21/08/11: Penshaw C.C.FC (3) v (4) New Derby
Scorers: Calvert 3, Gardner
Starting Team: Stothard (GK), Josh McGill (Bunyan), Horn (c), Scott, Taylor, Gardner, Binks, Hutchinson (Saddington), Dodsworth (Robson), Thompson, Calvert
Subs (Unused): Cruddace, Young, Boiston, Udale, Fullard
Yellows: None
Reds: None
A Rob Calvert hat-trick and a late Jonny Gardner goal helped the Derby to a 4-3 win over Division Three side, Penshaw C.C. FC, a result which sees the Derby advance into the second round of the League Cup.
Back to basics was the emphasis on Scott Linton’s team selection for this game as he returned to the starting line up which had served him so well for much of last season. Once again there three changes in defence with Ben Horn and Sam Scott reunited in the centre and the returning Josh McGill reclaiming his place at right back. New boys, Paul Bunyan and Stephen Robson paid the penalty for Tuesday’s debacle and started on the bench whilst David Hoey was away on holiday. There was also a double switch in midfield with fit again, Martin Hutchinson replacing Ross Carty and Jonny Gardner coming in for Dave Gourlay who was at a stag do.
The New Derby seemed to take note of Linton’s team talk and started the game positively making good use of the big pitch and keeping possession well.
There was no surprise when with just under ten minutes gone Rob Calvert opened the scoring. Following a fine through ball by Hutchinson, Calvert sprinted clear of his marker before firing an excellent shot past the keeper with the outside of his left boot.
The Derby doubled their lead after twenty minutes when Calvert grabbed his second of the game. A long ball out of defence was flicked on by Graham Binks into the path of Calvert and after the Derby forward neatly lifted the ball over a Penshaw defender he dispatched a stunning left foot half volley into the far right hand corner.
After doubling their advantage the Derby took their foot off the pedal somewhat and Penshaw started to get a foothold in the game. Only a timely last ditch tackle by Luke Taylor denied a Penshaw player a shot on goal.
Around ten minutes before half time and Penshaw pulled a goal back. A perfectly threaded through ball between Horn and McGill saw one of the Penshaw forwards bearing down on Stothard. He cleverly waited for the Derby keeper to go to ground before lifting the ball over him and into the back of the net.
Just before half time the Derby missed a good opportunity to restore their two goal cushion when Martin Thompson, rather surprisingly, sliced a shot wide from about ten yards out.
Half time came and went and after the early stages of the second period the Derby maintained their narrow advantage.
However, then came a horror ten minute spell for Scott Linton’s men. Firstly, Penshaw equalised when, following the needless concession of a free kick by Horn, a Penshaw player did a Ryan Taylor and curled the ball from just outside the left edge of the box over the wall and into the far top right hand corner.
Then, a couple of minutes later the turnaround was complete as Penshaw went ahead. A ball over the top was not dealt with and the Penshaw number 9 slipped the ball past Stothard from a narrow angle. A cup shock was now very much on the cards and the Derby seriously needed to get a grip and get back to playing the way they had done in the first twenty minutes of the match.
Penshaw buoyed by being in the lead started to look comfortable in possession whilst the Derby began chasing shadows in midfield. The Derby were also having trouble dealing with the long ball over the top. They were grateful to Stothard on three or four occasions for making excellent saves when faced with 1v1 situations.
As the second half reached its midway point, Linton made his first substitution bringing on Stephen Robson in place of the tiring, James Dodsworth.
With just under twenty minutes left on the clock, the Derby levelled proceedings again as Calvert completed his first hat-trick of the new season. A cross from the left saw Calvert lay the ball off to the oncoming Hutchinson. Just as it seemed that the Derby midfielder was about to notch his first of the campaign with a low effort into the bottom corner the Penshaw goalkeeper stuck out a left hand to divert the ball away from goal. Unfortunately for him though he was only able to push the ball out as far as Calvert and he made no mistake from the rebound sliding it into the empty net with his right foot.
It was now anyone’s game although it was pretty evident that it was looking very much like being a case of next goal the winner.
Following some confusion between the over officious referee and the Derby bench, Paul Bunyan was introduced in place of Josh McGill. Dec Boiston was initially supposed to be coming on but the referee deemed the substitute to be illegal due to not having written the player’s name in his notebook before the game. Shortly afterwards, Nigel Saddington was also brought on. Martin Hutchinson was the man to make way and he received a standing ovation from the Derby touchline who were all no doubt delighted to see their playmaker play so well on his return from a thigh strain.
Both teams continued to attack in the hope of avoiding extra time by netting a potentially winning goal but as the game entered the final ten minutes it was still all square.
Then, with eight minutes left on the referee’s watch, the Derby scored what would ultimately prove to be the winning goal. A ball in behind the Penshaw defence by Luke Taylor put Martin Thompson through on goal. Time seemed to stand still as he advanced with the ball. Having composed himself his finish was a pretty tame one and was comfortably saved by the keeper but much like the Derby third goal he was unable to hang onto the shot. The ball dribbled out to Jonny Gardner, who was following up, on the six yard line and he steered the ball round the covering defender on the goal line and into the net to send the Derby touchline into raptures.
Penshaw through everything including the kitchen sink (otherwise known as one of the Penshaw centre halves) at the Derby in the final stages but the men in amber held out to record a much needed first win of the season and ensure progression into the second round of the League Cup.
Having successfully put behind them the lows of their last match the Derby will be hoping to build on this morale boosting win in their next game which sees them travel to the Fulwell Mill Arena to face The Victory Club in a hotly anticipated Division Two encounter.
