Heavy Defeat For Team Derby
Team Derby Men’s Football 5ths suffered a heavy 6-1 defeat in the cup against the University of East Anglia.
The newly-formed Derby team, playing their first competitive game, found themselves 2-0 down within the first five minutes of the game. The first came from a corner headed out by Sam Ward, only for it to be looped over goalkeeper Matt Iles by the East Anglia defender. The second goal had some great passes before the striker found the space and smashed it past Iles.
Derby had even more woes when winger Sam Ward was forced to come off with a knee injury, this was a big concern for Derby as injuries would later be a setback.
Two more goals in quick succession for East Anglia, right on the stroke of half-time, gave them a comfortable 4-0 score line. Something had to change for Derby to get something out of this, despite not really challenging the goalkeeper in that first half.
The second half started much better for Derby; they kept the ball and had good chances. But East Anglia seemed to kill the game with their fifth goal 10 minutes in.
But then the moment of magic happened as James Wilson played the ball in the air and Dom Scott-Bone caught the ball in the air beautifully with his right foot as it cannoned into the top right corner giving the keeper no chance.
But the final nail was put into the coffin when a low shot from East Anglia, goalkeeper Iles touches the ball with his feet rather than collecting it with his hands, only to play it into the path of a poaching striker to make it 6-1 at full time.
Before the game started, the squad held up a banner saying “Long Live The King” in tribute to Ollie King, who suffered a knee injury in a friendly against Derby’s 4ths that will force him out for some time.
Manager Sonny Bottomley said: “Today’s result shouldn’t kill our spirit, they were a very well-placed team and that really showed on the pitch today. I was very impressed with our performance in the second half, Dom (Scott-Bone) scored a great goal.
“I’m hoping that’s the first of many with this squad. We move on to De Montfort next week and hopefully we can get our first competitive win”
Derby will kick off their first league game next week against De Montfort 5th XI, who currently sit 2nd in the league with 3 points.
BY SONNY BOTTOMLEY (@Bottys11)
