12/02/12: New Derby FC (1) v (3) Inn Place
Scorer: Waites
Starting Team: Udale (GK), Josh McGill (Wright), Horn (c), Bunyan, Robson, Waites, Binks, Gourlay, Dodsworth (Hutchinson), Thompson, Calvert (Scott)
Subs (Unused): Boiston, Taylor
Yellows: None
Reds: None
The New Derby slipped to their first league loss since the end of August as current table toppers, Inn Place, ran out 3-1 victors following a second half comeback.
Derby manager, Scott Linton returned to the 4-4-2 formation which had served him and his team so well this season. Steve Udale continued in goal behind a back four made up of Josh McGill, Ben Horn, Paul Bunyan and Stephen Robson. The midfield four consisted of James Waites, Dave Gourlay, Graham Binks and James Dodsworth. Leading the line was the dynamic duo of Martin Thompson and Rob Calvert. Sam Scott returned from suspension but was only amongst the substitutes where he was joined rather surprisingly by Martin Hutchinson.
The early stages were pretty even with both teams struggling to get to grips with the extremely difficult pitch conditions.
Inn Place had the first opportunity when a shot from just outside the area was beaten away by Udale. From the resulting corner a couple of Derby defenders were out quickly to block a goal bound shot.
The Derby responded shortly afterwards when they almost took the lead. A ball into the area from a free kick found its way to the back post but the Derby were unable to force the ball home in the midst of a goalmouth scramble.
As the first half neared its midway point the home side went ahead. A good through
ball by Graham Binks found James Waites just inside the right edge of the penalty area. He neatly skipped inside his marker before firing a shot past the Inn Place keeper at his near post.
Inn Place seemed to be spurred on by the concession of the goal and started to take control of the game. Only some desperate last ditch defending and woeful finishing saw the Derby hold onto their lead as half time approached.
In fact half time came a couple of minutes earlier than scheduled after one of the Inn Place players suffered a nasty gash to his knee following a firm but fair 50/50 tackle by Martin Thompson. The player was helped off the pitch where he had the wound strapped up whilst he waited for the ambulance which had been phoned.
The second half began poorly for Scott Linton’s men as with less than ten minutes of the second period gone they conceded an equaliser. Despite Inn Place starting the second half on top there goal owed lots to a slice of luck. A ball into the box struck Bunyan and ricocheted perfectly for the Inn Place midfielder who took a couple of strides forward before slipping a shot past Udale and into the net.
Almost immediately after the goal, Linton introduced Martin Hutchinson in place of James Dodsworth, a move which saw Dave Gourlay shifted out to the left wing.
The Inn Place were now bossing things and just before the hour mark they were given the opportunity to take the lead when a careless and somewhat unnecessary tackle by captain, Ben Horn, resulted in a penalty. However, despite the spot kick being a reasonable one, Steve Udale plunged to his left and kept the ball out. Bunyan was the quickest to react to the loose ball and he smuggled the ball behind for a corner. From the resulting corner, Inn Place went close again but Udale did excellently again, this time to palm a shot over the crossbar. The Derby’s luck finally ran out as from that next corner they committed the cardinal sin as the tallest player on the pitch wasn’t marked anywhere nearly tightly enough and he powered a header past the helpless Udale from ten yards out.
The Derby showed flickering signs of life but the front two were finding life extremely difficult against a well organised and accomplished defence. Calvert did have two good opportunities but sadly both came and went.
With a little over twenty minutes remaining, Inn Place doubled their advantage and in reality all but sealed the points. After the Derby gave away a free kick just inside the Inn Place half a long punt forward caused confusion between Udale and Robson and the Derby keeper, who had come outside of his area, was beaten to ball by the Inn Place right winger and he lifted the ball over the keeper and it rolled into the back of the empty net.
As the Derby chased a way back into the match, Linton made a double alteration hauling off Calvert and Josh McGill and sending on Mark Wright and Sam Scott, who was deployed as a makeshift striker.
In fact it almost proved to be an inspired change as Scott almost pulled a goal back. He showed neat footwork inside the box to beat his marker but just as he was about to pull the trigger he was denied by a brilliant last ditch covering tackle from the other centre half.
Inn Place played keep ball during the final stages as they settled for a 3-1 score line, a result which sees them now pull ahead at the top of the Division Two table.
The Derby will quickly want to forget about today’s performance especially in the second half and know that they will need to improve in their next game. That next game comes on Sunday at the Silksworth Sports Complex against Hendon Vics in what is sure to be another closely fought contest between two sides that are pushing for promotion.
