Derby County’s Under-18s beat Newcastle United 4-1 in a dominant performance at Moor Farm on Saturday lunchtime.
An impressive brace from Dajaune Brown and goals from Jaydan Davidson and Carlos Richards saw the Rams cruise to victory.
Johnny Emerson netted Newcastle’s only goal of the game with the visitors struggling to threaten a resilient Derby defence throughout.
It was a fast start for Derby who dominated possession in the opening stages of the game, with the first opportunity falling to Cameron Ashia after a quick free kick inside the Newcastle half was taken by Bayo Fapetu, with Ashia’s curling effort going narrowly over the bar.
It was Ashia causing problems for Newcastle’s defence again 10 minutes later, as he found himself through on goal after an impressive combination between Rams striker, Brown, and Jaydan Davidson but the Rams’ number ten was denied by Aidan Harris in the Magpies goal.
A minute later Derby found themselves through on goal again, as Brown sprinted into the penalty area, then seemingly fouled in the box by United’s Harry Powell however Derby were only awarded a corner.
Pressure would soon tell as Carlos Richards’ dangerous corner was whipped in to be flicked on by Dan Cox and a half-volleyed strike was controlled expertly by Brown on the penalty spot finding the bottom left corner to put Derby into the lead in the 34th minute.
The Magpies best chance of the half came shortly after Derby’s opener when Scott Bailey split the Rams’ defence, but Emerson’s shot was saved by Josh Shattell in goal. Bayo Fapetu then threw himself in front of the ball to brilliantly block Bailey’s rebounded effort.
As the Rams continued to get in behind United’s defence, it was in the 41st minute when Brown found himself bagging a brace, with the electric pace of Richards baring down on goal once more, he squared the ball to Brown who’s effort ricocheted off of Harris in goal and it became a quick-fire two goal lead for Derby.
On the stroke of time Davidson put the cherry on what was a thoroughly impressive first half, capitalising on a slip from Powell, and slotting a cool finish into the Magpies’ net.
Half time brought around what would be a significant substitution in the course of the game as United’s Dylan Charlton was forced off due to injury, replaced by Logan Watts.
Charlton’s exit from the game saw a change to a three-at-the-back system for Newcastle, something which Richards would exploit over and over, being afforded so much space to run at United’s back three, going so close to scoring an unbelievable solo goal after running from within his own half.
However, on the 65th minute, Newcastle’s most dangerous player on the day converted a goal back, with Emerson sliding in to finish after Scott Palmer slid the ball across the box, leaving the winger faced with an empty net.
Richards would soon put the game to bed for Derby though, going on yet another magical weaving run in the 65th minute, this time chopping inside when reaching the box and smashing the ball in at the near post to restore Derby’s three-goal-lead. An unstoppable shot.
From then on it was a case of Derby seeing the game out, with a resilient defensive performance being summed up in the 86th minute when Callum Moore made an excellent tackle to stop Emerson as he bared down on goal.
Derby County’s Under-18s will return to action on Saturday 11th March, facing Middlesbrough at Moor Farm in the Premier League Under-18 - North.
Derby County Under-18s: Shattell (GK), Perry (Robinson 72), Gough (Simons 85), Fapetu (C), Moore, Cox, Richards, Hawkins, Brown, Ashia (Wheeldon 77), Davidson (Aideyan 85).
Substitutes Not Used: Price (GK).
Words: Geordie Atkinson.
