Last-gasp heartbreak as dominant Rams undone by Zamora sucker-punch The beautiful game can sometimes turn into an ugly ogre, a cold, callous, unforgiving mistress that can strike you in the unmentionables and show no remorse.
Worse still, this is a trait often saved for huge games and so it proved on Saturday, as £120 million and a place on Match of the Day next season, was cruelly snatched away from the brave Rams at the death.
A lot of different emotions have been circling my head since leaving the home of football. Pride, anger but above all, immense frustration that a gift-wrapped opportunity was so unjustly passed-up.
Leaving Derby a few hours earlier, under a sky which we now know was a sign, the mood was buoyant. Our mini-bus joining hundreds of others, the M1 a glorious sight of black and white.
The same story at the service station (or should that be stations-we all know what it’s like when the seal is broken!). Champagne flowing before 9am, a bottle hastily preserved to toast our return to the Promised Land on the way back.
A first-glimpse at the arch, the pit of your stomach physically wrenches like Bucko has just smashed into your chest. The queue around the North-Circular barely even registers in a haze of beers and banter.
We were dropped off at a Rams watering hole with around three hours to go, which was just about enough time to join the scrum at the bar and successfully attain a drink before having to leave.
Then it all became a bit real. Joining the rest of the black and white army marching confidently towards Wembley, the god’s smiled on us just enough for the customary photos. One also found it amazing how many familiar faces were spotted out of a 40,000 strong contingent, bringing with it a strange feeling of destiny that now was the time.
One more photo as my legs turned to treacle and then we were in, thankfully not falling foul of the ticketing faux-pas at the turnstiles. After shelling out a small mortgage, a pint of some sort of warm liquid was served up as the team news began filtering through.
A massive shock to not see Bryson return as Steve kept the faith and again fielded the side that produced a ‘near perfect’ performance, to sweep Brighton aside. Consolation came with the knowledge that Craig would be a superb impact sub if needed. A final deep breath and last forced gulp of the liquid and it was time.
I have been lucky enough to visit the national stadium on three previous occasions but stepping out of the concourse into the masses is still an absolute jaw-dropper. You try to comprehend it all-the size, the noise, the sea of flags and scarves but it still renders you dumbstruck for a few seconds.
Pleasingly, the vast majority of seats were taken, a far cry from the farce of seven years ago where the glare of empty chairs was horrific. The noise cranked up, the teams appeared on the big screen, the rain returned to add its own feeling of theatre.
Then it was time.
Emerging to a cacophony of noise which I for one have been seldom privy to, you could be excused for getting a bit emotional. The national anthem did little to allay this, the fact that my family and friends all stood together arms round shoulders during this is one of my favourite memories of the day.
It wasn’t the time for emotion though; it was time to deliver what we had set-out to do ever since Dublin in pre-season. One last huddle between the boys and we were ready to go, kicking towards the flags in the QPR end. Flags which had been provided on every chair, obviously to produce a spectacle but also to actually try and give their supporters a bit of atmosphere….but more on that later.
The Rams kicked off and were immediately on the front foot, Russell skipping away from a couple of challenges. Rangers lined up 4-4-2, with Doyle partnering Rams-foe Austin up top. The maths then, pointed to midfield joy for the Rams, with QPR content to try and play on the break.
It was they though who offered the first chance, Austin brought down only for our old-friend and pantomime villain Barton to hammer against the wall.
It was though, a lively start, without any real quality. Both sides were, understandably edgy, with neither team moving the ball with any real conviction. Doyle, a surprise starter ahead of Ravel (rumours are that it was too-cold for him remain unconfirmed) was causing problems in the air, which was a bonus considering QPR’s woeful long chipped ball tactics.
Anyhow, Austin was benefiting, screwing a shot well-wide before Barton also smashed into the legions of Rams fans, both to mine and his apparent amusement.
Another plus for Derby saw Krancjar, dangerous in the early going; limp off to be replaced by Traore. Hoilett though was providing the most quality, causing Forsyth problems in one of the key battles, highlighted in the build-up, was coming to a head.
Thankfully, a number of early forays in behind the Scot came to nought as slowly, we managed to gain a foot-hole in proceedings. Indeed, following a short-corner, Ward’s whipped delivery found Forsyth unmarked at the far-stick, his header over really should have been on-target.
There followed the most contentious moment of the half. Ward cleverly played in Hughes down the left, the youngster gaining the attention of Dunne who had come out of the centre. A Cruyff-turn later and he was on the deck, not via any contact from the QPR defender according to referee Mason.
Impossible to see from my viewpoint, although replays have since suggested the challenge fell into the, ‘seen them given’ category. Unsurprisingly, given what we have seen already this season, Hughes was not reprimanded for simulation. One rule for one, one rule for Bobby Madley…
At least though, the near-pen sparked us into life. A great run from Forsyth eventually saw Hughes teed-up, but his curling effort cleared the bar. As the half neared its conclusion, the Rams led by the very impressive Thorne, began to get on top.
A free-kick was won on the left and swung in beautifully by Ward, only for the ball to avert everyone and very nearly nestle in the far corner before Green pushed it around the post.
In the final minute, a slick counter from Rangers culminated in Troare screwing a shot miles wide. The full-back come-winger has only scored one senior goal-and it showed. With that, the first 45 had flown by and we were no nearer to knowing what league we were to be in next year.
Following a chat in the customary queue for the gents, (even at the home of football it was carnage!) we all believed that the first goal would be key. With Bryson as the ace up our sleeve, confidence still reigned.
The same cannot be said of the weather, with glorious blue skies summoning the players back for their final reckoning.
The Rams immediately settled into the second period, forcing a couple of corners after more encouraging work in the wide areas. Martin, isolated in the first-half, was missing his mate on the bench, with Hendrick not doing enough in my opinion to support him.
Despite the positive start, it was QPR who fashioned the golden chance of the game so far. Traore broke clear down the left and crossed perfectly for Austin. 80 odd thousand held their collective breath as the normally lethal hit-man snatched his shot a yard wide.
The exhale was tangible and the warning had been sounded. The noise rose still further, before what threatened to be the decisive moment of the whole season.
A Rams attack broke down before a terrible ball from Onuoha presented Will Hughes with it thirty-five yards out. His clever pass found Russell, who superbly nicked the ball through Dunne’s legs and was through on goal. Just as he was picking his spot, his progress was crudely ended by the desperate O’Neil, right on the edge of the box.
As arms flew, fingers jabbed and obscenities were exchanged (and that was just the crowd), I waited with everyone else for a card. A stick on yellow at worst but a red from where I was standing, Mr Mason eventually agreed, after sensible consultation with his linesman.
The roar that greeted the marching orders was akin to that of the winning goal. As hugs were being given out around me, I surely couldn’t have been the only one thinking that nothing had been won yet? Except it appeared I was - as the Rams fans went into party mode, at least until Ward’s subsequent free-kick smashed into the wall.
Following five-minutes of corners and sustained pressure, McClaren played his ace, Bryson alongside Dawkins, with Hughes and Russell surprisingly making way.
Within an instant, Bryson had made a run which had been badly lacking throughout the afternoon. Suddenly, the extra pockets of space were being exploited and the knot in the pit of my stomach tightened with realisation that promotion was a very real possibility.
Martin and Bryson soon combined to send the latter free, his shot pushed behind by the Reverend Green at his near-post. From the subsequent corner, Bryson’s retrieval of a poor pass from Ward allowed the big striker to have a pop, his fierce drive again turned behind from Green. Keogh headed over the next corner as the Rams began to turn the screw.
One goal would do it, I felt sure of that.
The game became like a training exercise, with QPR moving Austin to the left to allow Henry to come on for more stifling in the middle of the park. Every loose ball was dropping to a Rams shirt, Keogh and Buxton joining the excellent Thorne in playing from inside the Rangers half.
Another chance came with more industry from Bryson and Martin allowing Dawkins to play a one-two with the Scot. From a tight angle right in front of me, the winger produced a more comfortable save from Green, who was extremely fortunate to see Ward’s follow up hit Martin and drift behind.
Time was becoming less and less as Rangers took their time over every dead-ball. Winning a throw-in inside our half was treated as a goal by their fans, who had gone deathly quiet, no-doubt contemplating what mess failure would leave their dreadfully- run club in.
At the back though, they had a real leader, the fantastic Dunne winning more-or-less every ball inside his own box. Forsyth’s low cross found Green’s handling to be spot-on before Ward half-heartedly appealed for a back-pass which never was.
Nerves were now extremely apparent, the raucous hoards stood beside me now biting nails and checking watches. With the game seemingly heading for another thirty minutes of attack versus defence, the unthinkable happened.
A rare throw-in deep in our territory was thrown down the line towards the by-line and Hoilett. Going no-where, Forsyth shepherded the ball for Buxton to clear. Except he didn’t and hesitated, allowing the QPR man to challenge and ultimately see fortune on his side to emerge with the ball.
Running at Forsyth, he produced a tired looking cross which went straight to Keogh. Somehow, in some wicked, horrible way, the skipper feebly tapped the ball straight to Zamora in front of him.
Time seemed to stand still, before a blood-curdling scream of; ‘Noooooo’ from my friend to my right signalled the dagger to be drawn. Zamora then drilled it straight into our collective heart, lashing past Grant and into the corner.
Never have I experienced such deflation, shock and gut-wrenching anguish watching a live game than I did in that moment. The sound of 40,000 Rams stood aghast is something that will stay with me for a long time.
Sickeningly, the East End of Wembley had suddenly woken up, seemingly galvanised now that their side didn’t need a twelfth man.
What happened in the remainder of the game was a blur. Bamford came on, won a corner for which Grant came up for and which found the skipper, who’s Roy of the Rovers quest for redemption ended in a thrown-in for the R’s.
In a few more moments, the dream was over. Words still fail me to sum up those closing minute inside the stadium. The sight of the skipper and Bucko slumped face-down on the turf before standing up in tears was enough to tug at anyone’s heart-strings.
Hughesy, an academy graduate, also reduced to floods along with a high percentage of the crowd. It really was the cruellest of endings to a remarkable season in which players, staff and fans had deserved better.
Blinking away my own tears, I had been rendered motionless, but for my hands, which were clapping our brave lads who had somehow rendered the strength to come and acclaim those that had stayed. Thankfully, that was still quite a high number, though this cannot be seen as a dig at those who left. We all handle defeat in different ways, especially one as cruel as that.
In the desolation though, one thing remained and that was the sheer class of our players, who to a man stood and watched QPR lift the trophy. I confess, the sight of Barton’s smug face doing that was a bridge too far for me thus I left into the masses. At least the weather God’s had smiled on us and it wasn’t hammering down!!
Making our way forlornly back to the bus, remarking how disappointing the surrounding area of Wembley is, something nearly as gutting as the defeat was striking.
Walking through the hoards of QPR fans, it was as if they themselves had lost the game.
No smiles, no singing, nothing. This leaves me to say one thing.
We might have lost the game but we have a club from the owners, the players, right through to the fans that do things the correct way.
I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that promotion is coming. This will hurt for a while but if things are done correctly, results ultimately follow.
DCFC - the team for me.
Thank you for a fantastic 13/14.
We will come again.
Now, just off to cry…
Lee Grant - 7 A spectator for much of the game. Not a save to make but no chance with the goal.
Craig Forsyth - 6 A solid game although was given troubles by Hoilett.
Andre Wisdom - 7 Another very reliable game. We will do well to replace him.
Jake Buxton - 7 Didn’t do anything wrong until the 90th min.
Richard Keogh - 6 What can I say? Where you find heroes, you also find villains and unfortunately the skipper was the latter. Heart broken for him.
Jeff Hendrick — 6 Didn’t do enough for my money.
Will Hughes - 7 Didn’t bottle it on the big stage and was harshly replaced when his guile could have picked holes in the 10 men.
George Thorne - Weston’s Star Man - 8 Very, very good once again. Can tackle, can pass, can shoot, Can we keep him?
Jamie Ward - 7 Looked ok in fits and starts but things just didn’t go for him.
Johnny Russell - 7 Would have scored if not brought down by O’Neil. Was looking lively before being replaced.
Chris Martin - 6 Grew into the game but definitely missed Bryson bombing on.
Subs
Simon Dawkins - 6 Always looks good when coming on, lively but maybe end product could have been better.
Craig Bryson - 7 Should have started for me but we don’t know how fit he was. Made things happen and on another day would have fired us to victory.
Patrick Bamford - 6Couldn’t work a miracle.
We said — Steve McClaren
"It was the cruellest game ever. I've lost some games in my career but that is the cruellest. We didn't deserve that but you don't often get what you deserve. For somebody to make mistakes - we don't blame anybody. I'm so proud of the players for what they've achieved this season and for how they played today. You could only see one winner. Maybe we're not ready yet with this young team.”
"QPR showed their experience, they made it tight but they never looked like scoring. We had a lot of the ball, got it wide and put it in dangerous areas but credit to QPR, they made it hard to break down. They held their nerve and unfortunately they got the moment.”
"Football tests your character at times. But the players stepped up to a big test and dominated the game with great energy and passion. Humility is a key thing in football and this will make us stronger."
They said — ‘Arry Redknapp
"An amazing finish to a game. Down to 10 men and then Derby start to create chances. I thought the centre-backs headed some great balls out of the box. I'll be truthful, we were looking for extra time and penalties and then Bobby does that. What a finish.”
"I looked at us at the start of the season and 18 players left us. A lot of them were very good players we had to let go. I took Richard Dunne on a free and no-one else wanted him. He's been incredible for us and against Wigan and today he was immense."
Possession: 68% / 32%
Shots (On Target): 16 (5) / 11 (1)
Corners: 14 / 1
Fouls: 11 / 10
Yellow Cards: 0 / 1
Red Card: 0 / 1
Attendance: 87,348
Referee: Lee Mason
Derby County: Grant (GK), Wisdom, Keogh, Buxton, Forsyth, Thorne, Hughes (Bryson 67'), Hendrick, Russell (Dawkins 67'), Ward (Bamford 90'), Martin.
Unused Substitutes: Legzdins (GK), Whitbread, Eustace, Sammon.
Queens Park Rangers: Green (GK), Simpson, Dunne, Hill (Henry 67'), Austin, Doyle (Zamora 57'), Onouha, Barton, Kranjcar (Traore 33'), Hoilett, O’Neil.
Unused Substitutes: Murphy (GK), Morrison, Suk-Young, Hughes.
Goals: Zamora (90’)