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Report
copied from Derby County official website dcfc.premiumtv.co.uk
The Brewers proved to be sturdy opposition for Derby
in their latest pre-season friendly but it was the visitors who made the most of
their opportunities and sealed a comfortable win.
Triallists Salomon Olembe, a Cameroon international midfielder and former Leeds United player recently released by Marseille, and Giorgios Theodoridis lined up for the Rams at the Pirelli.
Over at Macclesfield's Moss Rose in the other friendly Derby were playing on the same night two more players, Slovakian Dusan Svento and ex-Olympiakos man Yannis Okkaf, were also trying to stake their claims for a move.
Back in Burton the Rams opted for a team split between experience and youth, a side which included just one of Billy Davies' summer signings so far, striker Rob Earnshaw.
With the town famous for the brewing industry situated just 12 miles from Derby it was an ideal chance for the travelling faithful to catch their first glimpse of a pint-sized frontman Davies calls the Rams' new "fox in the box" in action.
Burton had a couple of interesting names in their squad for the friendly too. Keeper James Russell is a former Chelsea youth player, but of more interest to Derby fans were two faces on the bench - veteran former stopper Martin Taylor and Albion's player manager Nigel Clough, son of legendary ex-Rams boss Brian.
The home side started brightly and with just four minutes played Daryl Clare almost scored with a speculative 40-yard lob that almost crept in after the Rams had lost possession in centre-field. Fortunately the ball drifted narrowly wide.
On eight minutes Keith Gilroy curled a shot just past the post as Burton pressed forward once again. At this early stage Derby had been dominating play on the ball but it was the hosts who had the best chances.
Earnshaw and partner up front Steve Howard showed signs of a promising "little and large" partnership early on, the former's pace and neat interplay contrasting well with the latter's height, strength and flick-ons.
On 25 Lee Camp produced a stunning fingertip save to push Jake Edward's header onto the woodwork just when it looked to be creeping in at the back post.
Three minutes later the Rams took the lead with a very well crafted goal, even if the finish was a simple one.
Academy product Jason Beardsley flighted a superb left-footed cross into the area which was perfect for Steve Howard. The big man saw his header tipped onto the bar by Russell, but Theodoridis anticipated it well and was there to mop up with a tap-in from a yard.
On 34 Edwards really should have levelled matters when fed by Gilroy but the big striker could only fire it straight at Camp from a central position six yards out.
It was time for a trademark Earnshaw back-flip with ten minutes to go to half-time as the striker bagged his first goal for the Rams. His initial shot deflected off John Brayford and out to Beardsley on the right. The young full-back sent in a lovely cross that Earnshaw despatched with a clinical header to make it 2-0.
Right on half-time the visitors came close to making it three, Theodoridis curling in an excellent left-sided corner right onto the head of Mo Camara who put a bouncing effort just wide.
Just over a minute after the break the talismanic Howard made the margin three with a perfect lob from 25 yards that sailed into the roof of the net. Earnshaw had once again caused havoc amongst the Burton defence and when his shot deflected into the path of Howard he wasted no time in scoring in style.
The central defensive partnership of Michael Johnson and Richard Jackson was keeping everything the hosts could throw at them at bay, with Beardsley and left-back Mo Camara controlling the flanks.
On 66 Camp's long ball was kept in by Earnshaw close to the goal-line. He got past his man and cut the ball back to the onrushing Theodoridis whose powerful drive was blocked by the newly introduced Danny Holmes.
A couple of minutes later Gilroy smacked a low piledriver against Camp's right post before, at the other end, the Rams won a corner. Theodoridis sent in the set-piece and Howard rose highest but could only head wide. Seconds later Earnshaw dragged a low shot wide.
Johnson then handed the captain's armband to Camp as he was replaced by Academy lad Mark Dudley before Burton made a triple substitution.
On 81 Camp pulled off another excellent save to push Harrad's shot round the post and from a melee following the resulting corner Shaw headed over the bar. A minute later Webster curled a free-kick over the woodwork.
Sub Anthony Robertson forced a Rams free-kick on the edge of the penalty area but Earnshaw missed the goal by some margin with a set-piece that wouldn't have been out of place at Twickenham.
A red sky enveloped Pirelli Stadium as the game came to a close on a good game that saw Burton gave their all but the Rams show their class in taking their chances when they came along.
Burton: Russell, Corbett, Farrell, Greaves (Harrad 71), Brayford, Austin (Holmes 65), Goodfellow (Shaw 71), McGrath, Edwards (Webster 71), Clare, Gilroy (Hall 82). Unused subs: Taylor, Clough.
Rams: Camp, Beardsley, Camara, Malcolm (Robertson 74), Jackson, Johnson (Dudley 70), Fagan, Olembe, Howard, Earnshaw, Theodoridis. Unused subs: Atkins, Ujcik, Amory.
Referee: Mr K A Woolmer
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