19th Feb Mens 2nd Vs Leicester Uni - If under pressure apply Harry Hill style

This week found a strong Derby team against Leicester Uni.

This fixture found a return of Ben Taylor and Dave Green to the team.

The team were looking for much needed three points and we certainly had a strong team to pursue this goal. The game started a bit scrappy and attacks from both sides. Ever reliable Ross Richards clearing the D has become standard procedure these days for our heavy defensive season. Ian McWilliams and Sam Taylor were reunited in defensive mid with Alex stepping into a centre role and enjoying his new regular position playing with the 2nds to allow Dave back on right.

Pete Chesney enjoyed his regular left wing spot and Rambo taking his forward role reminding me I forgot to mention his goal and assists last week.

Derby took the lead from our well trained routine of slipping the ball to Ross. Leicester Uni were not put off with our early lead and equalised in the following 10 minutes from a very well struck hit.

The play continued with both teams equal to the task and no real clear winner. The half time whistle blew and Captain Bunker announced the plan for the second half. Play the same as the first half….. actually made sense.

Ben took the push to start the second half and all the team were keeping the passes simple and short. The ball was within the D and Ben wailed that the ball had slipped under the goalie and passed the line before the keeper cleared. The umpires agreed and Derby took a controversial 2-1 advantage. This visiters were clearly unhappy with the call and play was delayed until it was clear the call would not be reversed.

Derby continued to apply pressure and soon had a number of opportunities to score. This is when the Leicester Uni keeper was accidently hit in the grill by Ben flicking a shot on goal. The keeper obviously felt begruddged by the earlier goal decision and decided he disliked Bens woeful shot enough to drop pads and go for a push punch move. Ben being the ….bigger man? (take as you will)…gave some back and Paul Bradley had no choice but to show both players a yellow. Personally, I think the Harry Hill approach from Ben would find out the true winner….. only one way to find out?

This stopped the game for a good 5-10minutes whilst the Leicester keeper stripped to kit up an outfield player. Play soon resumed and the flow of the match was ruined. After a time of total mayhem on the pitch the clock was stopped again to allow the keeper back on and to get his kit back on. Matt took this time to gather the Derby players and reminded a need to stay focused if we were to win.

The game resumed and the visitors found an equaliser. Frustrations were high but Derby played to its plan and soon were awarded by a redeeming goal from Ben. This followed with a heavy defensive spell for Derby and Darren Howard clearing a cricket style block on the line from a short corner opportunity. On a side note we have not conceded a goal in the last three fixtures from short corners and this was a great advantage in this fixture.

With the end in sight Derby put the game to bed with Ben scoring his second from a post rebound shot courtesy of Rambo… no Rambo you cannot have an assist for that sadly.

Man of the Match: Cant be Ben for the controversial goal call or goalie loving session. Alex again for his composure in attacking mid throughout the match and running hard into space to create chances.

Dick of the Day: Ben? Well would be harsh but Andy Brodie is awarded this for pointing out we were winning 2-1 and that means we have one more goal than Leicester….. well spotted there Dr!