Birthday boy Francesco Baiano kept alive Jim Smith's dream of reaching an FA
Cup final for the first time after 30 years in management.
The tie was level at 1-1 when Baiano, 31 today, curled a 25-yard effort into
the top corner on 73 minutes to set Derby on their way to the quarter-finals for
the second time in three years.
Then eight minutes from time, he fired home from the edge of the box after
good work by Stefano Eranio.
It ended Huddersfield's involvement in the tournament and means Rams manager
Smith may yet reach Wembley in the world's premier domestic cup competition
after three decades of trying.
He was Portsmouth boss when they were beaten in the semi-finals by Liverpool
in a penalty shoot-out in 1992, but he is now just two wins from the Twin
Towers.
The daunting prize for Derby after winning tonight is a trip to Arsenal in the
last eight on March 6, but the Rams, who were last in the final in 1946, will be
grateful for the chance of a trip to Wembley in May.
For Baiano, tonight was the high spot of what has been a disappointing second
season in English football.
He had an impressive debut campaign for Derby last time around but has
struggled to find both form and fitness this term.
However, he is coming good just at the right time and after having to be
separated from Darren Edmondson when the duo clashed midway through the second
half, the Italian regained his cool to seal victory for his side.
Chris Beech, who put Huddersfield in front in the first game, repeated the
dose after a quarter of an hour, but Derby equalised through Tony Dorigo's
free-kick on 34 minutes.
Chances were created and wasted by both sides in a game which had more ups and
downs for both teams than a roller-coaster ride before Baiano's brace put the
game beyond the Division One side.
But those bare facts do not do this thrilling fifth round replay justice as it
was a match which entertained spectators but exasperated managers Smith and
Peter Jackson.
Deon Burton hit the woodwork twice and Lars Bohinen once in a thrilling first
half.
Both defences were caught out time and again as the two attacks gained the
upper hand, and the only mystery was how a mere two goals were scored before
half-time.
Nico Vaesen, man of the match at the McAlpine Stadium 11 days ago, made two
fine saves to deny Paulo Wanchope, while Burton could have had four inside the
first 40 minutes.
As well as hitting the frame of the goal twice, he fired into the side-netting
and Vaesen denied him at the near post.
Wanchope, back in from the start tonight after being on the bench on Saturday,
and Igor Stimac sent free headers over with Vaesen stranded, and Town were
relieved to concede just one before the break.
But though Derby dominated the early exchanges, Huddersfield caused problems
for the Premiership side whenever they went forward.
Marcus Stewart and Wayne Allison both missed good opportunities, while Russell
Hoult did magnificently to tip Ben Thornley's deflected drive over.
But it was from the resulting corner that Huddersfield took the lead. David
Phillips' mishit flag-kick evaded several bodies, and the unmarked Beech, a
recent £65,000 signing from Hartlepool, had the simplest of tasks to stoop and
nod home from three yards.
It was all hands to the pumps at the back from then on for Town, though, and
it was Dorigo - like Beech, a scorer in the first meeting - who levelled.
Kevin Gray was penalised for fouling Burton, a decision which prompted a
furious Edmondson to remonstrate with referee Paul Durkin and appear to bump
into the Dorset official.
His protests were in vain, and after Baiano touched the ball to Dorigo, the
former England international unleashed a fierce 25-yard drive which appeared to
clip a Town player as it flashed past a motionless Vaesen and arrowed into the
bottom corner.
Both bosses managed to instil some defensive discipline into their sides
during half-time, and opportunities were much harder to come by after the
break.
Allison shot wide from 12 yards, while Vaesen had no trouble at all gathering
Wanchope's low drive.
As the deadlock continued, tempers began to get frayed, and after the flash
point involving Baiano and Edmondson, Grant Johnson was booked for a reckless
challenge on the marauding Wanchope.
Baiano scored from that free-kick and when he grabbed his third goal of the
season soon after, Huddersfield knew they were on their way out.
Teams
Derby: Hoult, Carbonari, Schnoor, Dorigo, Stimac (Delap 88),
Wanchope, Bohinen, Carsley, Eranio, Burton, Baiano.
Subs Not Used: Poom, Sturridge, Harper, Hunt.
Booked: Bohinen.
Goals: Dorigo 34, Baiano 73, 82.
Huddersfield: Vaesen, Edmondson, Edwards, Johnson, Dyson, Gray,
Beech, Phillips (Baldry 80), Stewart, Allison,Thornley (Facey 77).
Subs Not Used: Senior, Beresford, Hessey.
Booked: Allison, Edwards, Johnson.
Goals: Beech 15.
Att: 28,704.
Ref: P Durkin (Portland).
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