Long Eaton United
Derby County Under-18s completed their 2025/26 fixture schedule with a 4-3 win over Liverpool in Premier League – North at Grange Park.
Remi Harvey was instrumental in giving the Young Rams an early lead in Long Eaton. He bagged a goal after eight minutes and struck once more as his shot forced Prince Kobe Cisse into an own goal in the 16th minute.
Israel Green’s penalty in added time of the first half restored the advantage after Lamore Forrester had reduced the deficit ten minutes earlier.
A second-half double from Liverpool’s captain Joe Upton, striking first in the 49th minute before converting from the penalty spot 15 minutes later. But James Ward came onto the field to secure the victory for Bradley Johnson’s side, as he headed in from a corner kick in the 80th minute.
Harvey took advantage of a fast start for the Young Rams, as he tucked away from close range in the penalty area after just eight minutes in Long Eaton.
Derby came close to doubling their advantage with their next attack as Harvey had a shot blocked before George Stokes’ pass found Zayne Blake inside the box for another effort that was thwarted by the defence.
Another well-constructed move saw Derby claim a deserved second goal just five minutes later, as link-up play between Blake, Harvey and captain Charlie Smith opened up the defence.
A give-and-go between Smith and Harvey allowed the goalscorer to find the net once more as he struck a bouncing ball into the ground - it deflected off Liverpool defender Cisse’s leg and diverted into the goal to make it 2-0.
Amongst multiple chances to add a third, the best came when Sean Corry swung in a low cross to a lurking Israel Green in the 33rd minute. The striker’s outstretched leg poked the ball wide at close range, with Liverpool goalkeeper Matthew Wright scrambling to ground.
The visitors reduced the deficit minutes later though, as an individual effort from Forrester saw him dribble beyond three defenders before drilling a left-footed effort into the bottom right corner from 20 yards out.
Dantel Hodges, Green and Smith all had shots go wide in quick succession as Derby upped the ante to restore their two-goal cushion before the break.
That chance came when Green was felled inside the box to win a penalty in added time before the break, and he dispatched confidently from 12 yards.
Upton narrowed the scoring when he took advantage of Hayden Holmes’ pass into the penalty area to convert from close range and make it 3-2 after 49 minutes.
Smith nearly hit back swiftly when a ball down the left flank saw him strike just wide across goal from a narrow angle.
Upton levelled the match for the first time when he struck once again, finishing off a penalty won in the 74th minute.
Substitute Ward came close to regaining the Rams’ lead when he scrambled to meet a low cross on the goal line, but saw his effort blocked behind in the 79th minute.
He got his goal with the resulting corner kick, though, as he rose to steer the ball into the back of the net after it was flicked on six yards out.
Parity was miraculously not restored shortly after the goal when a low cross from Liverpool full-back Oliver O’Connor was rebounded onto the crossbar and ricocheted off the goal line.
Derby suffered another late scare with defenders putting their bodies on the line to see an effort from close range blocked away in added time.
Liverpool were then reduced to ten men in the last knockings of the contest after Cisse received a second yellow card – with the whistle blowing shortly after to see Derby claim three points.
Derby County Under-18s: Dzialuk (GK), Taylor, Stokes (Mintus 63), Friars, Connor, Hodges (Thomas 63), Corry, Harvey (Griffiths 85), Green, Smith (C), Blake (Ward 63).
Substitutes: O’Neill (GK).
