Rams fail again in the Central Masters football

Last updated : 24 July 2006 By Rams Mad Editor

Derby County old boys recorded their first win in over five years at this years Central Masters Competition.

The Derby side with last minute goalkeeper replacement, Chris Holmes started the evening with a fine 1-1 draw against arch rivals Nottingham Forest.

The unlikely hero for the Rams was Darrel Powell. The ex-Rams and Forest midfielder, not known for his striking ability put the Rams ahead with a blistering shot.

Forest replied with a Steve Chettle strike in the second period to leave the scores tied.

The Rams then took on a Notts County side and were behind to a well struck shot from one of the younger Notts players. The Rams to their credit, and still without a win since 2001 in this competition battled hard in the heat of the Nottingham Arena. They eventually received their reward with a well taken goal by Phil Gee.

The match then took a farcical turn as an easy ball played back to Notts ex Rams keeper, Steve Cherry was missed as Cherry tried to kick the ball clear. The ball rolled slowly into the Notts County net to hand the Rams their first victory in five years.

With one game left to play the Derby side had to play favourites and Current national champions Leicester City. The Rams fought well but the sleeker looking and well drilled Foxes side took the lead. Phil Gee struck again on the stroke of half time with a tap in from a rebound off the backboard. It looked likely for a time that the Rams could take a point and get themselves in with a chance of playing in the nights final but the stronger Leicester side struck to make the final score Leicester City 2 Derby County 1.

Foxes win Central Masters 2006-07

So it was left to Nottingham Forest and Leicester to fight out the final game of the night and Forest surprisingly took the lead in the first period but the foxes came back and showed their championship form to cruise past Forest 3-1 and gain their entry in the national final to be held in Birmingham National Indoor Arena on Sunday 3rd Septembe