3/1 To Win
Derby County Under-18s face Stoke City at home this Saturday as they look to go six games unbeaten in all competitions, kick-off 11am.
In their last outing Justin Walker’s side recorded a victory on the opening game of their Under-18 Premier League Cup campaign.
A brace from Jack Stretton added to by goals from Morgan Whittaker and Jason Knight on the trip to the sunny South coast were enough to secure a 4-1 against Brighton and Hove Albion.
It was however the home side that opened the day’s scoring as Jack Spong found himself free in the Derby penalty area before firing a deflected shot past Sam French to give Brighton a goal lead going into half time.
Walker felt his side were off the pace during the first-half, explaining to dcfc.co.uk at full time: “I think we were disappointing first-half, I was disappointed with our attitude because we’ve been magnificent in recent weeks.”
This was put right in the second-half as the Rams flew out of the traps and within 20 minutes had put themselves a goal in front.
Stretton began the turnaround as, within the space of seven minutes, he netted two powerful finishes which gave the defenders nor goalkeeper a chance of keeping them out.
To add to Stretton’s strikes Whittaker added the third with a cool finish and Knight powered in the fourth a minute from time to complete the route.
Last time out Saturday’s opponents, Stoke, lost 4-2 against Liverpool in their first game in this season’s Under-18 Premier League Cup.
After six games in the Premier League – North the Potters currently occupy seventh position having claimed six points, with Derby three places higher in fourth.
Kick-off on Saturday is at 11am and will take place at the Training Centre in Partnership with the University of Derby.
Words: Andrew Haines
