West Mids progress into the next round of the prestigious National Police Cup was not as easy as the scoreline suggests due to West Mids not converting their first half chances. Derbyshire started well and created two good chances in the opening minutes that saw a cross shot fly across the face of the goal and a header just over from a corner.

West Mids then settled and dominated the rest of the first half. Mick Hart, Neill Hornby and Kevin Usher all saw shots just wide before, on 16 minutes a Paul Shaw cross found Lee Wharmby who's firm header hit the post. Then a long through ball went to Darren Wilkinson who pulled the ball back to Usher who fired over in front of an open goal. On 25 minutes, a neat West Mids passing move ended with Gavin Smith shooting wide. Three minutes later Smith sent Usher clear but the Derbyshire keeper saved a close range shot.

West Mids missed another good chance on 34 minutes, when Usher dispossessed a defender and crossed to Wharmby who headed just wide. A minute later West Mids made their pressure tell when Wharmby fed Smith who's cross found David Blake who was left to pick his spot from close range to score the opening goal. Just before half time West Mids went close to increasing their lead, when, from a half cleared Hart corner, Wharmby had a looping shot tipped over the bar.

Derbyshire started the second half firing on all cylinders, and West Mids keeper Richard Knott was in fine form on 53 minutes, to save a fierce drive from 15 yards at the second attempt. Then, from a Derbyshire corner, a shot was thumped onto the West Mids cross bar. Derbyshire equalised on 60 minutes, when a long ball skimmed off the head of Hart and left Derbyshire's number 7 to run on and slot the ball past Knott. This goal woke up the West Mids and on 66 minutes, a long ball from Paul Webb found Blake on the right flank and an inch perfect cross was nodded home by Usher on the far post.

West Mids then took total control and added a third on 81 minutes, When Wilkinson played the ball down the channel for Blake to run on and fire home from close range. A minute later, it was all over when West Mids substitute Dayle Speed sent Blake away again to complete his hat-trick with another clinical finish.

Match Report by Tony 'Scoop' Pearson
West Midlands Police Football Club Press Officer