In an effort to build on back to back wins, Justin Walker’s Derby County Under-18s make the short trip up the A50 on Saturday to face Stoke City in search of the Rams’ first away points of the season (11am kick-off).
Following victory last weekend, Walker’s side leapfrogged the Potters’ into 6th spot in the Premier League - North, who also sit on six points from a possible 15. The home side will be hoping to bounce back from a narrow 3-2 defeat to West Brom.
A Finley Thorndike brace either side of a Jacob Wakeling goal helped put West Brom 3-0 up within 20 minutes. Stoke quickly fought back with two goals in as many minutes from Adam Porter and Andre Goderinne but were unable to push for an equaliser in an evenly balanced game.
In contrast, the Rams are on the back of two big victories, the first a powerful 4-1 victory over Middlesbrough to bring up the first points of the season. The second, an assertive 5-1 victory at home to Manchester United which keeps momentum, despite the two-week break between fixtures.
Walker was quick to turn his attention to the Stoke game following the victory over Manchester United, stating: “First, we will enjoy the weekend - as I always do after a win – and then come back on Monday and reflect on the game and have another hard week’s training in preparation for that game.”
Derby have managed to get the better of Stoke in the last two meetings between the sides, winning 3-2 in the last visit courtesy of a second half brace from Morgan Whittaker, following a Connor Dixon opener. The other, at Moor Farm, finishing 2-0 thanks to Lee Buchanan and Tyree Wilson getting on the scoresheet.
Walker will be hoping his side add to the run of two successive wins and pick up their first away points of the season.
Words by: Luke Thrower
