Derby County’s Under-18s played out a thrilling 3-3 draw at Stoke City in Premier League - North on Saturday.
The Potters took the lead after just five minutes through Pedro Nzau to get off to the perfect start.
However, Derby hit back with two goals inside two minutes just before half-time to take the lead.
Rio Canoville equalised three minutes before the break and Jerome Richards went on to fire the Rams into the lead within 60 seconds.
Lewis Bailey levelled matters for the home side just after the hour mark, before the same player turned the game on its head completely by putting the hosts ahead once more with just under 20 minutes remaining.
Derby got themselves back onto level terms with 80 minutes played as forward Justin Oguntolu found the net to make it 3-3.
Next up for Danny Maye's Under-18s is their Premier League Cup Quarter Final clash with Fulham at Moor Farm Training Ground on Wednesday 12th February (12pm kick-off), before returning to league action against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Moor Farm Training Ground on Saturday 15th February (11am kick-off).
Derby County Under-18s: Price (GK), Richards, Doyle (Ward 76), Canoville, Marriott, Connell-Webster (Friars 69), Eames, Tola, Oguntolu, Agustien, Mintus (Hodges 60).
Substitutes Not Used: Rees (GK), Green.
Post-Match Reaction
Under-18 Lead Coach Danny Maye said: “We produced a strong performance today. We just lacked that cutting edge in front of goal and made a couple of mistakes, despite our good intentions.
“That being said, the team can be pleased with their performance. We started poorly but then took control for most of the first half. We had all the ball and kept them pinned in; some of the combination play was excellent.
“Despite creating chances, we struggled to score until the last five minutes of the first half to give us the lead we deserved.
“We started the second half well, but they punished a mistake and momentum briefly switched. This is great learning for the players as they needed to slow things down and regain momentum, but we were too desperate to score.
“Stoke scored again whilst we tried to play out, but it was good to see us hit back so quickly. We scored a brilliant late winner which was unfortunately ruled out. Despite this, there were lots of pleasing individual performances.”
