U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 1-1 DERBY COUNTY

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Honours even in the Leyland rain

2026-02-23T21:56:04.864Z

U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 1-1 DERBY COUNTY

Honours even in the Leyland rain

2026-02-23T21:56:04.864Z

Honours even in the Leyland rain

Zach Johnson’s second goal of the season was cancelled out by Charlie Smith as Burnley U21s drew with their Derby County counterparts on Monday night.

There were two changes from last week’s well-earned point at Everton, both of which came to the defence.

Cameron Scott came in for his first Clarets start at left centre-back, with Marley Leuluai joining him in a three that saw Corey King and Oli Pimlott push forward to wing-back roles.

An end-to-end first half saw both teams create chances, the first of which saw Kian McMahon-Brown head Ellis Clark’s cross narrowly wide.

Vernon Masara then shot well wide from a presentable position and headed a more difficult chance over, before the deadlock was broken in the 22nd minute.

U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 1-1 DERBY COUNTY - Image 1

Excellent pressing saw McMahon-Brown dispossess Derby ‘keeper Jack Thompson following a goal kick, and the Republic of Ireland youth international squared for Johnson to tap in from six yards.

Derby will have been disappointed not to have restored parity before the break.

After Shaun Wade cut inside from the left and sent a curler just the wrong side of the post, Justin Oguntolu was denied by a body on the line block from Murray Campbell.

It took them just three minutes to equalise after the restart, though, and it was a similar goal to Johnson’s. George Brierley was dispossessed high, allowing Smith to slot past Charlie Casper.

With momentum firmly in the visitors’ favour Farrell turned to his bench on the hour, replacing Scott and Brierley with Roman Egan-Riley and Brandon Pouani respectively.

Clark then had big shouts for a penalty waved away before Johnson made way for first-year scholar Luca Scanlon in the 72nd minute.

U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 1-1 DERBY COUNTY - Image 2

Both teams pushed forward in search of a winner at every opportunity, and U18 strikers Braidin Derbyshire and Destiny Okonkwo were given the last eight minutes plus five added to impress.

It was Derby who had the best of the stoppage-time action, though, with Egan-Riley producing a fine goal-line clearance to prevent a goal.

Casper then rushed out to the feet of Oguntolu with virtually the last kick before referee Aaron Bannister called a halt to the action.

Burnley now have nine Premier League 2 points from their 15 outings to date ahead of a trip to Fulham on Friday night.

Burnley: Casper, King, Pimlott, Campbell, Scott (Egan-Riley 59), Leuluai, Clark, Brierley (Pouani 59), McMahon-Brown (Okonkwo 82), Masara (Derbyshire 82), Johnson (Scanlon 72)

Derby County: Thompson, Jones (Robinson 62), Canoville, Banks, Offor, Waehling, Wade (Wilson 62), Smith, Oguntolu, Mintus (Hodges 82), Davidson (Perry 62)

Unused Substitutes: Evans

Goals: Johnson 22’, Smith 48’