Match Report: Boro U21s 3 Derby County U21s 1

Boro’s Under-21s picked up a first win of the season after giving Derby County the run-around at Heritage Park.

The 3-1 scoreline didn’t do justice to a Boro performance that saw Mark Tinkler’s side dominate throughout.

Isaac Fletcher opened the scoring after just 18 seconds, but with Derby equalising two minutes later, it wasn’t until Jeremy Sivi found the target midway through the second half that Boro finally got their noses deservedly back in front.

Max Howells put the seal on the win in the closing stages.

Derby hadn’t touched the ball by the time Fletcher showed good confidence to score inside the opening 20 seconds.

That lead only lasted three minutes, though, when Derby won a free-kick from their first attack and George Nunn glanced a header beyond Oliver Swan into the far corner.

Boro’s response was immediate and Fletcher had a shot cleared off the line after beating the Derby keeper from an angle.

Calum Kavanagh showed a great piece of skill on the edge of the box, but some quick thinking by a Derby defender denied him the chance to apply the finishing touch.

An offside flag also denied Pharrell Willis a clear chance on goal after he latched on to a Daniel Dodds ball forward.

Derby keeper Harry Evans made an important double save to deny Boro when he first spread himself well at the feet of Kavanagh then reacted quickly to keep out Fletcher’s follow-up.

Willis also sent an effort off target after more good play by Fletcher and Bryant Bilongo had a cross tipped off the head of Jeremy Sivi by an alert Evans in the Derby goal.

Frankie Whelan was the next to go close moments before the interval when he drilled in a shot after Sivi pulled the ball back.

And right on the stroke of half-time an offside flag was already raised when Kavanagh lashed the ball into the back of the net.

Boro started the second period in similar fashion and were the dominant side once again. Jack Hannah went close with a header from an Isiah Cornet corner and Kavanagh hurried a shot over the bar.

When Dodds swung over a free-kick Hannah went close again as the visitors continued to lead a charmed life.

When Sivi sent a shot just wide of the goal shortly after the hour it was telling that it was Boro’s 15^th attempt of the game, but a second goal was proving elusive.

But he made no mistake moments later when he after Kavanagh was fouled, the ball fell kindly and Evans failed to keep his shot out.

Derby were scrambling again when Fletcher looked to pick out Kavanagh at the far post, but the ball was cleared.

Evans then came off his line to deny Kavanagh as Boro continued to batter the Rams.

Derby goalkeeper Evans recovered well after he went absent without leave to give substitute Sam Folarin an opportunity before pulling off a great save to keep the shot out.

Three minutes from time, Folarin was involved again when he showed good wheels down the right before squaring for Howells to convert.