FULL TIME: Arnold Town 1-5 Derby County
Pringle shines in victory
Ben Pringle capped and impressing 90 minutes with a brace, as the Rams recorded a comfortable 5-1 win at a rain soaked Eagle Valley.
The score line could have been even greater, in Derby's favour, were it not for a magnificent goalkeeping performance from veteran Arnold Town stopper Lee Broster.
Other positives to come from the game were valuable run outs for Stephen Pearson, who captained the team and Steven Davies, who impressed again. Both were replaced on 55 minutes.
Goals from Academy graduate Jamaine Johnson and Ben Pringle gave Derby County a deserved 2-0 half time lead in North Nottingham.
Johnson's goal came after 8 minues, poking home from a Ben Pringle free kick from the left hand side.
The impressive Pringle then bagged a goal himself, scoring his first of the evening, a magnificent strike from 20 yards after 38 minutes.
Nigel Clough's side had countless other chances, with Steve Davies proving too hot to handle at times, creating numerous openings.
Arnold Town keeper Lee Broster was in fine form to deny the Rams more goals during the opening 45 minutes.
Broster continued the second half where he'd left off in the first, producing more magic to deny the Rams.
However, he was powerless to prevent Derby from extending their lead, when Alek Prijovic notched on 57 minutes to make it 0-3.
Arnold Town got on the score sheet themselves just five minutes later, with Chris Freestone converting a smart free kick past Rams keeper Ross Atkins, who had just replaced Roy Carroll.
The Rams restored their three goal advantage on 68 minutes when substitute Henrik Ojamaa slotted home from just inside the penalty area, making it 1-4.
However, the icing on the cake came with just five minutes remaining, when Ben Pringle capped a superb personal display with his second goal of the night, slotting home a crisp finish to the goalkeepers' right with 85 minutes on the clock.
Senior pros Roy Carroll, Jordan Stewart and Martin Albrechtsen were all replaced during the second half having had a good hour long run out, with the Rams using their full complement of substitutes.
Starting 11 for the Rams:
CARROLL
ALBRECHTSEN
STEWART
JOHNSON
NORDBERG
MENDY
PEARSON ©
PRINGLE
BEARDSLEY
PRIJOVIC
DAVIES
Subs:
OJAMAA
ATKINS (GK)
DUDLEY
MILLS
FORDE
