It looked like the Rams were heading for a 4th round replay until Jay McEveley hit a 25 yard screamer that takes Derby into the 5th round of the FA cup.

Derby County 1 v 0 Doncaster Rovers
FA Cup 4th Round
Saturday 23rd January 2010 3pm
Pride Park - Derby

Attendance:

11,316 (1,453 travelling Doncaster fans)

Goals:

McEveley (Derby) 88'

Referee:

Mr. C Webster

Teams:

Derby:

Bywater, Hunt, Barker, Buxton, Moxey (McEveley 75), Green, Savage, Johnson, Pearson; Davies (Commons 65), Porter (Hulse 78) - Unused Subs: Deeney, Teale, Pringle, Anderson.

Doncaster:

Sullivan, Chambers, O'Connor, Shackell (Hird 55), Roberts, Oster, Stock, Wilson (Heffernan 90), Sheils (Guy, 78), Coppinger, Sharp - Unused Subs: Smith (gk), Spicer, Hayter, Webster.

Match Summary:

It looked like the Rams were heading for a 4th round replay until Jay McEveley hit a 25 yard screamer that takes Derby into the 5th round of the FA cup.

In what was mostly a dire, uninspired game for ninety minutes,  it was the Rams fans favourite whipping boy who entered the fray late in proceedings and lashed in a mighty strike to win the day.

In front of over 11,316 fans (1,453 travelling from Doncaster) it seemed as if the boredom of an uneventful match would justify the lowly attendance but instead those who stayed away missed what could be the Rams goal of the season.

The game could only be described as an arm wrestle and it was about as exciting as having to watch one for 90 minutes (much like the Stallone movie 'Over the top' which was only slightly better).

Doncaster had bettered the Rams in all of their meetings since their return to the Championship but this was to be the day Derby did Donny.

DJ Campbell was missing from the line up as the Foxes would not allow him to play (spoil sports) and was replaced by Chris Porter who partnered Steve Davies up front.

The first 45 minutes were devoid of many genuine chances as both teams traded blows or should I say traded possession (mainly to each other).

In the fist half Doncaster went close when Billy Sharp headed wide while Steve Davies shot wide from just outside the area.
Sharp again tried to make the break through as he hit Stephen Bywater from 25 yards  but the Rams keeper was more than up to saving the effort.

Just before half time Nicky Hunt went close with a good shot that sprayed just wide and was the result of the right back creeping forward occasionally and trying to make things happen for Derby.

HT: 0 - 0

In the second half Sharp was at it again but sadly for Donny still proving blunt as he shot straight at Bywater from long range. Brian Stock then tried his luck with a tunnel ball like shot through a host of bodies in the penalty area but the ball ended up wide of the target.

For Derby Davies shot wide and Doncaster goalkeeper Neil Sullivan saved a Kris Commons effort comfortably.

Just when it looked like a dismal day would end in a dire draw, along came ‘that’ goal. One that Rams fans in attendance will long talk about and those not in attendance will clamour to see on the Cup highlights show.

Rams captain Robbie Savage mugged former Derby trialist John Oster of the ball and found McEveley. Sullivan was never in the contest once Jay McEveley struck his shot with the power and venom of a Steven Gerrard special, imprinting the brand of the ball in the far top corner.

Doncaster attempted to use the remaining minutes to square up the score line but besides a Lewis Guy effort that was easily dealt with by Bywater, the fat lady sang for Donny and told the Rams to line up for round 5.

FT: 1 - 0

No matter how you get there, what matters is you do and the Rams did get there... just. The Rams were sloppy with the ball, losing it far too easily but although short on quality possession still came away with the win.

On top of the victory, the Rams central defence pairing of B1 & B2 managed another precious clean sheet which cannot be de-valued considering the defensive frailties of recent months. 

After an eventful couple of days as off field speculation dominated the headlines, Nigel and all at DCFC will be glad newspapers will be carrying more positive (and truthful) stories about the Rams on Sunday.

The draw for the 5th round will take place tonight at 6pm with Derby at number 3.

DanJ's Man Of The Match:

(With apologies to Barker, Buxton and Johnson who were all deserving.)

Jay McEveley -

What he did for Nigel and the Derby fans in scoring that one goal was lift the weight of the world off.. if for only a while.

An awful spectacle with one amazing moment provided by our very own Zombie. He raised the game from the dead with one fabulous strike and in doing so, I'll award him the chocolates!

The start of yet another McEveley revival?

Dawn of the McEv?

Here's hoping!

Managers Reaction:

Nigel speaking to the official site:

"We're in the lower reaches of the League, so a good Cup run can boost everyone. It gives confidence in the dressing room and it can on the terraces as well".

"We were disappointed with one or two of the final balls today, but it was a stunning goal from Jay to win it".

"The most relevant thing was we didn't give a goal away today, we made them work for every chance they had. We didn't give anything away, and at 0-0 with a few minutes to go you always have a chance to win it".

Zombie Reaction:

Jay McEveley speaking to the official site about his goal:

"It was a decent strike; I just backed up the play and gambled if the ball came to me and I would have a go.

"Luckily it fell to me, I hit it sweetly and it went in.

"I haven't played for while so it was nice to get some game time. I stupidly got suspended for the red card at Newcastle and I've not been able to get back in since".

"I have to keep plugging away and wait for moments like today to make an impact. I'll just keep working hard and I know patience is important when you are out the team."

"It is great to be in Round 5, it is something we can draw great confidence from".

"We need to take it into our League form as well and move up the table.

"We believe in ourselves and we want to extend our little run to four unbeaten at Plymouth."

Best Of The Match Reports:

DCFC Official Site

Doncaster Rovers Official Site

Sky Sports

Derby Telegraph

ESPN Soccernet

Photo: Action Images

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