Team Derby Plough Through Snowy Conditions To Victory
Team Derby Men’s Football 5th XI convincingly beat Harper Adams University 4-1 to extend their winning run to six matches.
Wednesday’s tie was the second time this season that the two sides have met in friendly a match; Derby won the previous fixture 7-0 back in December.
Derby were buoyed by their excellent recent form and started the match strongest. Midway through the first half Ollie King’s pass set James Wilson through, who finished with ease into the bottom corner.
The pair combined again a few minutes later, but Harper Adams’ goalkeeper excellently tipped Wilson’s effort wide of his far post.
In one of the most bizarre moments of Derby’s season, Nathaniel Kay headed home from King’s corner to double the hosts’ lead but the referee immediately ruled the goal out because he was not stood on the pitch. The corner was retaken and came to nothing.
The half-time interval was prolonged due to heavy wind and snow, which had already proven difficult for both sets of players to deal with.
After the break, Derby continued on the ascendance. Striker Ross Barnett broke past the Harper Adams defence and finished low and hard across the ‘keeper for his seventh goal in three matches.
The visitors, though, soon halved the deficit after a rare attack; a tame effort deflected off substitute Andrew Haines, giving ‘keeper Ryan Plant no chance.
Harper Adams failed to continue to put pressure on the hosts, who restored their two-goal lead soon after. Louis Mitchell finished a quick counter-attack with a composed finish.
With the last kick of the game, Wilson scored his second of the game to complete a routine victory for Derby.
BY: RYAN PLANT
