For Those Who Could not Attend

Date 4th May 2019
Opponents West Bromwich Albion
Team :- Roos, Bogle, Keogh, Tomori, Malone.
Mount, Johnson Wilson
Waghorn, Lawrence. Wilson.
Subs:- Carson, Marriott, MacDonald, Bennett, Huddlestone, Nugent
Referee :- Tim Robinson
Attendance :- 32,055
Conditions. Cool, dry and grey.
Pitch, Green and well cared for.

All is to play for - depending on other results, Derby could already be in the play-offs though Rotherham are not expected to turnover Boro. If we win - we certainly are. It’s all in our hands, so we need a full-blooded performance by the lads, a goal or two more for us than them, and it’s welcome to Pride Park to the Filthies in White.. Good luck to the lads, Frank and all fans. May we get a good referee and no spies allowed.

And it proved to be a very exciting game with two very good teams. From the outset both teams played with energy and skill and you could see why WBA are in the top six. They had a couple of easy chances to Gayle and Murphy which they wasted. Derby had a couple of good chances too but they also were spurned. The game continued at high speed from end to end until, after 20 minutes Duane Holmes who was having a lot of influence - played a beautiful pass to Bogle on the right wing which he hit first time for a sublime cross which allowed Waggy to head it past Johnson the goalie just inside his RH post. It was superb goal which completely cut out the Baggies defence. Worryingly both Malone and Waggy were injured by callous tackles (which may have been tactical injuries). Malone ran of his chest injury but in spite of trying hard, Waggy finally came off to be replaced by Nugent. At this juncture there was inevitable speculation as to what crime Marriott has committed in training or otherwise. Nugent didn’t seem to be the natural sub with so much of the game still to play. Nevertheless, the game continued with WBA gradually becoming more dangerous. Derby were glad to go in at half time to, hopefully regroup.

It, however was not to be. They came out in very lackadaisical style and allowed West Brom back into the game with a very well taken goal by Johansen with no visible input from Derby’s defence. It was extremely disappointing and worrying because by now Boro were 2-0 up at Rotherham meaning Derby had to win to qualify. The Baggies then seriously threatened the Derby goal for a very anxious few minutes until another attack in numbers saw Mount (or Wilson, it was at the far end and hard to tell) shoot from close range. The ball hit the goalie and bounced out to Mason Bennett who put it past Johnson delightedly. Frank has certainly something of value in Bennett’s strength and extreme persistence. The relief in the crowd was palpable. And now that Booro score did not matter. Two minutes later Tom Lawrence - who had been superb all afternoon, picked up the ball on the left wing and made one of his high speed, mazy runs past several defenders and into the area. He was brought down and the ref blew for the penalty. It was taken by Harry Wilson for his 17th goal of the season. After that, all was joy and satisfaction.

My Man of the Match was Bogle. He had a superb game in defence and in attack which, it must be remembered, was against a very effective Baggies team. Young Bogle has come a very long way this season. My runner up was Lawrence - though if Waggy had stayed on for longer, he might well have been a contender. All of Derby’s team and subs had great games and The Rams were very worthy winners, with what must be great hopes of doing well in the play-off games. Leeds - watch out. In added time Robson Kanu was sent of with starlight red card - for violent conduct against Bradley Johnson. He will miss the play-off games v Aston Villa.