Young Rams Advance Through To UEFA Youth League Play-Offs

Derby County Under-19s secured their place in the UEFA Youth League Play-Offs as they beat Icelandic side IA Akranes 6-2 on aggregate at Pride Park Stadium.

It ended 4-1 to the Rams on the night in a convincing victory which sees them set up a Play-Off tie against a team who finished second in the UEFA Champions League pathway.

Irish midfielder Jason Knight bagged a first-half brace, whilst Jack Stretton also added his name to the scoresheet before the break.

Archie Brown made it 6-1 to the Rams on aggregate on the hour mark as he headed home at the back post, however, Akranes did pull a goal back from the penalty spot through Sigurdur Hrannar Thorsteinsson.

It was a scintillating first half from the Young Rams as they dominated from start to finish and were rewarded for their clinical edge.

However, they were dealt an early blow as midfielder Max Bird had to be taken off with concussion after the ball smacked him in the face in the opening five minutes.

The Young Rams did not let that deter them and they set about taking the lead and taking control of the tie.

After Jordan Brown forced a good save from IA Akranes goalkeeper on 10 minutes, midfielder Knight gave the Young Rams the lead two minutes later.

Following a scramble in the penalty area, the ball broke to the Irishman who slotted home to give Derby the early advantage.

That goal only spurred the Rams on as they went in search of more to make the game comfortable.

On 17 minutes, Stretton displayed an unbelievable touch to take the ball out the air but his effort flew over, however, he would get his goal two minutes later.

Winger Tyree Wilson laid the ball into the path of the striker and he made no mistake from 12 yards as he fired the Rams into a two-goal lead.

The Rams had full control of the encounter and after chances followed from Stretton again and substitute Osazee Aghatiste, they would eventually make it 3-0 on the night and 5-1 on aggregate before the half time interval.

Again it was Wilson who was the provider as he cut the ball back to Irish midfielder Knight who controlled his finish into the bottom corner to give the Rams a healthy lead at the break.

It was much of the same in the second half as the Rams dominated possession and looked threatening every time they went forward.

The Young Rams’ fourth goal came on the hour mark as a cross into the box found the head of Archie Brown and he headed past the goalkeeper to put his side four goals ahead on the night.

With the game seemingly out of sight, IA Akranes managed to pull a goal back from the penalty spot.

Despite Rams goalkeeper Bradley Foster-Theniger diving the right way, Thorsteinsson’s effort had too much power on his strike to reduce the arrears.

It was a comfortable ending for the Rams who saw out the game professionally and advanced through to the UEFA Youth League Play-Offs.

They will find out their opponents on Monday 16^th December when the draw is made.

Derby County: Foster-Theniger, Ebsosele, J.Brown, Thompson (Rogers 65’), Minkley, Cashin, Wilson, Bird (Aghatiste 7’, Bardell 75’), Stretton, Knight (Cybulski 64’), A.Brown (Charles 75’).