As a football fan, days don’t get much better than this. A Bryson hat-trick, Russell’s nomination for goal of the season, all that and more in a 5 - 0 thumping which equalled the clubs biggest win over Forest 116 years ago.
Both teams had been struggling with their form in recent matches but for Derby it was more the inability to score being the problem, while Forest had not been playing well for over a month and in turn sliding down the table.
After 4 matches without a goal, much had been said about this being the perfect day for The Rams to revive their free-scoring ways. And did they ever!!
Craig Bryson is no stranger to hero status in our local Derby and once again he could do no wrong in the home fans eyes. On 6 minutes Bryson broke the goal drought and sent the iPro stadium wild when his shot found the back of the net after sustained pressure in the box resulted in the ball finding its way to the Scot, who first headed into a defender, retrieved the rebound and fired below the keeper to open the scoring.
The Rams had controlled most of the opening exchanges but Forest were slowly recovering from their early shock and getting back into the game.
Just as the Reds showed signs of mounting a challenge for an equaliser, on 32 minutes Bamford played the ball into the box from the right to find Martin whose clever control and lay-off to Bryson was truly a brilliant move to behold as the midfielder was only required to tap it in from close range.
Only minutes later as Forest once again pressed, trying to get things moving, The Rams caught Forest on the break. Bamford skipped away, drew defenders to him and played a brilliant pass through traffic to a charging Hendrick who did brilliantly to keep his cool and draw the keeper towards him then shoot truly in a one on one situation.
HT: 3 — 0 …. No really.. it was!!
The Rams returned to the pitch determined to continue their dominance and it only took 9 minutes for their hard work to pay off as Johnny Russell received the ball on the left just outside the box after some good linking play with the impressive Martin. The shot that resulted was an old fashioned screamer as Russell not only scored with power and precision, but secured his entry for ‘Goal of the season’.
The Rams were making Forest look silly as the visitors gave the ball away cheaply and increasingly looked more and more like witches hats on a training ground. The silliness increased on 69 minutes when Forest keeper Darlow raced out to make a ludicrous challenge on Bamford which resulted in a penalty being awarded.
Keepers have been sent off for less (just ask Frank Fielding) but with only a yellow shown, this was the one (and probably only) time it did not seem to matter as Derby needed no help to beat their opponent.
Penalties have not been The Rams bread and butter of late, having missed their last 3, but on a day like today nothing seemed like it was going to go wrong for the home team. This was to be no exception.
Bryson stepped up and created history by not just becoming the first player since Steve Bloomer to manage a triple in this fixture but the score line of 5-0 equalled the best ever win over Forest since 1898.
Truly statistics to savour!
The Rams created more chances as the game wore on, one of which fell to Martin who was brilliant to flick the ball towards goal with a deft touch, only for Darlow to save spectacularly. On second thoughts the ref should have sent him off.
The iPro was bouncing as the crowd had witnessed one of the best, if not the best performance by their team in recent history. The clock ticked down as the Forest players looked like they just wanted it to end.
And as the final whistle went.... end it did... with a mighty roar!
FT: 5 - 0
Throughout the match Forest created a few chances but rarely tested the Rams defence, who were brilliant all day as they crushed the Forest forwards into submission. Buxton and Wisdom especially were enormous; in particular Buxton who was brilliant as he threw himself at anything that even came close to his goal.
A special mention to George Thorne as well who did brilliantly deputising for Eustace as he got about breaking up Forest, time after time sticking his foot or body in the way of the visitors. A really impressive debut after playing very little football of late and should be a definite to hold his place against Ipswich.
Overall it was a brilliant team performance and a truly historic day for both The Rams and Forest, but for hugely contrasting reasons.
The goals are flowing again for The Rams and with the play-offs fast approaching, The Rams sent a message today that other teams will be wary of as Derby look to make finish their season in style.
Days like this don’t come around often, every 116 years or so apparently, so enjoy what was simply one of the best Rams wins in over a century!
RamZone reported Ryan Weston was at the iPro yesterday and will present a full match report plus all the stats and reaction later today or at least some time in the next 3 days - as his whereabouts is likely to be beer related for some days yet... and then some!
Don’t miss it!
Possession: 59% / 41%
Corners: 4 / 5
Shots (On Target): 17 (10) / 10 (9)
Fouls: 11 / 18
Referee: Michael Naylor
Attendance: 33,004
Derby County: Grant (GK); Wisdom, Buxton, Keogh, Forsyth; Thorne, Hendrick, Bryson (Hughes 85'), Ward, Bamford, Martin (Sammon 82').
Unused Subs: Legzdins (GK), Naylor, Russell, Whitbread, Bailey.
Nottingham Forest: Darlow (GK), Collins, Moussi (Henderson 45'), Mackie, Fox, Greening, Lascelles, Jara, Paterson (Halford 64'), Majewski, Cox (Derbyshire 79').
Unused Subs: De Vries (GK), Harding, Gomis, Osborn.
Ipswich vs. Derby
Portman Road
7:45pm — Tuesday March 25th