|
The weather was superb, and an expectant crowd of 9,000 saw the Rams give a vastly improved performance than anything seen last season, playing as a team with some notable performances by individuals.
The visitors had to change their playing strip just prior to the match and appeared to play all red training tops, rather than their red and white diagonal quartered shirts. Both sides took to the field with a huge cheer from the Rams faithful and around half a dozen travelling fans sat in the Pirelli stand.
It was the visitors that made the first impression scoring after some good passing and movement by the Utrecht forwards. Leyroy George eventually putting the ball in the back of the net in the 16th minute. Rams fans seemed to sense that last seasons poor performances were about to return but the Rams rallied after going behind and a superb strike by Kris Commons from outside the penalty box saw the ball scream into the corner of the Utrecht goal to bring the scores level with only 18 minutes gone.
The Rams saw a great deal of the ball and used it well, looking confident when in possession, something that was sadly missing from last season.
The fortieth minute saw the Rams awarded a penalty after Latvian trialist Andriy Pereploytkin was brought down in the box. Nathan Ellington stepping up to send the Utrecht keeper the wrong way and put the Rams 2-1 ahead just before the half time break.
The game was end to end in the second period with both sides having chances. The referee was to be the major centre of attention during the second period as he adjudged Jay McEveley to have brought down a Utrecht striker in the box. Maybe it was just to even up the score for the earlier penalty given to the Rams. Gregoor Van Dijk took the spot kick and scored despite Roy Carroll getting a hand to it but failing to keep the ball out of the net. Van Dijk was substituted straight after he brought the scores level.
So a very much improved Rams side and their fans now eagerly await the arrival of Doncaster Rovers next Saturday and the start of the Championship season...