3/1 To Win
Justin Oguntolu’s first half brace helped Derby County’s Under-18s to a 4-1 win over Middlesbrough at Moor Farm Training Ground in their first outing of 2024.
Danny Maye’s side made it back-to-back league wins following on from their emphatic 6-0 win over Nottingham Forest just before Christmas.
The three points saw the young Rams move above Leeds United and into fourth spot in the Under-18 Premier League - North table.
Derby dominated the early proceedings as they had the lion’s share of possession and created numerous chances.
Against the run of play, the away side were inches from taking the lead through Addis Dore as his effort hit the post and rolled across the goalline, with Adisa Osayande on hand to clear.
Minutes later, Charlie Lennon opened the scoring for Middlesbrough with a thumping effort that flew past Harley Price in the Derby goal and into the bottom left-hand corner.
It didn’t take long for Derby to equalise, though. After a scramble in the penalty area, the ball fell kindly to Oguntolu for a cool slotted finish.
The Rams took the lead within a matter of minutes through Billy Gough, as he fired the ball into the bottom corner following a mistake from the Boro back line.
Shortly before the break, the Rams doubled their advantage. Oguntolu notched his second goal of the afternoon as Tristan Gill’s cross allowed set him up for a header at the back post to find the net.
The second 45 started as the first ended, with Derby being dominant in possession.
A delightful cut back led to Johnson Osong having time and space at the back post, but he could only force a point blank save from Cameron Simpson in the Boro goal.
The Rams scored their fourth of the game midway through the second half from a Cruz Allen corner, which picked out captain Luke Banks for a headed finish.
Just moments before the final whistle Derby were given awarded a penalty which Osong took, but he was denied by Simpson.
Derby will look to make it three league wins in succession in their next fixture when they travel to Manchester City, who defeated the Rams 3-0 earlier in the season, on Saturday 27th January (12:30pm kick-off).
Derby County Under-18s: Price (GK), Gordon, Gill, Eames (Tola 63), Banks (C), Osayande, Osong, McAndrew, Oguntolu (Agustien 73), Allen (Mintus 82), Gough.
Unused Substitutes: Canoville, Hardy.
Words: Joe Bird
