New Derby 4-0 Victory Club
The Victory's next match was away to Division 2 form team New Derby. Unlike previous weeks Steve Jackson had a decent number of lads to choose from and even had subs!
He decided to hand debuts to Michael "Rooney" Snowdon and Iain Ray whilst two other new signings Andrew Hodgson and Alan Tench started on the bench as he tried to give lads who had stayed loyal a chance to prove themselves ahead of next season.
The opening exchanges were scrappy and this was summed up by some meaty challeges from both sides, one by Rob Timm in the first minute which set the tone for the half.
Ref Derek Callaghan; who was struggling to control the game first dipped into his pocket to book Peter Harding for a trip when there had clearly been stronger challenges. From the resulting free kick the Derby seemed to get in each others way as they tried to scramble the ball home but the ball fell gratefully into the arms of Swan. Swan was tested again moments later but he got down well to parry the ball to safety.
Just before the break a needless melay broke out when Jonny Lewis blatently tripped Rob Calvert, Callaghan gave a free kick. The Derby player though was rolling around like he had been shot and as Lewis tried to pull him to his feet Calvert according to wtnesses struck the Victory player in the face which went unpunnished by the ref.
Around 5 minutes later the New Derby posed another attack with a two on one situation, Calvert could have clearly rolled it square to Thompson for an easy tap in but instead balloned a shot way over the bar much to the disgust of his strike partner.
Anth Collins who was being his industriest self in Midfield then crudely took Graham Binks down, and the Derby man took exception by grabbing Collins around the throat in anger. The resulting free kick came to nothing and neither player was punnished.
Half Time
The Victory who had battled hard had done okay but knew they would have to step it up to stay with their opponents.
The Victory started okay but as the rain fell the Derby again took control and wasted a couple of chances before making their break through just before the hour mark, when the Vics lost the ball on half way former Victory man Stephen Robson broke and whipped in a superb ball into the area and James Waites was on the six yard line to put the ball in the net.
The Derby must not have been concentrating moments later as the Victory almost equalised sub Tench crossed for Peter Harding who's shot was smartly saved by 'keeper Steve Udale. Moments later Robson was at it again and another superb cross between defender and Goalkeeper left Derby player Hutchinson on the line but he somehow missed but the ball popped off his toe straight onto the head of former Vics' Manager Graham Binks who headered the ball home from a yard.
Jonny Lewis and Iain Ray were both replaced for Lee Skelland and Simon Mountford in the aftermath of the goal.
Scott Hunter then had a looping shot which was saved by Udale who tipped the ball onto the bar. Davison and Harding also had tame efforts but it wasn't going to be the Victory's day.
Two more goals followed in the final 15 mins, Calvert picked up the ball ran through into the box but went over under a challenge from Mountford (who felt Calvert had dived), penalty given. Dave Gourlay stepped up to make it 3.
A fourth was added when a tired Victory tried to play an offside trap and Martin Thompson fired a shot in that although Swan probably should have saved, squirmed under his body to give the scoreline a glossy look at the finish.
At full time, Steve Jackson was pleased with his sides endeavour but knows that stamina and possesion will be key next season as they look to bounce back.
