Preview: Derby County v Barrow

4 September 2020

We take a closer look at the action as The Bluebirds prepare to kick-off their campaign in the Carabao Cup this weekend.

Derby County v Barrow
Saturday 5^th September 2020, 12noon
Pride Park
Carabao Cup First Round

In Opposition
Barrow will lock horns with Derby County for the first time in over 60 years this weekend when the sides come together in the First Round of the Carabao Cup at Pride Park.

Not since January 1957 and a 3-3 draw in Division Three North have the two sides shared a pitch and there will be plenty of interested onlookers when they cross swords again on Saturday.

The Rams will be keen to get off to a strong start, particularly on home soil, as Phillip Cocu looks to deliver the dream of a return to top flight football.

County finished six points shy of the play-offs last time around but the former Dutch international will be hoping that his squad – which includes England’s all-time record scorer Wayne Rooney – can improve on last term’s 10^th place finish when they get down to business in 2020/21.

Team News
Barrow will be without Scott Quigley due to suspension as the front man begins a three-game suspension after his sending-off in the game against Notts County at the end of last season.

The Rams will miss Welsh international Tom Lawrence who is still recovering from a shoulder injury picked up at the end of last term, while Polish international Krystian Bielik is still sidelined with knee trouble.

Referee
Ollie Yates will be the man in the middle for Saturday’s Carabao Cup contest – the second time he has taken charge of a game involving The Bluebirds.

However, you have to go back to the early stages of the 2015/16 campaign for that match when Yates oversaw our 1-1 draw with Guiseley in the National League.

This will be Yates’ first outing of the 2020/21 season – his fifth in the EFL.

Betting
The bookies have installed Derby as 2/5 favourites for victory this weekend, with Barrow available at a price of 6/1 and odds of 7/2 on the game going to penalties.

Click here now to take a look at Sky Bet’s range of odds on Saturday’s action.

Television Coverage
The game is being broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football – the programme begins at 11.30am on Saturday morning.

iFollow Bluebirds
You can listen to full live online commentary of Saturday’s game on iFollow as we link-up with BBC Radio Cumbria to deliver full coverage of every single game during 2020/21.

You can purchase an Audio Match Pass for £2.50, an Audio Monthly Pass for £4.49 or sign-up for Audio Season Pass which provides all live commentary and video news for just £45.

Click here now to subscribe to iFollow Bluebrds.

Competition Rules
If Saturday’s game is all-square after ninety minutes there will be no extra-time played – the tie will go straight to a penalty shootout.

Match Reports

Barrow Beaten On Penalties At Derby

5 September 2020

A photo of Dior Angus in action at Derby — Dior Angus in action against Derby County

Championship outfit Derby County needed a penalty shootout to nudge past Barrow in the Carabao Cup as David Dunn’s men got the 2020/21 campaign off to a heartening start.

The Bluebirds were more than a match for a Rams side who could not find a way through a resilient Barrow defence – indeed, it was the visitors who had two of the better chances in the opening period.

County pressed hard towards the end of normal time but were denied by some determined defending and the tie was then settled on spot-kicks with The Rams going through despite Joel Dixon saving two penalties in the shootout.

It was Derby who enjoyed the lion’s share of the early possession, looking comfortable on the ball and trying to probe for a way through what looked a resolute Barrow backline.

The Bluebirds kept their shape with real discipline to make it tricky for the hosts to find a way through and began growing in to the game as it developed.

With a little under quarter of an hour on the clock, Barrow’s growing composure was underlined with a flowing move from right to left which got Josh Kay on the ball but, after cutting inside dangerously on his right foot, the powerful drive was sent just too high.

Dunn’s men created the best chance on 21 minutes when Dior Angus stormed through down the right side and got in to the box but was well denied by Kelle Roos under pressure from a recovering defender.

There was an even better opening a couple of minutes later as Jack Hindle seized on some hesitant Derby defending to get clear on the edge of the box but his clever attempted chip drifted just the wrong side of the far post.

County hit back with an opportunity of their own when the ball was shovelled across to the far post from the right and, as Craig Forsyth nodded it back across goal, Jack Marriott arrived to have a shot which was deflected over the bar.

A move from right to left caused problems again for Barrow as a low cross from Forsyth was just about diverted behind and then Matt Clarke nodded the resultant corner just off-target.

It was Barrow who created the first chance of note at the start of the second half when the ball was slipped forward by Kay in to the feet of Hindle, who turned swiftly and then sent a curling effort agonisingly wide of the right-hand post.

Derby began to apply a little more pressure as time wore on and Barrow were thankful to a great block from James Jones to prevent Marriott’s volley from twelve yards from finding the net.

In the end it was a penalty shootout which was left to decide the action and it was The Rams who held their nerve to go through 3-2 on spot-kicks.

Penalties

Dior Angus – Scored (1-0)
George Evans – Scored (1-1)
Tom Beadling – Saved (1-1)
Jack Marriott – Saved (1-1)
Lewis Hardcastle – Saved (1-1)
Max Bird – Saved (1-1)
Harrison Biggins – Scored (2-1)
Graeme Shinnie – Scored (2-2)
Jack Hindle – Saved (2-2)
Morgan Whittaker – Scored (3-2)

Full Time: Derby County 0 Barrow 0 (Derby win 3-2 on penalties)

Derby County: Roos, Forsyth, Te Wierik, Bird, Marriott, Clarke (Whittaker 61), Sibley (Wisdom 84), Evans, Holmes (Shinnie 55), Buchanan, Knight.
Subs not used: Ravas, Davies, Shonibare, Solomon.

Barrow: Dixon, Brown, Platt (Hird 79), M Jones (Biggins 77), Hardcastle, Kay, J Jones, Beadling, Angus, Hindle, Ntlhe.
Subs not used: Taylor, Gribbin, Penfold, James.

Booked: Brown (43, foul)

Referee: Ollie Yates