U21S MATCH REPORT: DERBY COUNTY 2-3 BURNLEY

Young Clarets win Central League Cup

Burnley U21s overturned a two-goal deficit to win a memorable EFL Central League Cup final against Category A side Derby County at Pride Park on Tuesday evening.

After centre-back Murray Campbell scored an important goal in first-half stoppage time Joe Westley restored parity with his second goal in as many matches.

It was then left to defender Benn Ward, who scored the winning goal in the semi-final against Stockport County, to strike once again with a powerful header eight minutes from time.

Andy Farrell had most of his regular starters to choose from again, with Ward and Joe Ashton returning at centre-back and left-back respectively.

The three other changes from Friday’s Professional Development League trip to Watford saw captain Will Hugill, Tom Tweedy and Joe Bevan introduced too.

Westley found himself in on goal after just three minutes but his effort was diverted narrowly wide and Derby made the young Clarets pay as Trialist B scored soon after.

Burnley enjoyed plenty of possession and regularly pushed forwards with Alex Healy Byrne, Bevan and Tweedy linking up particularly well down the right.

They couldn’t quite force an opening of note, though, and Derby doubled their lead when Niall McAndrew picked out the bottom right corner from the edge in first-half stoppage time.

Campbell ensured the deficit was just one at the break, reacting quickest to stoop and head in after Westley hit the bar.

Farrell introduced Basilio Socoliche and a Trialist on the hour and the Clarets were level by the 63rd minute, with Westley receiving the ball in the area and calmly picking out the bottom left corner.

The Clarets weren’t content with a draw that would have seen the tie go to penalties and Ward rose highest to head in a Tommy McDermott header at the back post and spark jubilant celebrations.

The remaining minutes saw Burnley defend resolutely, throwing bodies on the line and bringing on the reinforcements required from the substitutes bench to seal a six win from six in the competition this season.

Burnley: Casper, Healy Byrne, Ashton, Ward, Campbell, Hugill, Richardson (Trialist 61), McDermott (Francis-Burrell, Westley, Tweedy (Parker 90+2, Bevan (Socoliche 61)

Unused Subs: Moss

Derby County: Evans, Bartley, Moloney, Robinson, Radcliffe, Cox, Trialist A, Allen, Trialist B, Stepien-Iwumene, McAndrew

Subs: Hawkins, Thompson, Trialist C, Nto, Wheeldon

Goals: Trialist B 6’, McAndrew 45+1, Campbell 45+3, Westley 63’, Ward 82’