3/1 To Win
Derby County Under-18s' Premier League Cup campaign ended at the Semi-Final stage after a 3-1 defeat by West Ham United at Moor Farm Training Centre on Wednesday afternoon.
After conceding two goals in quick succession, Charles Ebuka Agbawodikeizu’s first-time finish got the Rams back into the tie, but a third West Ham goal in the 75th minute meant the Hammers held on to claim a place in the Final.
The first chance of the game came Derby’s way, as Owen Eames broke forward and saw his shot pushed into the path of Demiane Agustien, whose effort cannoned up off the bar.
West Ham took the lead through Joshua Ajala in the 16th minute and doubled their advantage a minute later through Joshua Landers.
Agbawodikeizu’s first time finish on the turn got Derby back into the game in the 31st minute, and he looked set to equalise before half-time but for an excellent stop by Olanrewaju Awesu in the West Ham net.
West Ham restored their two-goal advantage with 15 minutes to go as Ajala grabbed his second of the afternoon.
Derby pushed for a route back into the game and Tom Marriott came closest, coming up with a brilliant long-range strike that rattled the crossbar.
The Rams battled untilthe final whistle but ultimately their fine Premier League Cup run ended at the semi-final stage.
It’s another quick turnaround for Danny Maye’s side, as they return to league action to face Manchester United at Moor Farm on Saturday (12pm kick-off).
Team News
Derby County Under-18s: Price (GK), Marriott, I Gordon, Tola (Mintus 82), Canoville, Osayande (C), Allen (Hodges 89), Agustien, Agbawodikeizu (Ward 76), Eames, Oguntolu.
Substitutes Not Used: Rees (GK), Connell-Webster.
Post Match Reaction
Despite the result, Under-18 Lead Coach Danny Maye was pleased with the performance he got from his players after last Saturday's 2-1 defeat against Blackburn Rovers in the league.
He said: “We definitely got a reaction from the players.
“Even at 3-1 down, with three minutes to go, we were still throwing everything at them and the lads were doing everything they could.”
Maye was impressed with his side's reaction to conceding two goals in quick succession early on and said: “We looked quite nervy in the opening 20 minutes and after conceding really poor goals, the lads could have collapsed. But they didn’t - they got themselves back in it.”
On the upcoming league game against Manchester United on Saturday, Maye said: “These are the games we want to be involved in - you want to play against the best teams in the country because that’s where you find out the most about the lads.
“It’s a chance to really pick up some momentum and close the gap on them above us.”
Words: Will Stanier
