Lucky Number Seven for Derby
Bishop Grosseteste 2nd’s 0 – 7 UoD MFC 3rd’s

Matt Hardy writes.

Liam Hopkinson and Sam Byrne both helped themselves to hat-tricks as UoD MFC 3rds hammered Bishop Grosseteste 2nds 7 – 0 in Lincoln on Wednesday.

Manager Charlie Nash also slotted home from the spot in what was Derby’s first win of the season, coming comfortably despite the away side going down to ten men shortly after half time, when Left Back Adam Sipson handled the ball on the goal line.

The resulting penalty was smashed into the car park behind Jack Anderson’s goal and on a day where Derby were firmly in control, it was the home sides only notable goal scoring chance.

From the kick off it was quite clear that this would be a fairly one sided affair. Derby, with Hopkinson and Nash in the centre of midfield, quickly asserted their authority on the game and, whilst much of the early minutes were very scrappy, they began to dominate their opponents in all areas.

From the kick off, the running of wingers Byrne and Henry Dyson caused a great deal of problems for the home sides defence, with some exceptional kicking from Anderson in the Derby goal as well as some clever passes from midfield areas keeping both full backs constantly on the back foot, even though, in the early exchanges each Derby attack came to nothing.

In the end it took a moment of brilliance from Hopkinson to open the scoring, cutting in from the right and sending a left footed strike from 20 yards into the top left hand corner. It was the break that Derby needed and one which they had thoroughly deserved.

Nash doubled the led from the spot, after Byrne had been bought down after beating 2 layers as he wriggled his way into the box, before Byrne himself added goals 3 and 4, one direct from a free kick with Alex Stewart playing a key role in distracting the goalkeeper by disrupting his view.

Derby went into half time firmly in cruise control & managers Nash and Stewart focused much of their half time team talk on just sharpening up in key areas to avoid giving the ball away as cheaply as they had at times in the first 45 minutes.

Sipson’s sending off just after the restart gave Bishop a lifeline, but after missing the resulting penalty, they could not sustain any period of pressure as Derby stepped up the work rate to ensure that their man disadvantage did not ruin their day.

Henry Dyson filled in at Left Back following the red card and had an exceptional 45 minutes as he and the Bionic Alex Cooper ensured that Bishop had no joy in either channel.
But it was Byrne and Hopkinson who really stood out as the second half wore on, as both continued their hard work until the final whistle.

A Hopkinson cross shot made it 5 before Byrne completed his hat-trick running beyond the back for from another long Anderson kick to slot home at the second attempt after his initial effort was saved well.

Byrne then turned provider for Hopkinson to complete the rout, as he squared the ball for the midfielder to slam home with a goal that the Derby faithful dubbed “The Afghan”.

It was the 3rd’s first clean sheet for well over a year a statistic that the managers were thrilled to remove.

“We were outstanding today” said Stewart post game.

“When we went down to 10 we had to work very hard to make sure we didn’t let them back in.

“Everyone stuck to their tasks well and to win so convincingly is only going to help us for the season goes on.”

Speaking of Hopkinson and Byrne’s hat-tricks, Stewart was quick to praise both of his midfielder’s performances.

“Sam was full of running and he did what hes good at, he got his head down and he got beyond the back four.

“Liam was exceptional. Him and Charlie (Nash) didn’t really put a foot wrong second half. In the first 45, Liam was probably playing to many long balls, but he shortened up after half time and we really couldn’t ask for any more.”

Elsewhere, a wonder strike from president Mark Farthing earned UoD MFC 1st’s a draw away at Nottingham Trent 2nd’s, after Michael Nottingham had been dismissed on the half hour. Manager Ollie Salami struck to earn UoD MFC 2nd’s a first win of the season as they beat Warwick 3rd’s 1-0 at Cryfield Pavilion.