Hughes Heading To Wembley? - I Ram!
Monday, 12th May 2014 13:30 by Daniel J Sewart

When Craig Bryson was ruled out through injury, Rams fans could have been forgiven for a momentary heart flutter, but it turned out that the he who replaced him, produced a moment of brilliance that paved the way to Wembley for Derby.

Derby were dominant in the opening half hour but as has been the story many times this season, dominance did not result in goals. That was until the Rams golden boy (worth at least 25 million pounds now surely?) produced a sublime touch to knock down the first bricks of a wall that soon came crashing down on Brighton.

Some brilliant work from Jamie Ward allowed him to get a pin point ball to Hughes in the box, who instead of trapping the ball, deftly re-directed it into goal past the Seagulls keeper. The type of goal that leaves you delirious, the type of goals that wins you big matches — the kid is a star!

The moment of absolute genius from Hughes, washed away the nerves and unlocked the gates for his fellow troops to storm the city after half time with Derby ahead 3-1 on aggregate at the break.

HT: 1 — 0 (agg: 3-1)

In the second half it was Ward again who turned creator when his teasing ball into the box looked like it would be cut off by a duo of Brighton defenders, that was before the greediest goal poacher in the League, Mr. Chris Martin, showed what true desperation and desire to win looks like as he burst between them both and poked the ball home from close range.

From here it was smooth sailing as Derby were cruising and the visitors spirit had been sucked dry as Brighton tired and faced the nightmare of two consecutive playoff failures.

The Rams made it 3-0 with a rocket from George Thorne who hit a spectacular volley as the ball bobbled to him on the edge of the box.

Derby then completed the rout after working the ball into the box courtesy of quality interplay between Hendrick & Bamford resulted in Jeff producing a clinical finish past defenders and keeper from close range.

4-0 and the party was well and truly underway - the stands were jumping and a shining yellow light glowed around the stadium from the brick road that had appeared at the exit - leading to Wembley!

A lively LuaLua got one back as Derby let their guard down for a moment (and really you can’t blame them!) which despite not mattering in the grand scheme, was unfortunate for Grant, who deserved a clean sheet after another masterful display. The Rams stopper once again had snuffed out any chance of a Seagulls comeback on a couple of occasions and proved to be integral in Derby making it through.

The final whistle went and fans flooded the pitch to surround their heroes, and despite it being a daunting scene for the players who could have easily drowned in black and white frivolity, the likes of Martin and Keogh embraced fans and seemingly enjoyed the moment.

The players smiled as they slowly parted a sea of delirious Derbyshire residents and were hugged by very friendly stewards who wanted to ensure the team made it to Wembley in one piece.

FT: 4 — 1 (agg: 6-2)

May 24 seems like a long way away but the time will no doubt race by, especially once our opponent is secured tomorrow night when QPR and Wigan will try to score at least one goal and earn the honour of facing a rampant Rams team.

You don’t want to get ahead of yourself but Derby could not have sent a better warning to whoever their opponent ends up being. It was an example of what they are capable of, and was all the more impressive as they did it without arguably their most important player missing from the midfield.

Six years ago The Rams tumbled out of the top flight bruised and battered, but in 12 days, they get the opportunity to starting righting the wrongs. Only one game stands between them and the chance to once again put Derby County back where they belong.

And never have I been as confident that we finally have the team to do it!

COYR!!

RamZone reporters Ryan Weston & I.Saw were at the iPro for Derby’s stunning win, and over the next few days we will deliver reports, opinion, reaction and much, much more.

So keep coming back and checking RamZone.net, the oldest Rams fan site on the net, written by the fans, for the fans - as we count downs to our date with Wembley!!

Match Stats - Derby / Brighton:

Possession: 55% / 45%

Shots (On Target): 14 (7) / 7 (4)

Corners: 6 / 1

Fouls: 11 / 15

Yellow Cards: 1 / 3

Match Info:

Referee: Craig Pawson

Derby County: Grant, Wisdom, Keogh (C), Buxton, Forsyth, Thorne, Hendrick, Hughes (Eustace 85), Ward (Dawkins 67), Russell (Bamford 78), Martin.

Substitutes: Legzdins, Sammon, Naylor, Whitbread.

Goals: Hughes (34’), Martin (56’), Thorne (76’), Hendrick (87’)

Brighton & Hove Albion: Kuszczak, Calderon, Greer (C) (Chicksen 24), Ward, Dunk, Andrews, Ince, Orlandi (Mackail-Smith 57), Lingard, Ulloa, Buckley (Lua Lua 57).

Substitutes: Forster-Caskey, March, Brezovan, Agustien.

Goals: LuaLua (89’)