Ravens View of Derby

Last updated : 08 August 2005 By Mark R

Probably about 100 Albion fans on the train. We arrived into Derby on time and the Police were out in numbers, with the two pubs opposite the station not letting in away fans. No problem for us as we were heading for the Brunswick.

By 11.10 the beer was being pulled from the pumps and the conversation turned towards football (and beer). The Farmers Stout was lovely and the real ale drinkers said the various ones brewed on site lived up to the usual standard.

Gary arrived just after midday, plus Graham from the BHAlba, Drew soon turned up and the pub was getting very very busy. The cricket score kept filtering round the pub, as England regularly lost wickets.

I met up with a couple of Derby lads I know from England games and before you new it, it was 2.30 and time to walk the 20 minutes to the ground.

Feeling confident of a result (boy that stout was strong!), we soon joined the 1,500 or so Albion fans behind the goal. We had only just got back into the rhythm of watching football, singing and low and behold Hammond nods one into the net. The Derby keeper should have got to the cross from Dodd, but he didn't and we were dancing around the seats (I told you the stout was strong!).

5 minutes later and normality resumed as Peskishididladedo (possibly not how it is spelt!) thundered home the equaliser. After that the game ebbed and flowed.

Our back 4 had a superb game, all look comfortable to hold on to the ball and not hoof it. Henderson in goal fumbled one or two shots/crosses, but 1-1 at half time looked about fair.

2nd half and we could have gone a goal behind.

Peskishid...the Derby number 11 broke through our defence, Henderson advanced out of his goal and was drawn out wide, the cross came in and luckily the Derby forward nodded the ball over with Henderson out of the frame.

We soon had a change of Referee, the new bloke was a homer and gave us nothing. Then again the Derby fans were pleased to see the back of Curzon.

CKR up front was giving Derby hell, he was pulled down 3 times, the referee (the sub one) waved play on each time, thankfully the lino had seen enough and waved for our free kick at the third foul. They couldn't decide who did it (one Derby centre back is black, the other white with blond hair so quite amazing) so no booking or red card.

Leon took the free kick and hit the post. The final whistle was met with applause from us and not a lot from the Derby fans! A good point and a good display. We played some great passing football, lets see more of that please!

Henderson - 6 some dodgy moments, but gained confidence as the game went on

Dodd - 9 great game, showed experience and calmness as well as skill and just my MOTM

Butters - 7 solid, not much got past him

McShane - 9 great game, composed, skilful and quick, pushed Dodd very close for MOTM

Mayo - 8 confidence grew, pushed forward a lot, defended very well

Oatway - 7 my pick of the midfield players, never stopped running

Carpenter - 6 solid game, lots of tracking back

Hammond - 6 great goal, attacked whenever possible

Reid - 6 pushed forward, looked for balls to feet, good links with Dodd

Knight - 6 sat behind CKR, held the ball up well second half, unlucky with free kick

CKR - 7 good debut, put himself about and not scared to shoot. Looks a good prospect

No subs used

El-Abd, Martin, Hart, Robinson & Nicolas