MATCH REPORT: Derby County U21 0-0 Blackburn Rovers U21

Derby County’s Under-21s played out a 0-0 draw with Blackburn Rovers to extend their unbeaten run in Premier League 2 to three matches on Monday night.

In a game of few clear-cut opportunities, the two sides had to settle for a share of the spoils in challenging conditions. Derby have now picked up seven points out of nine in the league in 2025, after the recent 2-1 home win over Tottenham Hotspur and the 1-0 success at Reading.

The match was played at the Rams’ Moor Farm Training Centre because of Matlock Town’s Proctor Cars Stadium having a waterlogged pitch, following heavy overnight rain.

Under-21 Lead Coach Jake Buxton was able to call upon a strong line-up, including defender Jake Rooney and midfielder Freddie Turley who have been on the substitutes’ bench for the first team in recent matches, despite having several players out on loan in senior non-league football gaining vital experience.

Derby enjoyed plenty of early pressure in windy conditions and forced a number of free-kicks and corners which allowed them to test the Blackburn backline, although they weren’t able to turn them into opportunities on the visiting goal.

Buxton was forced into an early change as Republic of Ireland youth international Niall McAndrew was forced off injured after 17 minutes, with Jaydan Davidson coming off the bench to take his place out wide.

That didn’t significantly impact Derby’s flow as continued to ask questions of Rovers, pressing high and fast from the front, but it remained a familiar tale as they were unable to turn their pressure into chances on goal.

Blackburn had the first sight on goal just before the half-hour mark, however, as a ball in behind the Derby backline sent James Edmondson into the box and his low shot forced a good save from Harry Evans in goal.

The visitors enjoyed the better of proceedings in the latter stages of the first half and defender Patrick Gamble’s header from a corner was on target and easily claimed by Evans on his line.

Down the other end a good challenge and ball in behind by Rooney found Johnson Osong in space down the left but his eventual shot was blocked and cleared.

Derby made their second change of the evening at half-time with Turley replaced in midfield by in-form Under-18s midfielder Cruz Allen, who impressed in the 3-1 FA Youth Cup Fourth Round win at Sheffield United last week and the 4-1 Premier League North thrashing of Liverpool at the weekend.

As the rain fell, the Rams started the second half on the front foot. They continued to find breaking down the Blackburn rearguard a difficult ask, although they did have a good shout for a penalty waved away when Osong appeared to be brought down as he advanced into the box by a Rovers defender.

Brandon Powell flashed an effort over for Blackburn after advancing forward from left-back just after the hour mark with his strike always rising from a narrow angle and unable to test Evans in the Derby net.

The driving wind and rain made conditions difficult for both sides, although Derby thought they had the lead inside the final ten minutes as a low cross-shot found Davidson inside the six-yard box - but he couldn’t direct the ball on target whilst under pressure from a defender.

Blackburn had a late chance to win the contest when Joe Boggan smashed an effort against the crossbar from inside the Derby box after connecting with a low right-ring cross which rebounded behind for a goal kick.

The visitors were reduced to ten men for the final few minutes when Tom Atcheson as dismissed for a second bookable offence for halting a Derby attack down the left wing. That prompted constant pressure from the Rams to break the deadlock, but Rovers held firm and the game ended goalless.

The Under-21s first draw of the season in Premier League 2 leaves them 15th in the table of 26 teams with 16 points to their name.

The Under-21s are back in action on Friday night when they head to Chelsea in the Premier League Cup group stage (7pm kick-off), knowing a win against the Blues will see them qualify for the knockout stages of the competition.

Their next Premier League 2 outing is on Monday 10th February when they travel to Nottingham Forest (7pm kick-off).

Team News

Derby County Under-21s: Evans (GK), Rooney (Oguntolu 90), Moloney, Turley (Allen 46), Cox (C), K Robinson, Perry, D Robinson, Wheeldon, Osong, McAndrew (Davidson 17) (Canoville 84).

Substitutes Not Used: Shattell (GK).