MATCH REPORT: Blackburn Rovers U21 1-4 Derby County U21

Derby County Under-21s secured all three Premier League 2 points after an electric first-half showing saw off Blackburn Rovers in a 4-1 win on Monday night.

Danny Maye’s side bounced back with a convincing win after losing 3-0 against Norwich City in their last league outing at the end of October.

The four-goal showing against Rovers means the Under-21s have netted 16 times in their last four fixtures, including an 8-2 victory over Bristol City in the Premier League Cup last month.

The Rams netted all four of their goals in the first half, with Owen Eames bagging inside the first minute at the Lancashire County FA Ground.

Cameron Wilson doubled Derby’s lead from the penalty spot in the tenth minute, before Jamie Wähling struck just a minute later, and the German midfielder was again on target from close range in the 42nd minute to make it 4-0.

The second half saw a more tightly-fought contest, with both sides nullifying each other’s threat, but the hosts did manage to get a goal back with Levi Ball grabbing a consolation goal in the final minute of the match.

The Under-21s will be looking to maintain the winning feeling when they face Stoke City in the Premier League Cup on Friday 21st November at Matlock Town's Proctor Cars Stadium (7pm kick-off).

Team News

Derby County Under-21s: Kane (GK), Turley, Beck (T Gill 40), Osayande (C), Nelson (Canoville 46), Tola, Wilson (Green 74), Wähling, Eames (Richards 46), Smith, Osong.

Substitutes Not Used: Dzialuk (GK).

Post-Match Reaction

“It was a really pleasing performance tonight,” Senior Professional Development Coach Danny Maye said after the game.

“We did all the basics really well; our press was aggressive and allowed us to play most of the first 45 in their half. Then, when it did turnover, we counter-pressed immediately and gave them little time on the ball.

“With the ball, we carried a real threat with excellent movement behind. The front-line read the space well tonight and consistently made the box to give us chances to score.

“As the game went on, we needed to defend a little deeper and showed the desire to compete and block. The lads will be disappointed to concede late on, but they fully deserved their win.”