The RamZone Wrap: Derby Defeat Tricky Terriers Despite Dodgy Defending
Wednesday, 5th Nov 2014 12:59 by Daniel J Sewart

Despite living on the edge at times with some shaky defending, the Rams came away with 3 points and at the same time ended a run of two consecutive losses.

The Rams started brightly with Russell, Mascarell and then Ibe having early chances with Ibe in particular unlucky to see his effort cleared off the line.

After being brought back into the starting line up - Jordan Ibe looked intent on keeping his place and his well taken goal from a Hedrick cut back on 7 minutes will definitely do the boys chances no harm. 1-0.

Derby’s dominance was punctured on 23 minutes when Huddersfield’s Harry Bunn took advantage of average Rams defence to level things up with a clinical finish. 1-1.

It became an arm wrestle as the visitors seemed to sense the Rams nerves as the home team went inside their shells, two defeats on the trot no doubt re-entering their minds.

Despite chances for both teams it looked as if it would go to the break all square — that was until Martin let fly with a shot that was saved by the Terrier’s keeper only for him to see the rebound fall to a charging Johnny Russell who made no mistake in putting the Rams back in front - one minute into stoppage time. 2-1.

HT: 2-1

The Rams were on the back foot in the second half as efforts from Lynch, Butterfield and Bunn had home fans sweating.

Derby were trying to work their way back into the game and Russell went close to scoring a second before being replaced by Simon Dawkins.

Dawkins made an immediate impact as with his second touch of the game, a sensational strike from the edge of the area on 77 minutes.

3-1 and the Rams could breath easy… or could they?

With 3 minutes gone into stoppage time, some school boy defending allowed Mark Hudson to make it 3-2 for Huddersfield.

Luckily there was little time left and Derby held on for the last minute and a welcome three points that puts them 4th - only 1 point off top spot.

FT: 3-2

Not a perfect display but a much improved performance against Chris Powell’s team who had not lost in 8 matches before visiting the iPro.

It’s Wolves on Saturday and another chance for Derby to build a run of results while trying to regain their place at the summit of the Championship table.

Ryan Weston was at the iPro for RamZone and will present his full match report and player ratings in the coming days. That is once he has removed his own hair from his fingernails after enduring another wobbly Derby defensive display.

Check back soon!

COYR!!

Match Info / Teams:

Ref: K.Hill

Crowd: 27,153

Rams: Butland, Christie, Keogh, Shotton, Forsyth, Mascarell, Hughes, Hendrick, Russell (Dawkins, 76), Ibe (Coutts, 90), Martin.

Unused Subs: Roos, Eustace, Buxton, Best, Calero

Goals: Ibe (7’), Russell (45+1’), Dawkins (77’).

Terriers: Smithies, Hudson, Scannell (Ward 66’), Butterfield (Majewski 83’), Coady, Holt, Robinson, Wells (Paterson 86’), Smith, Bunn, Lynch.

Unused Subs: Allinson, Peltier, Wallace, Dixon, Paterson.

Goals: Bunn (22’), Hudson (90+3’)

Match Stats — Rams / Terriers:

Possession: 62% / 38%

Shots On Target: 7 / 6

Shots Off Target: 9 / 12

Corners: 9 / 8

Fouls: 8 / 13

We Said / They Said - Match Reaction:

We Said — Steve McClaren:

"It was a good reaction after Saturday at Brentford. It was a difficult game for us, a dangerous game for us given the way they play. We expected an open game and that's what we got. There were chances at both ends and it never felt like the game was won.”

"Jack Butland made some good saves and Cyrus Christie made a superb block and then they scored right at the end, so it was fortunate for us that we had that two-goal cushion. The win moves last season's play-off finalists to within a point of league leaders Bournemouth.”

"We got eighty-odd points last season - we've got to get the same again. We're on 29 now so there's a long way still to go."

They said — Chris Powell :

“Although losing is not a good feeling, I have to look back on the unbeaten run with a lot of pride. We didn't make the greatest of starts but we got back into the game and Harry Bunn scored a really good goal.”

"We conceded again just before half-time with what looked like a controversial goal at the time but I have seen it since and Martin was not offside, the officials got it spot on."