Yes, another fine day, another fine victory…probably the best yet this season. In a must-win game (if we’re to finish top 2) and a must-not-lose game for Derby (protecting their top 2 status) WE WON. And deservedly too, which is not what I’ve often said this season. For once, that narrow 2-1 victory was THE LEAST we deserved after dominating throughout. I heard someone say ‘only one side was trying to play football and that was us.’ I’d say Derby were TRYING, but for a side who were/are 2nd in the league, they were strangely lacking in the ability to put a pass together in our half. They reminded me very much of Washday last season, relying on a left footed veteran (Hourihane) delivering deadballs in hope rather than expectation.
Still, they went one nil up. Of course they did. We’d been warned, as Cadden headed off the line for a corner. No matter, we let the Rams have a completely free header from the resultant deadball, though how it crawled through a crowd of players before a late-sighted lunge from Cadden failed to clear, I’ll never know. I thought the idea of bringing in a 6ft 5 centre half was that we’d never concede this kind of goal EVER AGAIN. Mind, I noticed Derby marked the keeper throughout on corners. Why don’t we do that (if it’s one of those refs who allow it)?
Ah, the ref. I bumped into Darryl (loudest person in the world) at full-time. He was proper laying into the supply. (If you hadn’t kept up, Derby moaned on that the original ref, one of the Madleys – I forget which...Andy? – used to play junior football for the Reds, therefore was going to be entirely biased in our favour. I could have argued the opposite, since we rejected him at 16 and presumably killed his chances of ever being a professional footballer, but there it is). Anyway, Madley was replaced late by the supply teacher, who performed admirably, annoying both sets of fans. Reedy is still probably raging at Derby being allowed to take a free kick for offside inside OUR half...but for me, this was just evidence of what Derby (Hourihane) had been doing throughout...pinching 10 yards for every free kick. I’ve since read that Derby felt we got away with timewasting once we were 2-1 up. Did we? Our keeper was carded for taking less than half the time their keeper took to take a deadball 1st half (was the ref unaware the Rams would happily take a point, if not 3?).
Thankfully, we were on level terms just after the half hour when Phillips was given time and space on the edge of their box to control a ball 6 yards, let it bounce, then crash it into the far corner. BOOM. Appalling defending (just saying). If you want a comparison, look at how we conceded at home to Exeter, as a poor headed clearance ended with Aitchison scoring. Credit to Phillips for the actual finish though.
Ah, Phillips. It must be true what these environmentalists have been saying. Early Springs, warm Winters...the wildlife are confused. And so it is, that after 3 months of hibernation, Adam has spring from his hiding place (leafage, under a hedge, somewhere in Wombwell?) to set fire to this promotion race in February. Two games in a row he’s bagged 2 to bring us from behind to win. And 2 games in a row he’s scored the same goal, flicking on a header from a set piece (this week a corner, Leyton Orient a free kick). While they all mark space or the big lads, Phillips ghosts in to flick home. I suspect we won’t get away with it next match.
That still left half an hour or so (9 mins injury time!) and with Pines becoming more confident with what his feet could do, the only danger was Cadden’s inability to defend one-on-one situations down the left. He only got beaten 3 times (by a simple ‘knock it past him and run on to it’) before being hauled (O’Keefe on to the right, Jordan switching to the left). Mind, we still had the spectacle of their keeper coming up for a corner. I love a keeper coming up for a corner, even if it’s Derby. Ball cleared, we’re 3 on 2 into an open net. Cotter runs to the halfway line, and tries kicking it 50 yards. It gets 30, but no worries, here’s Cosgrove to control it and lift it into an empty net. Sorry, here’s Cosgrove to miscontrol the ball and kickstart a last gasp Derby attack. Love it. The top 2 challenge is ON. Well, until Bolton destroy us a week on Tuesday, a la Ipshit last season.
Onwards and upwards!
*** Phillips, AKA ‘The Hedgehog’.
** The Frenchman. Solid, and brought the ball out well.
* Earl. Him and MDG either side of the domineering Pines? I like it.
Official MOTM: Connell
Londontykes’ MOTM: 1. Phillips 2. Earl 3. De Givigny
Despatches:
Great team effort. Roberts made a couple of good saves and punched one out well, despite pressure. Cadden was excellent going forward (and provided the corner for Phillips’ 2nd). Jordan had another good game at RWB (great decision Collins!). Pines looked an accident waiting to happen early doors, and I’m still not convinced he knows what he’s doing with his feet. Why did Derby always stand 15 yards off him? He looked ripe for the press, but dominated the air. ‘USA! USA!’
I thought Connell had an excellent game moving around the pitch and putting in challenges, while Kane was comfortable. McAtee had a poor game, making the runs but forever finding himself the wrong side of the defender who simply cleared. Once again, Cosgrove made a difference coming on (we were drawing till his introduction). It also gave Derby licence to grab, push, shove and barge a Reds player without fear of retribution from the officials. (Maybe one game a season, we can have a match without fouls being punished, a sort of football version of Rollerball (great film)). Cole ran his absolute blood to water and provided crucial pressure on the Derby back 4. Oh, and we managed to get both right backs off the bench, Cotter bringing renewed energy to the right wing. (He’s very popular where I sit, or is it everywhere in the ground folk are shouting ‘Go on Barry!’ while laughing?)
And a note for the atmosphere. Certainly the best this season. Numbers, noise, big away following, winning, scarves waved. It’s so simple, innit?
Drink du jour: Tiny Rebel Easy Livin’ pale ale, a nice, but not as nice replacement for that Flock stuff.
Away: 4,995 or ‘How to silence nearly 5,000 away fans.’
The Damage:
c.£8 petrol
= c.£8
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