Derby County confirmed their place in the knockout rounds of the EFL Trophy with a 4-1 win over Wolves under-21s, with Matt Hamshaw saying the performance from the academy players was ‘really pleasing’.
The Rams took a 1-0 lead into half-time with James Collins scoring in the 43rd minute.
Wolves managed to peg the Rams back in the 49th minute through substitute Josh Esen, but Collins scored another two to complete his hat-trick.
Youngster Tony Weston, who came off the bench, scored his first goal for the club to secure the win on Wednesday night and subsequently Derby’s place in the knockout rounds.
But the men who starred came from the Rams’ academy.
Hamshaw on ‘night for the academy’
Speaking to the Derby Telegraph after the game, first team coach Matt Hamshaw said that it was a ‘night for the academy’.
“It was really pleasing. It was a night for the academy if I am honest. I know James Collins has scored a hat-trick but the fact we’ve had six or seven that have come from the academy as well given Eiran Cashin and Sibley also came through it too.
“It wasn’t far off a full 11 out there which is really pleasing. It’s a big thanks to the academy staff for their hard work and dedication. As many people know they were hit hard and lost a lot of young players who went on to Premier League clubs and would have been in a League One squad this season. The fact we lost them cheaply, and I am not speaking out of turn, I’ve been pleasantly surprised with the turnaround and how quick it has happened. This year there are signs they are progressing quicker than we anticipated.”
Academy players shine on debut for Derby
Darren Robinson, Adebayo Fapetu and Dajaune Brown all made their first competitive starts for the first team, with manager Paul Warne heavily rotating from Sunday’s draw against Crewe Alexandra on Sunday afternoon.
Fapetu particularly impressed, being lauded as ‘impressive’ on his debut.
The Rams also made five substitutions, with all of those being academy players too.
With all performing very well, it’s has certainly given Warne more of a headache for when it comes to selecting a team for the match on Saturday.