06/11/11: The Halfway House FC (0) v (5) New Derby FC
Scorers: Thompson (2), Calvert (2), Smiles
Starting Team: Stothard (GK), Ashman, Horn (c) (Taylor), Scott, Bunyan, Smiles, Gourlay, Hutchinson, Robson (Wright), Thompson, Calvert (Young)
Subs (Unused): None
Yellows: None
Reds: None
On bonfire weekend the New Derby turned in a sparkling performance, their best of the season, to blow away Halfway House FC. The Derby had far too much firepower for their opponents as they ran out convincing 5-0 winners.
Scott Linton handed a debut to James Smiles as he replaced Luke Taylor in what was the only change to the side which started the cup game against Silksworth Fleece a week earlier. Smiles’ inclusion on the right of midfield saw Stephen Robson switch to the left wing.
The Derby started well on the slick Rolls Royce playing surface playing some excellent passing football.
For the third game in a row the Derby went ahead with less than ten minutes on the clock. A clearance by Ben Horn was collected by Rob Calvert on the Derby right wing. He then proceeded to waltz past the Halfway House left back before squaring the ball to Martin Thompson who was left with an easy tap in from close range.
Shortly after the goal, Halfway House made a goalkeeping substitution – their usual keeper, who was late in turning up, had finally arrived and he was brought on. One of his first contributions was to clean out Calvert as the two challenged for a high ball just inside the penalty area.
The Derby continued to knock the ball around nicely and on a couple of occasions only a poor final ball denied a decent shooting opportunity.
Captain, Ben Horn, came very close to opening his account for the season but his glancing header from Stephen Robson’s free kick flew just past the wrong side of the post.
As the second half progressed, Halfway House began to come into the game a bit more. There were some particularly fierce tackles flying in. Robson was the unfortunate victim of one round his knee which left the Derby player rolling on the floor in agony. Iain Ashman and Ben Horn ensured the Derby didn’t miss out either as they scored a couple of big hits on Halfway House players.
The Derby defence were holding firm and coping very well with the long ball tactics that Halfway House were using. Stothard in the Derby goal was having a relatively quiet morning although when required he didn’t disappoint. He made one outstanding save diving bravely at full stretch to prevent a Halfway House forward from putting the finishing touches to a header across goal.
With eight minutes of the first half remaining, Stothard played a massive part in the Derby doubling their advantage. His long kick forward saw Calvert gallop clear and the Derby forward drilled a half volley from the edge of the box past the motionless keeper and into the bottom left hand corner. That goal was a much needed confidence booster for the Derby marksmen.
The Derby retained possession well for the remainder of the first period and went in two goals clear at the break.
After the half time interval the Derby continued to stamp their authority on proceedings.
On fifty four minutes the Derby went three goals ahead. Calvert outstripped the Halfway House right back for pace before squaring it to James Smiles, who made it a debut to remember by slotting the ball home.
Halfway House were struggling to threaten the Derby defence and a couple of efforts from long range were about the best they could muster.
With just over twenty minutes remaining, Stephen Robson almost scored a goal of the season contender but his excellently hit left foot volley from twenty yards was pushed round the post by the keeper. The reprieve for Halfway House was short lived as from the resulting corner Calvert scored his second and the Derby’s fourth goal of the game. The corner was only half cleared to Smiles on the edge of the box. He then laid the ball off to Calvert who took one touch to set himself before curling an absolute peach of a left footed effort into the far corner of the net.
Shortly after the goal Calvert was replaced by Adam Young with Stephen Robson also withdrawn. Ben Horn, who was complaining of tightness in one of his thunder thighs was also brought off with manager Linton not wanting to take any risks with his best defender. Luke Taylor came on – a move which saw Paul Bunyan shuffle across to centre half.
The New Derby made it five as the game entered the final six minutes. Smiles played the ball to Martin Thompson just inside the opposition half and the Derby man of the match did the rest. He danced through the Halfway House defence before firing an unerring shot into the corner.
In the final stages, Thompson almost grabbed a hat-trick but he saw his shot saved at his near post by the keeper. Had Thompson not been looking for a treble he may well have squared the ball to a totally unmarked Adam Young who would have been left with an easy tap in.
The Derby celebrated at the final whistle what was unquestionable their best performance of the season so far. Martin Thompson for his goals and work rate was the right choice for man of the match although special mentions must go to Rob Calvert, Iain Ashman (if only because he asked for one!) and debutant James Smiles. The Derby will hope that a display like that will kick start their season. Next week the Derby welcome Division Two pacesetters, Kings Arms FC, to the Downhill Dome with Scott Linton’s men out for revenge after a narrow 6-5 defeat in the reverse fixture on the opening weekend of the season.
