RamZone Wrap: Derby Let Off Hook Late By Spirited Sandgrounders
Sunday, 4th Jan 2015 14:18 by Daniel J Sewart

For most of their 3rd Round FA Cup tie Derby County dominated proceedings in every department except the most important one — on the scoreboard!

The Rams were by far the better team but it was one of those days where the ball would not go into the back of the net - as nearly every Derby player had a chance to score against their lower league opposition - but came up short for over 90 minutes.

Steve McClaren had rested many of his first team regulars to allow the likes of Roos, Coutts, Naylor and Ward the chance to blow off the cobwebs and none looked out of place, as the diced and sliced the visitors without the required result.

The stat of 22 shots to 4 pretty much sums up the story as Bryson hit the bar, Ward, Dawkins, Mascarell & Shotton all had opportunities but it was Leon Best who needed to score as he led the line with a point to prove to Rams fans.

Instead Best had two gilt edged chances — one either side of the break — that he spectacularly managed to mess up. If you didn’t know why McClaren needed to sign Bent, then in those moments the player himself displayed why.

In the end Steve McClaren was forced to introduce his big guns but even with Martin, Russell & Ibe injected into the action, it seemed as if a replay was destiny, with the ball determined to not to be forced into the Southport net against its will.

Southport at times even threatened to steal the match from under the Rams horns as the back four lived dangerously - but in the end luck favoured Derby in stoppage time.

Russell raced into the box only to be brought down by Foster. A definite penalty converted expertly by Martin and that was it, cruel on Southport but more than a fair result on the balance of play.

Not a thrashing but providing the opposition don’t score, 1 goal is all you need to win any match… just ask Rochdale.. (sorry had to get that one in here somewhere!!).

So the Rams are through to the 4th round - while the Sandgrounders head home with their heads held high after frustrating their higher placed hosts for 92 minutes.

Ryan Weston was at the iPro for RamZone and tomorrow we will present his full report of the match — which if for no other reason - will be worth reading for his description of the many, many, many, missed chances…

Match Info / Rams Team:

Ref: Graham Scott

Crowd: 20,201 (2,652 Travelling Sandgrounders)

Derby: Roos, Shotton (Russell 63’), Keogh, Buxton, L. Naylor, Mascarell, Coutts, Bryson, Ward, (Ibe 63’), Dawkins, Best (Martin 63’).

Unused Subs: Mitchell, Forsyth, Hughes, Calero.

Match Stats — Derby / Southport:

Goals: Martin (Pen 90+2’)

Possession: 66% / 34%

Shots On Target: 6 / 2

Shots Off Target: 16 / 2

Corners: 17 / 2

Fouls: 4 / 5

We Said / They Said - Match Reaction:

We Said — Steve McClaren:

"They came here and frustrated us, did their job, defended heroically, played when they could and their keeper was magnificent. Gary and his staff can be very proud of their performance, I thought it was excellent.”

"We are just thankful we are not the headline on Sunday morning, which we were very close to being. In the end it was sheer relief that we got the result. I couldn't see us scoring from open play and I thought it was going to take something like a penalty to win this game.”

"I'm going to enjoy a nice glass of Amarone with Gary because he presented it to me before the game, trying to soften me up! From half-time on I was looking forward to that glass of wine - but Gary can be very proud of his players."

They said — Gary Brabin:

"I've told them I'm proud of them and that they've raised the bar and made a lot of friends. It's a cruel way to lose the game but there was never any doubt in our minds that it was a penalty.”

"I'm gutted to see the lads so down, but I genuinely didn't think we were going to win the FA Cup. We just wanted to come here and show everyone what this team is capable of and leave with pride, which is certainly the case.”

"I think they were excellent and we've frustrated a side who I think will be in the Premier League next season."