Derby County Under-18s will be looking to extend their home winning streak when they host Middlesbrough on Saturday.
Justin Walker’s side earned a 2-1 victory in their last home match at the Training Centre in partnership with the University of Derby, which they followed up with a well earned 2-2 draw away at Manchester City a fortnight ago.
The Rams took the lead at City through Morgan Whittaker, who calmly tucked away Festy Ebosele’s cross from the right side.
City fought back and soon found themselves ahead, following two quick-fire goals in the second half from Keke Simmonds.
In between Simmonds’ goals, their goalkeeper, Louie Moulden, was sent off after the referee adjudged to have handled the ball outside of the penalty area.
Jordan Brown levelled the match late on to earn Derby a deserved point with his superb strike from Callum Minkley’s delivery nestling into the top corner.
A draw against City means that Derby currently sit in seventh place in the Premier League – North table, after a win, two draws and a defeat from their opening four league matches.
Saturday’s opponents, Middlesbrough, will go into this weekend’s clash off the back of a 3-1 victory over Manchester United in their last match.
The Boro are currently fifth in the league table, a point ahead of Derby, despite playing one less match than The Rams.
Goals are to be expected when these two go toe-to-toe, with both of their meetings last season ending in six-goal thrillers. Last September, the two sides drew 3-3 at the Training Centre in partnership with the University of Derby, before The Rams won 4-2 at Rockliffe Park Training Complex in February.
Words: Jonty Colman
