Davies And Davies Win It For Rams

Two goals from Steve Davies in the firsthalf and a stunning freekick from Ben Davies after the break wrapped up a win in Derby County`s first outing of pre-season as they defeated Burton Albion 3-1. In an even opening Marvin Hamilton gave the home side the lead when he caught Frank Fielding out of position with a swerving effort when the keeper was expecting a cross. Steve Davies calmly stroked home the equalizer when played in on goal and he doubled his tally from the penalty spot before the break. Eleven changes at the break didn`t disrupt Derby`s rhythm and they dominated the second period and increased their lead when Ben Davies curled home a freekick from the edge of the area. Nathan Tyson made his first appearance in a Rams shirt in the closing stages in what turned out to be a comfortable victory.

Burton Albion named goalkeeper Ross Atkins in their starting line-up ahead of a possible loan move to the League Two side but the early stages were fairly uneventful at the Pirelli Stadium until Burton opened the scoring after seven minutes. Marvin Hamilton made ground down the right and with Frank Fielding expecting a cross he was caught out of position and could only push the fullback`s effort into the far corner of the net. Derby responded with a number of attacks of their own and Steve Davies` effort from thirty yards wasn`t far away and Atkins made a sharp save to deny Craig Bryson from twentyfive yards shortly afterwards.

The Rams drew level on eighteen minutes when Bryson and Conor Doyle combined to play Davies in on goal and he calmly slotted home the equaliser. Bryson was replaced soon afterwards after picking up a knock and youngster Ryan Connolly came off the bench in his place. Derby were enjoying the lion`s share of possession and gaining ground down the flanks with a number of dangerous balls into the area. Another foray down the right lead to The Rams` taking the lead when a square ball inside the area gave Davies a clear shot on goal but he was brought down by Hamilton and Davies picked himself up to convert from twelve yards for his second of the match.

Nigel Clough replaced the entire line-up for the second half with Adam Legzdins making his first appearance at the ground he used to play on and a number of youngsters being given the chance to shine. Michael Boulding was flagged offside before he found the net in the early stages in a bright opening and Ben Davies found the net off the underside of the crossbar with a freekick from just outside the area to increase the lead.

Derby continued to dominate and Boulding`s header from a hanging cross brought a fine size from Atkins and Chris Jones went close with a curling effort just after the hour mark. Davies was played through on goal on seventytwo minutes but Atkins was quick off his line to block the effort at the expense of a corner. Nathan Tyson came off the bench to replace David Martin with fifteen minutes to go to a mostly positive reception and he was nearly on the end of a loose ball in the area when Mark O`Brien`s header was blocked by Atkins in the closing stages. The Rams played out the final moments in glorious sunshine to get their pre-season off to a positive start.

Derby County First Half: Fielding, Croft, Brayford, Anderson, Roberts, Bryson (Connolly 26), Doyle, Ward, Pearson, Maguire, S Davies.

Derby County Second Half: Legzdins, Jones, O'Brien, Leacock, Blanchett, Witham, Cywka, B Davies, Martin (Tyson 75), Robinson, Boulding.

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