Jack Bryan is a football writer and life long Derby County supporter.
The Rams have ended a run of three straight losses and three games without a goal with a 2-0 win at The New Lawn, but remain outside the playoff places on goal difference.
Derby got off to the best possible start, winning a penalty after just 35 seconds. After a delightful long ball from Eiran Cashin, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing’s cross into the box was handled by a defender. Striker James Collins blasted the ball past the ‘keeper into the bottom left corner to end a 10-game barren spell.
Forest Green had a couple of half chances, former Ram Kyle McAllister was the hosts’ brightest spark, cutting in from the right and putting the ball in for his side’s first chance. The Scot later got on the end of a long ball and chipped just wide of an open goal with Derby goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith having rushed outside his box.
The right wing was where Derby were most threatening in the first half, Mendez-Laing putting in four or five good crosses, and having the beating of a defender in any 1v1. And as always, there was a sprinkling of David McGoldrick magic, his vision exquisite to play in Collins in the 37th minute. The number nine took a touch, but was thwarted by Doohan, who did well to rush out of his goal.
Overall, it was a good first half from Derby, who successfully mixed up their attacking play, with both long balls forward and patient build up at various points.
The back three of Haydon Roberts, Eiran Cashin and James Chester, making his first start since October, were solid defensively, earning their first clean sheet in six games. Cashin’s distribution was particularly impressive, whilst Roberts managed to be an attacking threat also in the second half, pushing up the pitch. Chester’s experience showed, the Welshman looking pretty assured throughout.
Four minutes into the second half, Derby maybe should have had a second. McGoldrick brought the ball and had a shot, Roberts having found him at the back post, but it was saved by Doohan, as was his second attempt.
As the second half progressed, Forest Green looked better, but still never really threatened Joe Wildsmith’s goal. What they did manage to do was nullify Derby somewhat, meaning the game fell a bit flat.
But the Rams would go on to double their lead with seven minutes to play. With Derby pressing high, Brandon Cooper’s pass deflected off McGoldrick and into the back of the net. McGoldrick has become only the third Derby player since 1995 to score 20 goals in a season (Chris Martin and Matěj Vydra the others).
Derby will now face MK Dons at Pride Park on Monday. Mark Jackson’s side sit 19 in League One, and are unbeaten in their last five games, having today drawn 1-1 at home to Portsmouth.
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