18/09/11: Chaplins FC (2) v (3) New Derby FC
Scorers: Calvert 3 (1 pen)
Starting Team: Stothard (GK), Ashman, Horn (c), Scott, Robson, Gourlay, Binks, Hutchinson, Dodsworth (Mather), Thompson, Calvert
Subs (Unused): Bunyan, Young, Wright
Yellows: Horn, Thompson, Hutchinson
Reds: None
Rob Calvert’s second successive hat-trick helped to fire the New Derby to a 3-2 win over Chaplins – a result which saw the victors move up to sixth in the Division Two table and in the process leapfrog their opponents.
Scott Linton made four changes to the side who were on duty against Washington F Pit, seven days ago. Captain Ben Horn, Vice captain Graham Binks plus Iain Ashman and Dave Gourlay were all handed recalls to the starting eleven. Josh McGill missed out through injury while Paul Bunyan was only fit enough for a place on the bench after he suffered a recurrence of an ankle problem.
The Derby got off to the perfect start when with only three minutes on the watch they were awarded a penalty. Rob Calvert reached a ball into the box before the oncoming Chaplins keeper, who then proceeded to rugby tackle the Derby striker to the ground. Calvert picked himself up and duly dispatched the spot kick to put the away side ahead.
The Derby continued to dominate in the early stages and they were enjoying great success when they attacked especially down the left flank.
Graham Binks just failed to get a meaningful contact on a cross when he found himself with only the keeper to beat while Rob Calvert also saw a shot cleared off the goal line.
At the other end the Derby goal was rarely threatened. In fact the only real chance, Chaplins had came in the shape of a free header at the far post which the attacker was only able to guide wide of the target.
Ben Horn picked up a first half caution for dissent as he joined two Chaplins players in referee Ron Alcock’s notebook. Harold Horn was also warned by the referee for abuse he aimed at the official from his vantage point on the touchline.
Despite the Derby’s dominance in the first half the score remained 1-0 at the break.
The second goal of the game arrived ten minutes into the second period when Rob Calvert doubled both his and the teams tally. Martin Thompson flicked a long ball forward into the path of the Derby number 10 and he sprinted clear before drilling a left footed shot through the legs of a helpless Chaplins keeper.
Things got even better for the Derby just after the hour mark as they went three goals clear. Following a good interception and break out of defence by Robson he laid the ball left for Dodsworth. Dodsworth then absolutely raided the Chaplins right back and played it inside to Calvert, who slotted the ball in at the near post. That goal was Calvert’s twelfth of the season and also ensured that he had completed back to back hat-tricks.
After putting themselves three goals ahead the Derby then took their foot off the pedal presumably thinking that the game was as good as over. Chaplins sensed this and started to attack with more purpose.
Derby substitute, Paul Bunyan, was then involved in a touchline confrontation with a Chaplins player, as he stepped in to break up a potential fight between him and right back, Iain Ashman.
The home side were handed a lifeline as the second half reached its midway point when referee Ron Alcock awarded Chaplins a penalty. Following a long ball out of defence the Chaplins forward was bundled over just inside the area by Horn. On another day the Derby captain, who was already on a yellow card, may well have found himself being sent off. Thankfully though the referee deemed the penalty to be suitable punishment. The spot kick was fired into the top right hand corner.
The Derby wobble continued as eight minutes later, Chaplins pulled another goal back. Another long ball forward was not dealt with and the Chaplins forward ran clear and poked the ball past the oncoming Stothard and into the bottom left hand corner of the net.
The Derby were starting to become a little frustrated. Thompson had his name taken following a lunging tackle while Martin Hutchinson was also cautioned for kicking the ball away.
The Derby continued to threaten going forward though and both strikers missed good chances to give the away side some vital breathing space.
With eight minutes left, James Dodsworth, who had been a constant menace all morning, was replaced by Chris Mather as Scott Linton sought a fresh injection of energy.
Chaplins efforts to grab an equaliser were made more difficult when their central midfielder, the same one who was involved in the incident with Bunyan, was sent off. Having been booked in the first half for a rash tackle he picked up a second yellow card for kicking the ball away.
Despite some late pressure from Chaplins, the Derby backline stood firm and ensured the victory was achieved.
At the final whistle, the Chaplins player who was dismissed, rushed back onto the field and attempted to confront Bunyan as he headed back to the changing rooms. The situation was quickly diffused despite the Chaplins player threatening to knife the Derby defender.
The three points gained from this result see the Derby jump up to sixth in the table. Next week the Derby face The Guide Post (formerly City FC) at the Downhill Dome. The Derby won the reverse fixture 5-0 less than a month ago and will no doubt be hoping for a repeat result.
