for those who could not attend

Obviously I couldn't attend, and ramdini seems to be the victim of cyberbullying, so in the interests of posterity, here is his match report in its own, clearly defined article. Hopefully the spam thing will be removed, I for one find these reports insightful and gives me a better feel for how the game went to go along with the highlights.

So, from this point on its all ramdinis work.....



Opponents - Preston North End.
Referee David Webb
Crowd. David Webb. 25,257
Pitch and Conditions. Immaculate grass, heavy rain and nice early autumn day - good for football.
Interesting fact. They build aircraft - we build aircraft engines.
Team :-
Carson, Bogle, Keogh, Tomori, Forsyth.
Mount, Bryson, Leadley
.
Nugent, Bennett. Lawrence

Used subs :-
Wisdom for Bogle
Johnson for Leadley
Josefzoon for Bennett.

This game was as exciting as last Tuesday’s was boring. Preston showed a lot of skill and made for themselves two or three attempt on goal. As did Derby of course. The difference was Carson and more penetration up front. Carson made at least one great save whereas Rudd failed to stop Mounts shot when perhaps he should have saved. Preston had a lot of the ball. They passed with speed and precision but so did Derby. After a period of end to end ball play, Derbys started to look more in control with everyone having a good game and particularly Bogle and Bennett surging down the right wing and causing all sorts of trouble for PNE. Unfortunately Bogle picked up and injury which was great pity as he visible picked up confidence as the game progressed. Wisdom replaced him and he also had a good game but not as good as Bogle’s start.

After 40 minutes Carson passed the ball out to Bennett who, despite considerable pressure fro PNE’s midfield, managed to thread a great pass to Nugent on the right wing. Nugent controlled it and then put in a super cross to Mason Mount who had made a lot of ground as the move was developing. He took the ball, moved it around a couple of defenders and fired in a shot that Rudd could not stop. Derby gained immediate confidence from this - they relaxed and played better.

This continued into the second half and Derby gained in superiority as the game progressed. On 80 minutes Derby won a corner which Mount took and it went to skipper Keogh. By shear strength and determination he forced the ball over the lone to wrap things up. Mason Bennett had a shot which the goalie could only keep out by making a brilliant save. David Nugent was inches away when he spotted Rudd off his line when he was about 40 yards out on the right wing. He launched a shot which just failed to make it under the bar and dropped onto the net with Rudd scrabbling to get back.

Altogether it was a great performance by both sides. High endeavour, plenty of skill and determination. Derby defended well and comfortably edged it to repeat last week’s score and second consecutive clean sheet for another 3 points.

Who played well? Every Derby player and quite a few Preston players. Keogh really did have. great game and showed leadership. Bogle was outstanding until he got injured. He is a great asset and has a bright future I think. Carson saved brilliantly in the first half and kept us in the game. Forsyth played well as did Wisdom when he came on. Bradley Johnson replaced Leadley and played well part from once giving the ball away in a very dangerous position, Keogh cleaned things up. Bryson is returning to his dynamic best and never tires, Mount was very influential and it would be great if he enjoys himself at Derby and we get promoted and he decides to stay. Lawrence gets better and better. But Bennett was man of the match though it was a close run thing to Keogh. It is to be earnestly hoped that Bogle gets back after the break.