Ram Raid

4th Round Replay

Derby County v Northampton Town

Tuesday 4th February 7.45pm

In order to secure seats for this match, we were fortunate to be offered the use of season tickets belonging to the family of Samuel's mate, Isaac. The only requirement was that we take Isaac with us, which would be is third time joining us on the journey.

After school, we changed and went to a local pub, the Broadway in Derby, for a pre-match meal. As usual, the food there was very goo.

We used another favour from a friend who owns a local business in the City, and parked outside the factory and offices of Cosy Educational Supplies. From there, it was a fifteen minute walk to Pride Park.

We took our seats and were, once again, impressed by the vocal support from over 4000 travelling Northampton fans. As they did at Burton and at their own ground, they made themselves heard throughout and are a credit to their club.

It was a small crowd for the size of the stadium, but the home fans urged on their heroes with the traditional 'Steve Bloomer's Watching'.

We had great seats close to the halfway line, with an unobstructed view due to the stairwell in front of us. We settled in comfortably, with plenty of legroom, and prepared for kick off. Just before the whistle went, I felt a tap on my shoulder which brought my attention to Phyllis and Derek, an octogenarian couple in the row behind.

"Derek's recently had an operation on his knee and needs a bit more legroom" explained Phyllis. "Do you think these two young men would mind changing places?"

"Of course" I replied, so Isaac and Samuel walked apologetically past a few supporters to the end of the row, waiting for the elderly pair to vacate their seats.

"Come on Derek" said Phyllis, as they climbed effortlessly over the back of the seats, sat down and stretched out their ancient limbs.

Returning to the game, Derby started brightly and created several good chances in the opening quarter. In the 29th minute, they made the breakthrough their play deserved. Rooney swept a corner into the box and, with the Cobblers' keeper under pressure, the ball dropped to Wisdom who poked home. 1-0.

They swiftly doubled their lead when, in the 35th minute, Malone sent a cross field ball to Martin, who cleverly left it for Holmes to finish clinically. 2-0.

An optimistic mood spread through the home fans as the hosts continued to dominate the first half, even though they had to settle for the two goal advantage at the break.

Half Time Derby County 2 - 0 Northampton Town

During the interval, Phyllis told me how she had started watching Derby with a group of girlfriends when they were teenagers, as something to do on a Saturday afternoon. She had seen the highs and lows of being English Champions, European adventures and 11-point Premier League embarrassment. She is still going after more than half a century and even converted Derek from Rugby to Football.

Keith Curle's team talk worked wonders for the visitors who started the second period all guns blazing and quickly reduced their arrears. Two minutes in, a quick break down the left wing was finished with a pinpoint cross to the far post where Adams gleefully tucked home from close range. 2-1.

Derby responded almost immediately. In the 51st minute, Holmes burst through midfield and pushed the ball wide to Martin. His effort was saved but Marriott was on hand to head in the rebound powerfully. 3-1.

Cocu decided to make a change with 20 minutes remaining, taking off Holmes, much to Phyllis's disappointment.

"You should have taken off Jack (Marriott)" she yelled "He was hopeless!"

This, despite him scoring the third goal.

There was a quarter of an hour to go, when Lawrence mad a surging run towards the Cobblers' goal, only to be thwarted by Wharton. Unfortunately for the Northampton defender, the method he used was against the rules, so the referee pointed to the spot. As Rooney stepped forward, Phyllis declared "Just for a change, I feel confident watching a penalty." She was justified as the ex-England captain dispatched the kick with aplomb. 4-1.

Although the game was over as a competition, the Northampton faithful continued their vocal support. The players responded and were rewarded in the 83rd minute when Davies climbed all over Williams in the area. Hoskins fired accurately into the bottom left corner for the consolation.

Full Time Derby County 4 - 2 Northampton Town

It was a comfortable win for the Rams, despite the best efforts of their League 2 visitors, and they could look forward to hosting Manchester United in the next stage.

I wonder if Rooney is up for it.

Ratings - Food could not be rated as we ate at the pub, but I have the 5th round to come; facilities 9/10 (it is a decent modern stadium); atmosphere and entertainment 8/10 (goals, penalties, vocal Cobblers fans and Phyllis. However, it was a small crowd for the stadium)

Attendance 15860

Round trip 22 miles

#FACup