23/10/11: New Derby FC (1) v (0) The Victory Club
Scorers: Hutchinson
Starting Team: Stothard (GK) (Linton), Ashman, Horn (c), Scott, Robson, Dodsworth (Boiston), Binks (Bunyan), Hutchinson, Gourlay, Thompson, Calvert
Subs (Unused): Jake McGill
Yellows: Binks
Reds: None
A rare goal from Martin Hutchinson, his first for the club, helped the Derby edge past big rivals, The Victory Club, and advance into the quarter finals of the Solex Manufacturing Cup.
Scott Linton dismissed any suggestions that he would field a weakened team in the cup by naming the strongest possible starting line up he could. Paul Bunyan, now fit again following an ankle injury, was named alongside Dec Boiston and Jake McGill on the substitutes bench.
The Victory started out with a 4-5-1 formation designed to frustrate their opponents but their plans to keep the Derby out suffered a blow when after seven minutes the home side were awarded a penalty. Stephen Robson got down the Victory right and crossed the ball in to Rob Calvert who was then taken down in the box by Mark Dryden. Despite appearing to get a touch on the ball, referee Ron Alcock decided that the Victory defender had come through the back of the Derby forward to get it and had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot. Calvert picked himself up to take the penalty but slipped as he was striking the ball and his kick went almost straight down the middle of the goal and was saved by Swan. Fortunately for the Derby, the Victory keeper could only parry the ball out and Martin Hutchinson reacted quicker than everyone else to fire home the rebound.
Calvert was proving to be a thorn in the Victory’s side. He fired one effort over the bar whilst another was thwarted by an excellent save from Swan.
Martin Thompson headed over from close range although Sam Scott’s header which found Thompson may well have been destined for the net itself had the Derby forward left the ball alone.
On twenty five minutes James Dodsworth was forced off the field following a tough tackle on him by Victory midfielder, Anth Collins. It later transpired that Dodsworth had suffered a recurrence of the hamstring injury which had seen him substituted in the Derby’s previous game. Dec Boiston was brought on to replace Dodsworth.
Boiston was soon into the thick of the action. First he hit the angle of post and bar with a quite magnificent volleyed effort from just outside the penalty area. Then, having been put clear his right footed cross was headed over the bar by Hutchinson, who was totally unmarked about seven yards from goal. It was a chance the Derby midfield playmaker should really have taken.
The Victory had rarely tested the Derby backline but in the final stages of the first period they did finally manage a couple of efforts at goal. Steve Jackson had a free kick blocked by the New Derby wall whilst Victory skipper, Greg Davison, put a headed effort narrowly over the bar.
At the break the Derby lead by that solitary Hutchinson goal.
The second half started slowly with both teams struggling to retain possession.
Martin Thompson saw an effort well saved low down by Swan whilst Calvert also dragged a left footed shot narrowly wide of the post.
Swan was once again at his best to deny an effort at point blank range from Thompson and frustratingly for the Derby the rebound fell to a Victory defender, rather than one of the Derby attackers who were waiting, and was hacked to safety.
Just as things seemed to be going smoothly for the Derby they suffered a setback. Following a Peter Harding shot which just cleared the Derby crossbar, Jordan Stothard went to take the resulting goal kick but collapsed in agony holding his knee. When it became clear that Stothard was unable to continue, Derby manager, Scott Linton, took it upon himself to don the gloves and play the remaining twenty or so minutes in goal.
Shortly afterwards, the Victory were fortunate not to be reduced to ten men when Simon Mountford clumsily tripped Rob Calvert as he was sprinting through on goal. While the Derby touchline bayed for blood the referee took the lenient view and decided that given it was only a game of Sunday League football a yellow card was sufficient punishment. Dave Gourlay took the free kick from just outside the area and Swan, at full stretch, palmed the ball round his post for a corner.
In the final quarter of an hour, the Victory started to commit more bodies forward. Greg Davison’s, Rory Delap style, long throw-ins were proving a real threat but credit must go to Derby captain, Ben Horn, who got his big head to virtually every one which made its way into the box. The Derby also had a lucky escape when an in swinging corner by Mark Dryden struck the crossbar. Linton tried to claim he had tipped the ball onto the bar but replays proved to be inconclusive.
Dec Boiston had a real chance to kill the game with a little over ten minutes remaining when he was put clean through by Calvert but his finish lacked any composure as he blazed the ball high, wide and not very handsome.
With five minutes remaining, the Victory almost grabbed an unlikely equaliser. A sublime slide rule pass by Peter Harding bisected Sam Scott and Stephen Robson and found its way to Scott Hunter. However, the Victory winger was only able to sky his shot well over the bar from just inside the area.
Former, Victory player, Paul Bunyan, was greeted by his now customary torrent of abuse from both Victory players and supporters alike as he came on for the final minute in an attempt to run the clock down. In fact he didn’t even get the opportunity to touch the ball as a few seconds later, Ron Alcock brought a close to proceedings.
All in all despite the close nature of the scoreline there was only ever going to be one winner of this game. Credit must go to the Victory for their efforts and commitment but ultimately they lacked any real punch in the attacking third. The Derby, while being pleased to have won the game, will know that they will need to be more clinical in front of goal against better teams. Following the end of the 4pm Sky Sports Super Sunday match, the draw was carried out by Gary Neville and Jamie Redknapp for the quarter finals of Solex Manufacturing Cup and the Derby were given a home tie against the side currently occupying second place in Division Three, Grange Park. That tie is to be played on Sunday 4th December. Next up for the Derby this coming Sunday is another cup game at the Downhill Dome – this time in the Total Sport Challenge Trophy against Silksworth Fleece.
