Continuing our look back at Derby’s second title winning season in 1974/1975, here RamsTrust reviews the matches played in March 1975.

The month started with Derby in 8^th place after 30 games, four points behind leaders Everton and with a game in hand over many of the teams above them in the table. Derby were first up against fourth bottom Spurs at the Baseball Ground on March 1 and were shocked when Spurs took a 10^th minute lead. However goals from Rioch, Peter Daniel & Roger Davies saw Derby run out comparatively comfortable 3-1 winners. A photo of Davies’ goal and Pat Jennings trying in vain to stop Peter Daniel’s effort is below.

Derby were next in action on March 8 with a trip to Stamford Bridge to face an inconsistent Chelsea side sat sixth bottom in the table. The Rams dominated on their way to a 2-1 win with goals from Peter Daniel and Alan Hinton both around the hour mark and ended the day in third spot, still four points behind leaders Everton.

Next up for Derby were fellow title rivals Stoke, sat in fifth place and only a point behind the Rams. Despite Kevin Hector opening the scoring early in the second half, two Jimmy Greenhoff goals saw Stoke run out 2-1 winners on one of the muddiest pitches probably ever seen in a top flight match! Highlights from the game are here.

The disappointment of losing to Stoke meant that Derby’s next fixture, away at Newcastle on March 22, took on greater importance. Newcastle had been strong at St James’ Park to that point, losing only twice in 14 games but Derby secured a precious two points with a fantastic defensive performance. David Nish opened the scoring after 15 minutes with a tame shot that McFaul spilled into his own net before Derby had to absorb significant Newcastle pressure. Bruce Rioch scored a second for Derby with a breakaway goal three minutes from time to secure a 2-0 win and move the Rams back to within four points of leaders Everton. Photos of McFaul’s spill and Rioch’s late goal are below.

The following Saturday, Derby welcomed second bottom Luton Town to the Baseball Ground. Luton had inflicted a shock defeat on the Rams back in December but this match was to be very different. Roger Davies left with the plaudits after scoring all five goals in a 5-0 thrashing – incredibly he also had two goals disallowed and was denied another by a fantastic save from the Luton goalkeeper. The result moved Derby back up to sixth place and now only three points behind new leaders Liverpool, after Everton had surprisingly been beaten 3-0 at Carlisle. A photo of Roger’s fourth goal is below.

A mere 48 hours after walloping Luton, Derby travelled to Turf Moor to face a Burnley side just one spot below them in the table. Derby’s recent good away form was to continue here though with an explosive 5-2 away win. Bruce Rioch set the tone with the opener after 28 seconds with further goals from Hector (2), Davies and Nish taking Derby up to 10 goals scored in three days. A photo after Hector’s second goal and Derby’s fifth on the day is below.

Derby finished March in fifth position but only two points behind leaders Everton with a game in hand and two games in hand over Liverpool in second and Stoke in third. It was clear the title challenge was starting to hot up and going into April with only six games left to play, the Rams would be hard to stop.