An Ince-stant impact from Tom helped the Rams to easily dispatch the toothless Trotters.

It was the perfect end to a morale-boosting week where additions were made, speculation was laughed off and George Thorne’s return was described as, ‘very near.’

The team news brought little surprises, with Ince predictably given his debut in place of Dawkins. There was still no place for Bryson with Hendrick again preferred and in need of a much improved performance. Thankfully, both he and the team delivered.

Not that the opening thirty-odd minutes gave any indication of a goal-rush. Clear cut chances were at a premium, as too were empty-seats, with another impressive thirty-thousand plus crowd inside the iPro.

Derby started patchily, with a couple of misplaced passes and sloppy control. To their credit, Bolton pressed high and looked as fiery as their gaffer’s hair.

Ah, Neil Lennon. The sort of man you can imagine arguing with his reflection in the mirror. From minute one, his behaviour was like that of a petulant toddler after you’ve taken their favourite toy away. The fourth official played the role of exasperated father very well throughout…

Anyhow, back on the pitch… after a free-kick from ex-Ram Bannan was headed over, Hendrick lashed high into the South Stand as the teams jostled for position. Ince was looking lively on his debut and he really should have had an assist soon after.

A deep cross from Forsyth found its way to him on the far post, with his cut back demanding a tap-in but instead getting Ward on his heels as the ball was cleared.

At the other end, youngster Clough was doing his best Nigel impression. No, not making subs with less than ten minutes left, but looking a threat going forwards.

The aptly-named Trotter really should have seen at least a yellow for a lunge on Hughes, the first of many on him throughout the contest. Curiously, the fact that not even a foul was given - led me to nearly give up my free Specsavers eye-test to the ref…

The Rams were hustling and bustling but were guilty of playing at too slow a tempo as the game grew a little tedious. Grant had to be alert to deny Clough in the box, before Ince and Hendrick both saw shots blocked in decent positions. Ince’s clever movement was causing problems, with the Rams slowly finding their stride. What the game needed was a bit of class. It soon got it.

Martin took a trademark tumble around twenty-five yards out, with a fall as aesthetically pleasing as watching Tom Daly after ten pints.

Nevertheless, free-kick given. And what a free-kick. Ince placed the ball and as I saw his teammates walk away, I just had a feeling. As soon as it left his foot, it was there. A curling, dipping strike which left Lonergan in goal clutching thin air and eating the post.

Superb!

More nearly came after, as a superb through ball from Mascarell found Ince again, cleverly running in from the right. The ball was just too far ahead though, as Ince’s toe poke over the keeper trickled just wide. We needn’t have worried. It was soon 2-0.

Not for the first or last time, a Rams goal was created by the magician that is Will Hughes. Winning the ball on the right, his combination with Martin then saw him release Hendrick in the box. Stepping outside his man, perhaps Jeff was fortunate to be the beneficiary of a ricochet, but his composed finish left-footed was no fluke.

2-0.

Half time. And pretty much game over.

And it really was over less than five minutes into the second half or ‘Suicide,’ in the words of Lennon. Bolton’s right-back presented the ball to Hendrick. His pull-back to Martin was good, Martin’s subsequent pass to Hughes was superb and Hughes then found Ince unmarked on the overlap for him to lash in his second and Derby’s third.

Cigars and deckchairs out? Well, not quite.

Within a couple of minutes, we conceded the type of goal that we used to concede. A whipped set piece from Bannan on the left was flicked on expertly by Shotton to the unmarked Twardzik at the far-stick, who had the simple task of heading past Grant, who subsequently quickly folded away his chair and stubbed his cigar out on the post…

Perhaps for five or so minutes, we may have got a little nervy, with Bolton forcing a couple of corners. There was little though in the way of attacking threat to unduly worry us. We were soon back on the front foot, with Martin’s clever pass to Ward and the subsequent placed shot well saved low to Lonergan’s left.

After a slow start, our midfield was now running the show, with Hughes again the pick of the bunch. At one point, he made me dizzy with a 720 degree turn. Like being on ‘The Waltzers’, only more fun. Any hope of an unlikely Wanderers comeback was then extinguished, with Derby scoring a most unlike Derby goal.

Mascarell’s long angled free kick to the far side of the box was met by Buxton, who towered over ex-Ram Dean Moxey - the sort of result you would have expected when you let a lightweight fight a heavyweight.

Anyway, Jake’s towering leap and nod across the box left Hendrick with the sort of finish that my Mum could have managed.

Facing the other way. Asleep. Game over.

What added to the moment brilliantly - was watching Lee Grant leading the chorus of; ‘Since I was Young,’ in celebration.

Just what Bolton would have wanted to see then was Darren Bent striding off the bench alongside Dawkins, replacing Martin and Ward with Tuesday no doubt very much in Steve’s mind. Bent almost scored soon after, a trademark run in behind to meet Hendrick’s clever pass finished with a snap-shot wide of the near post.

Dawkins also went close after a Bent knockdown as we began to turn on the style.

Off the pitch and one of the best atmospheres of the season was compounded with, shall we say a rotund Wanderers fan gleefully bouncing bare-chested to our songs…. ‘You normally have to pay good-money to see a pair like that.’

We then decided to take it easy on the Wanderers as Hughes was taken off, to be replaced by some fella called Bryson. He was immediately into the action with a rasping shot over the top.

Dawkins really should have made it five soon after, with his tame header from the middle of the goal directed straight at Lonergan.

Injury time and Ince scoring a hat trick would have been the perfect dessert to a superb meal - and my word he want close. Released in the box and shooting at the near-post, only to see his shot crash off the aforementioned woodwork and away.

There was still time for Keogh to receive an almighty let-off as, deep into time allowed, he decided to wrestle Le Fondre to the ground when clean through. With my head already in my hands, I was nearly as dumbfounded as the Bolton striker, to see both the referee and linesman give… absolutely nothing.

When it goes for you, it really does go for you. Plus, perhaps the fact that we were playing Bolton and not Chelsea had something to do with it. Oh no sorry, I forgot Mr Mourinho… there’s clearly a vendetta against you…! Before anymore shenanigans could occur, the ref blew up.

A convincing, deserved victory and a superb debut for Mr Ince.

If he could just bag a few more on Tuesday night, that would be great…

Weston’s Player Ratings:

Lee Grant — 7: Did well with everything that he had to do. Brilliant celebration with the fans at 4-1.

Ryan Shotton — 7: Certainly gives us a more solid base at right-back but would like to see Christie back.

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