Match Report

Derby Ams (1) v Eaton Hall (4)

Date: 07/03/09
Team: 2nds
Match Type: League
Venue: Home
Opposition: Eaton Hall

Playing at home on a slightly windy day and with 8 of last week’s team missing this fixture was going to be difficult but a wind was needed all the same to stave off relegation; this was a chance for our fringe players to stake a claim and perform like some players haven’t of late. Derby started the game with the wind in the first half and got off to a nervous start with Eaton putting early pressure on full backs McCrystal and D. Hart. The football wasn’t pretty and we managed to get the ball forward to strikers Crosby and Fisher but getting into our opponents area proved a little difficult.

As the first half went on our opponent’s possession and probing down both flanks started to bear fruit with Derby’s back four under pressure and chances created, a low hard cross from the edge of the area saw Eaton take the lead with the effort turned in at the near post. Another goal came soon afterward to see the score at 2-0. We still tried to get the ball down and play some passing football and use both Macmillan and Perry on the flanks, this started to come good with crosses into the area and a few ranged efforts although high and wide at least we were making ourselves know. A good ball from M. Hart saw Perry race through one on one with their goal keeper and slot ball home to make it 2-1 and to give us some hope.

With half time looming Eaton went 3-1 up with Clay putting the ball out for a throw and being out of position a quick ball into the box saw the ball volleyed home. A change of keeper at half time saw Blackburn come on for Cartwright, the kick off saw Derby start the half a little slow but the effort picked up and soon saw us but balls beyond their back four for Fisher to chase but time and again we were on the back foot as pressure was again brought to bare on both full backs and the ball finding strikers ready to have a shot at goal.

With the second half wearing on and only a few efforts on goal managed by Derby the balance of play saw Eaton push forward and get some shots off , after our keeper was beaten a great goal line clearance from close range by captain Moss-Pierce kept the score at 3-1. Changes saw D. Hart and Clay replaced by Howes and Wain but by now the game was out of reach and just before full time a late goal saw the score line finish 4-1.

Of the players that came in today mention goes to M. Fisher who tirelessly roamed the front line and produced the work rate that’s lacked a little in recent weeks, again today the same old voices were herd the communication needs to be better to help the whole team perform better. On the whole boys this was a better effort especially in the 2nd half which saw them restricted to shooting from range but also the tracking back by the midfield also frustrated the opposition.