Honours were even at the Training Centre after Alex Babos’ emphatic effort found the back of the net - sealing a share of points with Stoke City on the opening day of the season.

Honours were even at the Training Centre after Alex Babos’ emphatic effort found the back of the net - sealing a share of points with Stoke City on the opening day of the season.

The first game of the Barclay’s Under 18 Premier League – North posed a difficult challenge for Justin Walker’s side as they encountered a very physical Stoke side.

The game’s action began right from the off as a loose ball was cleared off the Rams’ line, just two minutes into the encounter.


As the first half progressed, Derby began to take control of possession with a number of chances consequently being created.

Quick feet and good individual skill allowed Cameron Cresswell, the Under 16s forward, two attempts in front of goal.

Despite their control, though, the Potters took the lead after 21 minutes when a well-executed corner met the head of a Stoke City player.

The Rams reacted well to conceding, though, and gained overall control of their opponents through the utilisation of a dangerous counter attack.

As the Second half began, Derby resumed where they left off, creating chance after chance, until Alex Babos finally converted with his audacious 25-yard effort convincingly finding the back of the net just before the hour mark.

It was following the Rams equaliser that the game began to open up – with Stoke creating a succession of chances - most notably in the 60th minute when the shot of Stoke City midfielder, Daniel Jarvis, met the secure arms of Josh Barnes.

With just nine minutes on the clock – Rams impact sub and first year scholar, Jahvan Davidson-Miller, was unlucky not to achieve three points for the Rams when a close range shot was tipped over the bar.

The wideman provided another chance just minutes later, supplying his fellow team-mates with a dangerous, low driven ball. However it was not to be as the score line remained 1-1 after the full time whistle blew.

With Derby’s Under 18s securing their first point of the 2015/16 campaign, Justin Walker and Rory Delap’s side now look ahead to their away fixture against Manchester United on Friday night.

Derby County U18s: Barnes (GK), Stabana, Macdonald, Gordon, Bateman (Goode, 67’), Cover, Carvell, Edwards (Holmes, 79’), Mellors (Davidson-Miller, 62’), Babos, Cresswell

Substitutes not used: Yates

Stoke City U18s: Marques (GK), Edwards, Wills, Sadiki, Read, Williams, Jarvis, Dunwoody, Shepherd, Brierly, Smith

Substitutes not used: Yao, Dyche, Twyford, Wara

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