A Niall McAndrew hat-trick added to a brilliant team performance as Derby County’s Under-18s beat Sunderland 6-1 at Moor Farm Training Ground on Saturday.
Early goals from a trialist, McAndrew and Adisa Osayande saw the Rams go 3-0 up inside 12 minutes.
Strikes from Billy Gough and two more from McAndrew to complete his treble topped off an excellent display.
Danny Maye’s side raced out the blocks, as the Trialist burst past his man and slotted into the far corner to give the Rams an early lead with just four minutes on the clock.
McAndrew got his first of the afternoon two minutes later as a cross found its way all the way to the Republic of Ireland youth international, and he made no mistake from close range.
Derby grabbed a third through captain Osayande on 12 minutes, as a scramble in the six-yard box fell for the centre back, who smashed the ball home.
An inch-perfect through ball from Marsel Tola found Gough who found the back of the next to make it four on 23 minutes.
McAndrew got his second and Derby’s fifth with 27 minutes played, as the ball fell kindly for him from outside the box and he unleashed a fine finish into the bottom corner.
His hat-trick came just two minutes later, before the half hour mark, when Demian Agustien played a through ball, he beat the offside trap and curled an effort into the far corner.
Sunderland pulled one back before half-time as Benjamin Creamer slotted home a volley.
The Rams weathered the Black Cats early storm at the start of the second half, as the visitors forced a good one-on-one save from Harley Price.
Maye’s side saw the game out well and Sunderland were reduced to 10 men late on when Jaydon Jones kicked out at substitute Israel Green.
The result means Derby ended the day in third place in the Under-18 Premier League - North and they will look for back-to-back home wins next Saturday against Everton (12pm kick-off).
Derby County Under-18s: Price (GK), Perry, Gough (Green 46), Tola, Canoville, Osayande (Gordon 46), Trialist A, Agustien, Oguntolu (Trialist B), Eames, McAndrew (Mintus 46).
Substitutes Not Used: Shattell (GK).
Words: Will Stanier.
