Ref Tierney in charge of east Midlands derby
REFEREE Paul Tierney will take charge of his first east Midlands derby when Nottingham Forest host Derby County on Sunday.
The 39-year-old has been confirmed as the man to take control when the two Championship play-off hopefuls meet at the City Ground in what is usually an explosive and feisty encounter.
His assistant referees will be Andrew Fox (Warwickshire) and Steven Plane (Worcestershire) with Darren Drysdale (Lincolnshire) acting as the fourth official.
Tierney, from Lancashire, has overseen six games in all competitions so far this season and was handed a Premier League trial game at the end of last month.
The Wigan-based whistler oversaw Swansea's 3-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion prior to the international break.
He has already brandished 21 yellow cards and two red cards, as well as two penalties.
Tierney, a hairdresser by trade, has been a National List referee since the start of the 2008/09 season having previously served as a Premier League linesman.
Although allowing the game to flow as much as possible, he has built a reputation as a card-happy official in his four previous seasons in the Football League.
Last term, Tierney took charge of 35 matches in all competitions, brandishing 110 yellows and 13 red cards while awarding 11 penalties.
Forest v Derby clashes are normally handled by officials from the "Talent Group" - potential promotion candidates for the Select Group.
Simon Hooper officiated the corresponding fixture last term - a 1-0 win for Forest over 10-man Derby - while Michael Naylor was in the middle for Derby's thumping 5-0 victory at the iPro Stadium in March.
Championship leaders Forest have won four of their five league games while seventh-placed Derby have been largely inconsistent thus far, recording two wins, two draws and a defeat.
Both sides will also be competing for the Brian Clough Trophy, the prize awarded to the winner of the derby in recognition of the legendary former manager of both clubs.
The stand-alone game of the weekend in the Football League will be screened live on Sky Sports 1 and 1HD, kicking off at 13:15 BST.
Last updated: 9 September 2014
16:55pm
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