Scunthorpe United 3 Derby County 2
With the League Cup cast firmly out of the picture the Rams today refocused their attention on the league; hoping to build upon their excellent start against new boys Peterborough. Next up was a trip to (not so) sunny Scunthorpe.
Derby were forced to field a seriously weakened side after the injury crisis currently plaguing the club added Steve Davis to it’s list against Rotherham midweek. This weakness was duly noted in the final score as Derby were stretched to far across the pitch, and found themselves wide open to Scunthorpe’s counter attacks.
The game started brightly with both sides threatening to take the initiative, however it was the home side who struck first. Gary Hooper the starlet of Scunthorpe’s promotion campaign displayed his poacher instincts as he pounced on the rebounded shot of Woolford to give Scunthorpe their first lead of the season,
Derby, keen not to be left behind, were back on level terms with in three minutes. Paul Green began his seasons tally with a well struck shot past keeper Murphey. If the Ram’s thought that they could keep status quo until half time they were duly mistaken.
Just a minute before the break, the excellent Hooper struck again, driving a low hard shot past Bywater who despite getting his fingers to the ball was unable to stop its inevitable track.
The second half saw the emergence of Kris Commons from the bench for his first appearance of the season. Within a matter a minutes he had lived up to his reputation and drawn the Rams level. A spot kick had been awarded to Derby after Scunthorpe keeper Murphy felled Green in the box. Resuming his duties, Commons confidently sent Murphy the wrong way.
With half an hour still to play many of the 2,000 travelling Rams fans would have happily settled for a draw, given the surprising prowess of the league newcomers. Derby were to suffer one last time as Scunthorpe claimed all three points eight minutes from time. Hooper, heavily involved once again released Woolford on a charging run into the Derby box; with Derby’s defence seemingly absent Woolford buried the ball into the net with a low shot beneath the reach of Bywater.
Not so sunny in Scunny as Derby leave empty handed
Scunthorpe United 3 Derby County 2
With the League Cup cast firmly out of the picture the Rams today refocused their attention on the league; hoping to build upon their excellent start against new boys Peterborough. Next up was a trip to (not so) sunny Scunthorpe.
Derby were forced to field a seriously weakened side after the injury crisis currently plaguing the club added Steve Davis to it’s list against Rotherham midweek. This weakness was duly noted in the final score as Derby were stretched to far across the pitch, and found themselves wide open to Scunthorpe’s counter attacks.
The game started brightly with both sides threatening to take the initiative, however it was the home side who struck first. Gary Hooper the starlet of Scunthorpe’s promotion campaign displayed his poacher instincts as he pounced on the rebounded shot of Woolford to give Scunthorpe their first lead of the season,
Derby, keen not to be left behind, were back on level terms with in three minutes. Paul Green began his seasons tally with a well struck shot past keeper Murphey. If the Ram’s thought that they could keep status quo until half time they were duly mistaken.
Just a minute before the break, the excellent Hooper struck again, driving a low hard shot past Bywater who despite getting his fingers to the ball was unable to stop its inevitable track.
The second half saw the emergence of Kris Commons from the bench for his first appearance of the season. Within a matter a minutes he had lived up to his reputation and drawn the Rams level. A spot kick had been awarded to Derby after Scunthorpe keeper Murphy felled Green in the box. Resuming his duties, Commons confidently sent Murphy the wrong way.
With half an hour still to play many of the 2,000 travelling Rams fans would have happily settled for a draw, given the surprising prowess of the league newcomers. Derby were to suffer one last time as Scunthorpe claimed all three points eight minutes from time. Hooper, heavily involved once again released Woolford on a charging run into the Derby box; with Derby’s defence seemingly absent Woolford buried the ball into the net with a low shot beneath the reach of Bywater.