New boys show future is bright

Photo: Alan Howarth

INSTANT IMPRESSION . . . new loan signing Matt Derbyshire slots home Athletic’s equaliser.

Athletic 2, Notts Co 2
FEW draws against teams reduced to 10 players can have been greeted with such careful but tangible enthusiasm.

Athletic were a man to the good for three-quarters of this contest, after Notts County midfielder Andre Boucaud became the latest victim of the modern-day drive to outlaw tackling.

The familiar failings were present in Paul Dickov’s side. Both goals conceded to the table-topping Magpies can be filed in the bulging folder marked ‘sloppy’ and this was another home game that wasn’t won. Athletic have only picked up one victory from the last eight games at Boundary Park.

But there was no lack of promise within the gaining of a point here.

The optimism encircling Boundary Park fed on the quality of the new men brought into the club in a flurry of activity late last week.

Reasons to be cheerful: a debut goal for Matt Derbyshire. The striker was playing Champions League football two years ago and the 26 year old answered Athletic’s striker SOS to produce a smart, level-headed finish when one-on-one with County ‘keeper Bartosz Bialkowski.

Reasons to be cheerful: A confident showing by Reece Wabara. The acquisition of Manchester City’s highly promising right-back was one Dickov revealed he had been working on for 18 months. No wonder, on this evidence. The 20-year-old was making his second-ever professional start, but his quality on the ball was that of a veteran.

Reasons to be cheerful: Jose Baxter scored and would have had two goals on his debut off the substitutes’ bench had it not been for an offside flag against Matt Smith.

The ex-Everton man, with Athletic until at least the turn of next year, was dynamite in his 13-minute cameo. If this is him not quite match fit, then fans are in for a treat when he gets up to speed.

The fourth debutant, Chris Sutherland, might have joked afterwards that he didn’t touch the ball as a late substitute; but his introduction was a nod of confidence from Dickov.

The manager’s mood would have been lighter after the game had referee Sarginson not turned down three penalty appeals before finally handing Simpson the chance he failed to take from the spot in the 68th minute.

At that point, the game was level at 1-1. Had the man in the middle ruled to the home team’s advantage, Athletic could have been well clear.

Very little happened before the red card, which was protested vigorously by County’s disbelieving players. Boucaud possibly skimmed the top of the ball when lunging at Cliff Byrne in the 23rd minute and it was hardly a reckless action.

After the break the home team suddenly found their feet. Lee Croft played a neat through ball which bisected the defence and Derbyshire stepped around the goalkeeper to net an equaliser.

And the trick was repeated when Baxter turned in a Montano header at the far post. The livewire striker would have headed a winner in the sixth minute of added time had it not been for the assistant’s raised flag. It wasn’t three points, but it certainly was exciting.


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