"It Was A Long Time Coming"

Full back Scott Malone could not hide his delight after netting his first goal for the club in the convincing 1-4 victory over West Bromwich Albion last night.

The left-back made it 0-4 with 20 minutes of the game remaining following a good lung-busting run and clever finish into the bottom corner.

The three points moved the Rams two points behind leaders Leeds United but Malone was happy to get off the mark for the season.

“I think the adrenaline got me from one end of the pitch to the other,” he said. “It was my first goal for over 12 months, so it was a long time coming.”

“I am not known for my last-ditch blocking and from that we went up the other end and I managed to score.

“I moved into space and managed to play a one-two with Mason Bennett and, with a good first touch, I managed to find the corner.”

Malone has had to be patient and bide his time following his arrival from Huddersfield Town in the summer. It was only the defender’s sixth start of the season and he is enjoying the battle for the starting spot.

“Craig and I are the two left-backs and I think we’ve both done well when called upon,” he commented.

“It is healthy competition and whoever starts gives their all. We have a big and good squad which I think will stand us in good stead for the rest of the season.”

The Rams have already taken six points from a possible six against two of the divisions high-flyers and they face another in-form team this week as Malone travels with the squad to the Riverside Stadium to face Middlesbrough.

Whilst the players enjoy the moment of the West Bromwich Albion victory, attention must quickly turn to that fixture.

“We will take massive belief to Middlesbrough on Saturday. Since the international break we have picked up two wins from two,” Malone explained.

“We’ve got a short rest ahead of a 12:30pm kick-off on Saturday afternoon. This win, against a Premier League outfit last season, is another massive boost and we can’t wait to get going again on Saturday.”