Derby County’s Under 18s were involved a six-goal thriller against Leicester City on Saturday morning, as Darren Wassall’s youngsters picked up their first point of the 2012-13 season.
After suffering a disappointing 3-1 home defeat against Leeds United last weekend, Academy Manager Wassall demanded a vastly improved performance from his side in their first away game of their Professional Development League 2 – North season.
It looked as if it was going to a frustrating afternoon early on after Derby found themselves 2-0 down inside the opening ten minutes, but left-back Rhys Sharpe pulled a goal back before the break from the penalty spot to half the deficit.
The Rams dominated the start of the second half and were deservedly level when Kurt Raven drove home from close range, and the turnaround was complete when Ayrton Wassall converted from close range after Niall Dawkins had knocked Kwame Thomas’s cross into his path.
But, late on, Leicester fought back to make it 3-3 and level the scores and deny Derby all three points.
Speaking afterwards, Wassall praised the attitude of his side and said: “We called for a performance and a response after the Leeds game, and we certainly got it although it was frustrating that we couldn’t hold
out late on.
“The players deserved to win for the way they recovered from being 2-0 down, despite starting the game well as bizarre as that sounds.
“In the end it was cruel that we didn’t win the game, but if we continue to let in sloppy goals we will find it tough so that’s something we need to cut out as soon as we can.”
The Under 18s are back in action at Moor Farm next weekend with a home game against Sheffield Wednesday (11am KO).