Bristol Street Motors Trophy Post-Match Verdict: 'Tonight Belongs To The Academy' - Hamshaw - Blog

First Team Coach Matt Hamshaw believes it was 'a night for the Academy' as Derby County beat Wolves' Under-21s 4-1 in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy on Wednesday night.

Six young players made their first-team debuts in the victory whilst three others made their first starts for the club as Paul Warne's side finished top of Northern Section - Group G and qualified for the knockout stages.

Striker James Collins scored a hat-trick while youngster came off the bench to score on his senior debut for the Rams.

Speaking to RamsTV after the game, Hamshaw reflected on a great win and an all round great night for the Academy.

On the game...

It was a really good opportunity for the younger players and some of the lads that haven't had the minutes they need in the league campaign so far. It was a really pleasing night, certainly in the second half when we put a lot of Academy graduates on. It was nice to see them out there and enjoying themselves.

On James Collins' hat-trick...

He took his goals really well. His third goal was excellently taken and his header wasn't bad either. But his third goal really impressed us because we've been doing quite a lot of work on that so it was nice to see it go in.

On Tony Weston's goal...

He did well. I thought all the youngsters did well. He's got loads of energy, he runs around and wants to get in the box and he took his goal really well. He obviously enjoyed it, his celebration was excellent. It was a really nice moment for him and his family.

On getting the youngsters involved...

We'd kind of planned it last week. It's a competition we want to do well in and tonight was important that we got the win. It was a really pleasing night, I'm really pleased for the Academy. It was good that Collo got his goals but I think tonight probably belongs to the Academy.

On the Academy...

They've had a difficult time. The club has lost a lot of players in the last few years but the fact we've turned it around is down to the hard work that all the people in the Academy too. The work they do every day to improve the young lads, we probably didn't expect to see the turnaround as quickly as it possibly has. The fact that we have speaks volumes of them as staff. We want to give young players opportunities, we have done all of our careers. To see them running around, it's really pleasing and focus for them now turns to the FA Youth Cup at Mansfield on Friday night.