RamZone Wrap:Derby Up To 3rd After Bamford Had A Hoot At Hillsborough! Tuesday, 18th Feb 2014 23:59 by Daniel J Sewart A flat footed Rams found it hard to get their motor running at Hillsborough, possibly due to an 8 day break or perhaps it was a physical Wednesday team determined to shut them down. Whatever the reason, come the final whistle Derby had the points. The Owls come away from the defeat now having not beaten the Rams in 10 consecutive matches (7 losses, 3 draws) and despite the fact they deserved something for their toils this time around, it was a moment of quality from Rams goal scoring machine Patrick Bamford that won the day. Steve McClaren kept faith with the same team that defeated QPR last Monday but his chargers struggled to get the vehicle into gear, as the home side did what you have to do to stop the Rams playing football. Intimidate and close down. For The Owls Glenn Loovens had an early effort cleared off the line by Forsyth while at the other end Bamford was off target when his attempt went wide from a Jamie Ward cross. The teams were scrapping and trying to find a way to attack as the game became an arm wrestle that the home side seemed to be slowly winning. For the Rams despite looking most unlikely to score still managed some efforts — Bryson and Martin both had efforts off target before Will Hughes finished a great run with a disappointing shot straight at Owls keeper Chris Kirkland. HT: 0 — 0 In the second half Johnny Russell replaced Ward who despite looking dangerous early was once again struggling with his hamstring issues. Jeff Hendrick came on shortly afterwards for Bryson who was also struggling with injury. Wednesday were looking more and more likely to score as the Rams still could not get any momentum, despite the efforts of Russell who was enormous in both creating attacking thrusts and tracking back to niggle Wednesday when they were on the ball. Maguire had a shot cleared in front of goal by Hendrick while Michail Antonio would have scored, had Lee Grant not continued his stunning recent form with a great save. As it looked like the game was destined to finish in a scoreless draw — Steve McClaren & Paul Simpson had other ideas as they brought on Conor Sammon for John Eustace and changed formation to a 4-2-4. You will never die wondering with this management team as their all or nothing attitude continues to delight the Rams fans, especially as more often than not it has paid dividends. Andre Wisdom started the winning move by progressing forward down the right, as he so often does to great effect; before passing the ball back to Bamford on the corner of the penalty area. The on loan Chelsea starlet only needed one touch before curling an amazing effort into goal that hit the underside of the bar before clearing the goal line for a Derby goal! Now it was time for The Rams had to hang on as 12 minutes of regular time plus 5 minutes of added time ticked down. The Derby defence were resolute for the second successive match with every player joining in their efforts to protect their precious lead. Keogh and Buxton were once again enormous but it was Lee Grant who could have easily donned a cape such was the superhero like way he continually claimed the ball and made himself big to collect from any attacking situation that Wednesday could design. The whistle sounded and the Rams had done what good teams do when faced with a scrappy game — they win! FT: 0 — 1 A moment of genius from Bamford, continuing his amazing scoring run at the Rams, was the difference in the end but without the heroics of the likes of Russell, Keogh and in particular Grant — Derby would have had to share or surrender the points at Hillsborough. The win moved the Rams up to 3rd place as they keep the pressure on those around them to stop them breaking clear and attacking the automatic promotion places. With 15th placed Bournemouth visiting the iPro on Saturday — The Rams are fast setting up a mouth watering show down with 2nd placed Burnley on March 1st. If you are like me, despite The Rams new found confidence, you are still waiting for something to go wrong. This is understandable considering the results of recent years but matches like this one, when you win despite it just not clicking; you have to start to believe that this really could be the Rams season. To win anything you must beat those below and around you without fail, which makes Saturdays match even more massive than how massive it was before we triumphed over The Owls. The Rams are putting themselves in a great position to make one last almighty charge for a top two spot and now more than ever, fans believe we would more than deserve to occupy such lofty heights. Seize the day boys - you never know when that day might come again! COYR!! RamZone reporter Ryan Weston was at Hillsborough to witness Derby's win. 'The Weston Report' is always a cracking read so check back in the coming days for his birds.... or should I say Owls eye view on the match and more!
Match Stats: Owls / RamsPossession: 46% / 54% Corners: 11 / 2 Shots (On Target): 18 (4) / 9 (2) Fouls: 21 / 11
Match Info:Referee: Darren Bond Attendance: 21,039
Derby County: Grant, Wisdom, Keogh, Buxton, Forsyth, Eustace (Sammon 75), Bryson (Hendrick 55), Hughes, Ward (Russell 46), Bamford, Martin Unused Substitutes: Whitbread, Thorne, Bailey. Goals: Bamford (78’)
Sheffield Wednesday: Kirkland, Palmer, Llera, Loovens, Mattock, Antonio, Coke, Lee (Helan 45+2), Gardner (Hutchinson 61), Maguire, Best (Afobe 70). Unused Substitutes: Martinez, Maghoma, Lavery, Nuhiu.
Match Highlights - Video:
Plus check out this great fan shot video of Bamford's goal!
Match Reaction - Head Coach:
Match Reaction - Goal Scoring Hero:
Next Time:Derby County vs. Bournemouth iPro Stadium 3pm — 22nd February 2014
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