Derby County's Under-18s returned to winning ways in Premier League – North, as they defeated Newcastle United 3-1 on Saturday afternoon.
A first-half penalty and a second-half brace from frontman Morgan Whittaker bagged the striker a hat-trick and secure three points for the Rams.
With the sun poking through the Derbyshire clouds the Under-18s also shone in the early stages as they began on the front foot.
Just two minutes in the Rams were almost a goal ahead, Whittaker’s impressive work down the right wing saw the ball turned into the box where a goal mouth scramble resulted in a Newcastle free-kick to keep the game level.
Newcastle then had their chance of a reply as Thomas Allen drove down the right-hand side to find Deese Kasinga-Madia on the edge of the area with a drilled cross, however he screwed his effort high and wide.
Derby quickly had themselves back with the attacking intent after the Magpies’ effort at goal. Yoann Greco was inches away from opening the scoring as he met a Jayden Mitchell-Lawson cross to head beyond the stranded goalkeeper however a defender managed to clear off the line.
Midway through the half the Rams were rewarded for their pressure, Whittaker was hauled down just inside the area by Oliver Walters and the referee said penalty.
Whittaker stepped up and coolly delivered by sending Otto Huuhtanen the wrong way to open up the scoring.
Derby continued to pile the pressure on the Newcastle defence however the score remained unchanged at half time.
Ten minutes after the restart it was two, left winger, Mitchell-Lawson, provided a pinpoint ball for Whittaker in the centre of the area and his cushioned header added his and the Rams’ second of the game.
Minutes later the Under-18s were three goals up. The pair who had teamed up for the second goal did so again for the third. Mitchell-Lawson’s weighted through ball found Whittaker who provided a neat touch before applying the finish beyond the Newcastle stopper.
With the game all but sewn up, neither side came close to another goal until 20 minutes from time when the Magpies got one back.
The Under-18s failed to clear their lines from a corner and Sam Joyce grabbed Newcastle’s opener, slamming the ball beyond Matthew Yates.
In the final minutes Yates was on hand to provide a vital stop with Elias Sorensen bearing down on his goal one-on-one, the ‘keeper stood strong and was able keep out Sorensen’s powerful strike for the game to finish 3-1 to Derby.
What’s To Come…
Next up the Rams face Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Sir Jack Hayward Training Ground on Tuesday afternoon, kick-off 12pm.
Wolves picked up a 2-0 victory in their last outing away against Newcastle United.
When the two sides last met the game finished an emphatic 5-5 thriller with a Jason Knight brace and further goals from Whittaker, Mitchell-Lawson and Adam Davie the difference that day.
The Final Two…
Wolverhampton Wanderers U18s Vs Derby County U18s- Tuesday 17th April 2018 (kick-off: 12pm)
Manchester City EDS Vs Derby County U18s- Saturday 21st April (kick-off: 12pm)
Words: Andrew Haines
