Derby County 0-0 Town - Half-Time Tuesday, 13th Sep 2016 20:42 Town’s game at Derby County remains 0-0 at the break but with Blues keeper Bartosz Bialkowski having made a number of saves. Adam Webster and Conor Grant replaced the injured Tommy Smith and Freddie Sears in an otherwise unchanged side but with Town lining up in a 4-4-1-1 formation with Grant on the left and Kevin Bru behind striker Brett Pitman. Derby made two changes with Jacob Butterfield coming in for Johnny Russell, who has a calf problem, in midfield and Alex Pearce taking over from Jason Shackell at centre-half. The Blues had most of the ball in the early stages but it was Derby who created the first chance on five, James Wilson breaking towards the edge of the box before Webster stopped him in his tracks. The Rams went close to going in front in the 10th minute when Luke Chambers’s clearing header from a cross from the right only reached Matej Vydra on the edge of the box. The Czech Republic international hit a powerful low shot which Bialkowski brilliantly stopped. Chambers atoned for his error by reaching the loose ball before Wilson Derby continued to look the more dangerous side with their pace going forward proving a significant threat but without Bialkowski being tested again. But the Blues began to get on top as the match reached the 20-minute mark, Bru and Jonas Knudsen combining with Grant Ward on the left before the ex-Spurs winger hit a low shot well wide. On 22 Bru, who was finding a lot of space midway inside the Derby half, fed Grant to his left. The on-loan Everton man crossed to the far post and the ball deflected out to the Mauritius international, whose attempt to loop the ball back into the box was blocked. Town continued to have more of the ball, passing it around confidently at times, but without creating an opportunity. In the 31st minute a Butterfield freekick on the Derby right, awarded after Grant had fouled Cyrus Christie, was cleared to Craig Bryson, who hit a shot through a crowd of players which Bialkowski claimed at the second attempt. The Rams were taking charge again and two minutes later, after Bru had got caught in possession midway inside his own half by Will Hughes, Bryson shot wide, off a Town defender according to the home players but not referee Stuart Attwell. Town found themselves very much under the cosh as the half entered its final 10 minutes. Chambers blocked an Ikechi Anya shot, then Cole Skuse was booked for a foul on Hughes. Moments later, Webster bundled the ball behind after Anya had cut in from the left. On 38 Webster made a strong run from deep unchallenged but Derby quickly regained possession and brought the ball forward again. A minute later Berra was booked for a foul on Hughes and Butterfield sent the resultant 25-yard freekick wide. The Derby pressure continued, Wilson hitting a low shot from distance which Bialkowski saved down to his left. Knudsen cleared the danger. Half-time gave the Blues some respite having been pinned back in their own box for most of the final 15 minutes. After weathering the Rams’ earlier spell of dominance, the Blues briefly got on top but without creating a serious chance. However, the home side regained control and Town will be pleased to have gone in still level at the break. Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), Webster, Berra, Knudsen, Skuse, Bru, Douglas, Ward, Grant, Pitman. Subs: Gerken, Emmanuel, Kenlock, Bishop, Lawrence, Varney, Best. Derby: Carson, Christie, Keogh (c), Pearce, Olsson, Butterfield, Bryson, Hughes, Anya, Vydra, Wilson. Subs: Mitchell, Shackell, Ince, Bent, Baird, Johnson, Blackman. Referee: Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire).
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