The RamZone Wrap: Buxton's Bonce Delivers Derby Damned Sweet Revenge
Wednesday, 31st Dec 2014 13:12 by Daniel J Sewart

The Rams were desperate to continue the good form they showed in Birmingham and end 2014 in the best possible way — by beating the dirty Damned United!

Buxton was back from suspension at the expense of Shotton, Eustace kept his spot in defensive midfield and Hendrick shook off his Boxing Day knock to take his place in midfield.

From the outset Derby were bright and trying to get at Leeds, while the visitors were happy to get numbers behind the ball and try to clog up the final ball and in turn any hope the home team had of mustering a shot on goal.

This tactic was working well as despite the Rams having over 66% of the possession in the half, they were finding it hard to get past the dirty big bus that the Damned has parked in front of their goal.

Leeds were certainly a different team to the one that bullied and harassed the Rams only a few week ago, and in saying that, Derby were looking far more confident and up to the task on this occasion. Revenge they say is best served cold and on a chilly night, it was looking as if it was the only way it would be delivered to the visitors.

Continual attacks and runs at the United defence were coming to nothing and with not a single shot on target after 40 minutes for either team; you hoped the Rams would make their dominance count, and not concede to a sucker punch.

Just when it looked like United’s plan was working, before the interval there was a goal, scored by Leeds… but luckily they scored it for Derby.

Ibe slipped the ball through to Hughes on the edge of the box; Will raced inside and squared the ball into a mix of white and champagne coloured bodies. Chaos resulted and in an attempt to clear, Mowatt stuck out a foot that directed the ball into the back of the net for the Rams. 41 minutes gone and finally it was 1-0.

Just reward for the home teams hard work but not for Leeds who in fairness had been resolute in defence to that point. But when you are playing the dirty Damned United — any goal is a gift from heaven — especially one that they score for you!

The goal instantly resulted in Leeds dropping their bundle as both Keogh with a header and Ibe with a long range effort, could have added to the tally before the break.

HT: 1 - 0

The Rams started the second as they finished the first, on the attack, as Ibe tried to make a run but instead was the victim of a cynical foul.

The resulting free kick was whipped in by Jeff Hendrick straight onto the head of Jake Buxton who made no mistake and headed it home for Derby on 47 minutes. 2-0.

Leeds were in tatters now and the game opened up as a far greater goal tally was looking more than likely.

Hughes tried from range, while Martin should have done better with an unmarked header that he only managed to send wide with the goal gaping in front of him.

With an hour played — Derby were in complete control and giving a packed iPro stadium the perfect end to 2014.

More chances fell the way of Derby with both Martin and Russell going close in the final 20 minutes but as time ticked away, in the final stages Leeds finally started to cause the Rams a little, and that was all it was, a little bother.

United pressed without result, as their bark proved to be worse than their bite, as it had for the entirety of the match.

You may remember a certain Leeds number 9 by the name of Adryan who became a viral sensation when he rolled and rolled... and rolled…. and rolled…. after barely being touched by Russell the last times these teams met.

Young Adryan added some life to the Leeds attack from the bench, mainly when close to goal as he seemed to be looking for someone to brush against him so he could collapse like the victim of a sniper hidden inside the iPro.

He got his wish a bit further out from goal when in possession as Johnny Russell, who seemed intent to show him what a real tackle looked like, ran through him from behind. It was the type of tackle that Leeds are better known for and one that perhaps could have warranted a roll or two this time around.

Besides the goals — for me this was the highlight of the match… and we can only hope that someone cleverer than me creates a mix of the two events! Over to you internet!!

Game over and despite the Champagne colour of their strips — it was Rams fans that were popping the corks on the final whistle!

FT: 2-0

The Rams won the game easily in the end, as Leeds seemingly only had one plan and that was to get men behind the ball and hit on the break, which after the goal, was a plan that totally fell apart.

Derby could have been more ruthless and on another day would have won by 4 or 5, but any score line is a sweet one when you win, especially when it gives you back to back wins to end the year and lift you back to 3rd on the table.

So that’s it for 2014 and a potential banana skin FA Cup tie awaits on the other side along with a blockbuster clash for a top 2 spot against Ipswich.

Derby has had an amazing year and only promotion in 2015 could better the amazing transformation Derby has managed under McClaren so far.

Ryan Weston was at the iPro for RamZone, and as long as he doesn’t head straight to his New Years Eve celebrations following the Rams win, we will present his full report, player ratings and more to kick off 2015!

Enjoy the win, enjoy having beaten the Damned and from all here at RamZone have a happy and safe New Year! COYR!!

Match Info / Rams Team:

Ref: Keith Stroud

Crowd: 31,690

Derby: Grant; Christie, Keogh, Buxton, Forsyth; Eustace, Hendrick (Bryson 79’), Hughes; Russell (Coutts 90+1’), Ibe (Dawkins 89’), Martin.

Unused Subs: Roos, Shotton, Mascarell, Best.

Match Stats — Rams / Leeds:

Goals: Mowatt (41’ O.G), Buxton (47’)

Possession: 59% / 41%

Shots On Target: 6 / 1

Shots Off Target: 9 / 7

Corners: 5 / 2

Fouls: 12 / 13

We Said / They Said - Match Reaction:

We Said — Steve McClaren:

"A great job, disciplined and professional. The tempo kept going, they were going to tire and we scored. We were in control from the second goal. Will Hughes has been fantastic. You have to put the ball in the box, that is where you score and great credit to Hughes for the first goal.”

"Jake Buxton was suspended but we brought him back and you see him and Richard Keogh are a rock for us, he then went and got a goal."

They said — Neil Redfearn:

"The goal gave them a leg up and even at 1-0 down, I thought we were in the game. We looked solid enough in the first half but probably didn't carry enough threat. Alex Mowatt tried to clear it but we are having no luck at the moment. We have to stick together and believe in what we are doing.”

"If you open out too much, you can get swamped and it was difficult to get a foothold in the game and get the ascendancy. We didn't have the cutting edge and the lads are unhappy, it wasn't a good result."