“The players showed courage to draw Sunderland on, then sped up when we had moments to exploit them. We created a lot of chances and deserved the win - and the clean sheet.”
