08/04/12: Inn Place (4) v (3) New Derby FC
Scorers: Calvert, Thompson 2
Starting Team: Stothard (GK), Bunyan, Horn, Dodsworth, Waites, Scott (Fisher), Binks (Taylor), Hutchinson, Robson, Thompson, Calvert
Subs (Unused): Boiston, Wright, Young
Yellows: None
Reds: None
A late Inn Place goal deprived the Derby of a point as they won a seven goal thriller 4-3.
Scott Linton switched to a 3-5-2 formation as he attempted to contend with the Inn Place side who had given his team a run around in the earlier league meeting. Steve Udale was injured so Jordan Stothard, despite not being fully fit, was deployed in goal.
The Derby started well and took the lead inside the first ten minutes when Thompson’s neat flick put Rob Calvert through and he dispatched a right foot shot past the keeper into the bottom right hand corner.
Inn place grew into the game and would have levelled but for a stunning save low down by Stothard to keep out a header.
As the first half reached its midway point, Inn Place were handed the opportunity to equalise when referee, Kevin Raine, spotted Sam Scott’s needless push on an opponent in the penalty area. The resulting spot kick was easily converted.
Both teams played some neat football and saw opportunities come and go and it looked like the scores would remain level at the break.
However, right on half time, Inn Place went ahead when a cross from the right sailed straight over the helpless Stothard and into the top left hand corner of the net. It was a real sucker punch for the Derby.
Rather than feel sorry for themselves the Derby came out positively after the interval and within ten minutes of the restart they grabbed an equaliser of their own. A ball into the box fell at the feet of Martin Thompson and he made no mistake in turning and knocking the ball home.
Equilibrium didn’t last long though as Inn Place regained their advantage shortly afterwards. A cross from the right was drilled home on the volley at the back post.
The Derby kept fighting though and they were rewarded with just over twenty minutes remaining when Thompson grabbed his second goal of the game to make the score 3-3. Once again the Derby striking duo showed good link up skills as Calvert headed the ball on for Thompson to sprint clear and slide the ball past the keeper.
Inn Place enjoyed the better of the closing stages as the Derby tired and their pressure paid off with four minutes to go when the Inn Place left winger was played in and he drilled a shot past Stothard at his near post.
The Derby almost snatched a dramatic equaliser right at the death but after a flowing move which deserved a goal, Dodsworth’s shot came back off the left hand upright.
Despite the end result, the Derby can take a number of positives out of the game. Next up comes a home game against Washington River Bar where a win will almost certainly guarantee the Derby a top four finish.
