Match Report

Derby Ams (4) v EMTEC (0)

Date: 03/01/09
Team: 2nds
Match Type: League
Venue: Home
Opposition: EMTEC

With Christmas and the New Year’s festivities out of the way it was back down to business; today’s opponents Emtec, although bottom of the league we would not take them for granted. Sticking to our now familiar 4-4-2 formation we had only a couple of changes from the team that drew 1-1 at Eaton Hall College.

The game started with a Derby kick off, the ball being moved to the flanks and through the middle with Pateman looking for the ball and Crosby running across the line. Good early pressure soon saw the ball in our opponent’s penalty area; this seemed the norm in the first half. Derby’s first goal of the new year came quickly with Pateman working his way into the area and finding the back of the Emtec net. The football at times was not pretty and seemed very loose in midfield, but progress was being made out on the flanks with both Perry and Macmillan getting forward and putting crosses into the area, but the resulting efforts going high and wide at times.

Derby’s second goal came courtesy of Pateman who again got into Emtec’s area and evaded three or four challenges before slotting home 2-0. Derby’s flanks were being used by both full backs, Davis and Clay, who were providing balls for the forwards and wingers to use with no success in front of goal. Our third came via a through ball with Perry chased and took into his stride and slotted home his effort like a seasoned striker. The game wasn’t all one sided however and on a few occasions our opponents put some attacking moves together and got into our area but made no shots on target.

The second half started with a bang for Emtec who despite being 3-0 down were by no means defeated as from the restart they were shooting. It seemed that as derby’s midfield went to sleep Emtec’s came alive as they played balls forward and gained a few corners as a result, for these corners Derby’s defence stood firm with Selby and captain Razor clearing more than once. Second half subs McCrystal, Prymarch and Blackburn replacing Macmillan, Hart and Crosby in turn.

This seemed to revive Derby’s efforts and saw us attack more and Pateman grab his hat trick. Late efforts from Hosker and Blackburn nearly added to the 4-0 score line, most guilty of chances missed was Perry who himself could have had a hat trick today. A solid win to start the New Year but the performance was below par, not the effort, work rate and commitment we’ve seen in recent weeks which have seen us hold teams and stop conceding goals, let’s take this win and confidence and push up the table it’s no more than past performances have deserved.