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Derby: Poom, Carbonari, Laursen, Schnoor (Elliott,
82), Delap, Burley (Murray, 78), Powell, Johnson, Kinkladze (Dorigo,
53), Strupar, Sturridge.
Subs not used: Christie.
Hodges
Booked: Kinkladze, Schnoor, Poom.
Leicester: Arphexad, Guppy, Sinclair (Gilchrist, 46),
Taggart, Elliott, Savage, Izzet, Lennon, Oakes, Collymore (Marshall,
23), Eadie (Impey, 73).
Subs not used: Cottee,
Booked: Lennon, Taggart.
Sent off: Lennon.
Attendance: 25,763.
Referee: G Poll
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Derby County (3) 3 vs Leicester City (0) 0
FT
Burley 15
Delap 45
Sturridge 45
Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em
Peter Gilbert 2.4.00
I am often reminded of songs which might fit various football
matches. This one would have to be a Van Morrison
song entitled 'My Mother Told Me There'd Be Days Like These.'
This was a game played on Mothering Sunday
and the Mothers of Leicester Fans would have to be on top form
to cheer their offspring afterwards. We cried all the way home
as our newly adopted 'favourite son' was back in Leicester before
us breathing gas and air in the Infirmary with a broken ankle
he sustained in a freak accident after only 15 mins.
As far as the season goes this was Leicester's 10th match on
TV, the nation has marvelled at Leicester's ability to ride out
a storm and come out smiling.
As for Derby, this game was on the back of 9 previous home defeats
for them and they had failed to score in the first half at home
all season.
They are clearly a poor side but by half time they were 3-0 up
despite Leicester having most of the possession.
In fact almost 10 mins. had gone before Peguy Arphexad in goal
for the injured Flowers even touched the ball.
The nature of Derby's goals don't make the defeat any easier
to bear. The first came when poor marking allowed
Burley time to shoot from the edge of the box challenged only
by Izzett and Sinclair who ran out at him and then committed
the cardinal sin of jumping in the air and turning their backs.
The second came when another corner was not cleared and the ball
played in found De Laap unchallenged at the near post to head
home.
The third goal came from a free kick which Arphexad saved well
but the ball was picked up by De Laap who crossed for Sturridge
to nod home at the far post challenged by Leicester players who
once again threw the coaching manual away and flapped under pressure.
So we went in at half-time 3-0 down bemoaning our luck, but there's
more to it, in that we had chances and didn't take them.
In the second half we hit the post, had a Marshall shot well
saved and even had two goals disallowed. No - it wasn't our day
and for such misfortune to happen here of all places was almost
unbearable. The Derby fans who have been under the kosh for so
long this season were not about to let us drift away unmolested,
they enjoyed their day. They booed Collymore immediately, Savage
continually and were gleeful when Lennon was sent off for a second
bookable offence.
In truth we were not deadly on this occasion. Too often we tapped
the ball about tamely and a whole host of crosses fell into Poom's
hands.
It has to be said however that we never gave up and Martin tinkered
continually with his line up which was partly enforced by injuries
to Collymore, Sinclair and Eadie.
I would suggest that Savage was man of the match.His efforts
were of Herculean proportions but sadly we did not have resources
on the day to match the effort. Sweat needs to be
complimented by class.
Now we have 8 games left, we have 41 points and we have to re-group
yet again. We have been dealt yet another body blow but whatever
happens we will be getting something positive out of the season
in the form of European involvement. We do need however an injection
of quality players in the summer months.
The Derby fans were very happy. They had just exerted their biggest
win over us for 22 years, were now 5 points above Bradford and
only 1 point behind Wimbledon but their huge areas of empty seats
and lack lustre singing are significant factors in their true
state of health and they are still fourth from bottom.
As for The Blue Army - we pledged that we would 'sing our hearts
out for the lads' and we all agreed we had just spent the worst
Mothering Sunday imaginable.
Get well soon Stan our thoughts are with you.
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