11/12/11: The Chesters X1 (1) v (6) New Derby FC
Scorers: Calvert 3, Waites 2, Thompson
Starting Team: Udale (GK), Bunyan, Horn (c), Scott, Taylor, Waites, Binks, Gourlay (Gardner), Robson, Thompson (Young), Calvert (Dodsworth)
Subs (Unused): Ashman, Boiston, Fisher, Josh McGill, Mather, Wright
Yellows: None
Reds: None
The New Derby continued their excellent run of form as they brushed aside Division Two strugglers, Chester X1 by a 6-1 score line.
With Rob Calvert passing a pre game fitness test on a hamstring problem, Scott Linton named an unchanged starting line up.
The Derby got off to the best possible start when with barely a minute gone they took the lead. A ball over the top by Dave Gourlay saw Calvert sprint clear and after outpacing his marker he drilled a shot across the keeper and into the bottom corner. If ever there was a way for Calvert to prove his fitness that was it.
Despite taking an early lead the Derby started slugglishly although they should have doubled their advantage through Gourlay but he lashed a shot over the bar when well placed inside the penalty area.
The Derby’s sloppy start was punished on the quarter of an hour mark when Chesters X1 drew themselves level. A misplaced pass by Luke Taylor was seized upon by a Chesters player and after a quick interchange of passes the move finished with one of the Chesters forwards smashing a shot high past Steve Udale at his near post.
The concession of the equaliser finally saw the Derby awaken from their slumber and they began to knock the ball around confidently.
It wasn’t long before the boys in blue regained their lead. Some excellent pressure exerted by Calvert and Graham Binks saw the Chesters right back attempt a blind back pass to his keeper. This was intercepted by Martin Thompson who laid the ball off to Calvert to fire home with his right foot.
Graham Binks almost scored his first goal of the season shortly afterwards when a shot by James Waites was parried straight to him. However, the Derby midfielder was unable to react quickly enough and the ball cannoned back off him and flew over the bar with the goal gaping.
As the first half entered its final ten minutes, the Derby made the score 3-1 when James Waites netted his first goal for the club. He was played in by a lovely ball from Thompson and coolly dispatched a shot past the oncoming keeper.
The Derby lead 3-1 at the break without really getting out of second gear.
Chesters X1 came out after the interval strongly and went close with an effort virtually straight from the kick off.
Any thoughts they had of an attempted comeback though were all but extinguished five minutes into the second period when James Waites grabbed his second goal of the game. Calvert brought down a clearance forward and played the ball wide to Stephen Robson. He then interchanged passes with Gourlay and drilled the ball across the box to Thompson. The Derby striker then showed good awareness to tee up the unmarked Waites to crash the ball past the helpless keeper at his near post. It really was a lovely move which led to the goal and the Derby supporters weren’t shy in showing their appreciation on the touchline.
A couple of minutes later and Martin Thompson deservedly got himself on the score sheet as he grabbed the Derby’s fifth goal of the game. Thompson battled through a couple of Chesters challenges on the edge of the box before sliding in just ahead of the keeper to stab the ball under him and into the back of the net.
Just after the hour mark the Derby made it 6-1 as Rob Calvert completed his hat-trick. A long ball over the top from Sam Scott saw the Chesters keeper charge out of his goal to confront Calvert as he chased down the ball. The Derby striker reached the ball before the keeper and after skilfully taking it round him; he showed great composure to crack a left footed shot into the top corner past the four defenders who had managed to get back onto the line.
With the game as good as over Scott Linton elected to use the opportunity to give some of his players a well earned rest. Dave Gourlay, Martin Thompson and hat-trick hero Calvert were all substituted with Jonny Gardner, James Dodsworth and Adam Young all given a run out for the last twenty minutes or so.
Following the introduction of the three subs the game somewhat petered out although Waites nearly joined Calvert in netting a hat-trick but he was robbed of the opportunity when Young just got his head to a cross before Waites and headed the ball over.
Chesters X1 almost grabbed a second goal with the last kick of the game when Bunyan’s poor defensive header only succeeded in giving a Chesters player a shooting chance but Udale, who had enjoyed one of his quieter afternoons, stood up well to keep the shot out.
This was not a vintage performance from the Derby but in the end they ran out more than comfortable winners. That’s now nine games unbeaten in the league for Scott Linton’s men. Next week sees the Chesters X1 travel to the Downhill Dome as the fixture computers hand them a quick chance to gain revenge. That match will be the Derby’s final fixture of 2011 and they will no doubt be keen to end the year on a real high.
