Rory Delap praised his and Justin Walker’s side for their work rate and determination after their battling 4-2 victory against Middlesbrough in the Premier League – North.
A stunning first-half performance from Derby County’s Under-18s secured victory for the Rams at Boro’s Rockliffe Park Training Complex.
The visitors took the lead early on through Ayomide Jibodu who tapped in from close range after a cross was palmed into his path by the goalkeeper.
Having been pegged back by a header from Middlesbrough’s Stephen Wearne, Jack Haywood was on hand to fire Derby back in front with a delightfully struck shot.
An expeditious pair of headed goals from Tyreece Robinson and Louie Sibley provided a clear margin between the two sides.
The Teesiders managed to claw one back through Liam Cooke in the second half but couldn’t find a way back into the game and the tie ended 4-2.
After the game, Delap told dcfc.co.uk: “I thought first half the lads played really well both in and out of possession and they outworked Middlesbrough.
“We knew they’d give a reaction in the second half, I know Mark (Tinkler, Middlesbrough Under-18’s manager), we’ve played against his teams quite a bit and he wouldn’t have been happy with that first half, and we saw that in the second.
“It was good to see the lads grind away and it wasn’t pretty at times second half but we managed to do enough first half to see the game out."
Having struggled for form just after the turn of the year and suffering four straight defeats in league and cup, the tides appear to be turning having secured back-to-back victories.
After the 3-2 victory over Blackburn Rovers and picking up three points against Middlesbrough, Delap feels his and Walker’s side have rediscovered their impressive form.
“It was the worst run we’ve had this season, after Christmas,” he discussed. “The break took a little bit of a toll on that but we said the results aren’t the be all and end all.
“That builds performance and confidence in itself and when you’re winning, the momentum of that can produce some really good results and performances, and in the first half they were exceptional today.
“It was a young team today, because the Under-23s played a young squad against Middlesbrough last night but I thought the Under-16s that came in did really well.”
Words by Andrew Haines
