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| Review of the Season 1997-98 |
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| Dr. Marten's League reports FA Umbro Trophy reports Dr. Marten's League Cup reports | |
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Cambridge City (25/10) Atherstone United (1/11) Tamworth (15/11) Forest Green (6/12) Dorchester Town (20/12) Gresley Rovers (26/12) Bromsgrove Rovers (28/12) Gresley Rovers (1/1) Ashford Town (17/1) Atherstone United (27/1) St Leonards (7/2) Crawley Town (14/2) Merthyr Tydfil (24/2) Gloucester City (7/3) Nuneaton Borough (28/3) Rothwell Town (11/4) Cambridge City (13/4) Merthyr Tydfil (18/4) Tamworth (25/4) Salisbury City (2/5) (3Q) Halesowen Town (29/11) (1) Witton Albion (10/1) (2) Gloucester City (31/1) (2R) Gloucester City (3/2) (1-2) Tamworth (4/11) (2) Moor Green (16/12) Saturday 2nd May 1998 Salisbury save skins, but Brewers bag bronze
Dr. Marten's League Premier Division Burton Albion 1 Garner Salisbury City 2 Thompson, Bright Attendance: 751
Burton Albion's season of up's and down's reached it's conclusion with nothing like the flourish the Eton Park faithful were anticipating, but results elsewhere let Albion off the hook for a mediocre performance, and the Brewers equal the club record third place finish in the Dr. Marten's League Premier Division set three years ago, in John Barton's first full season as manager. The fine run of form which has propelled Barton's men from the realms of mid-table mediocrity to a highly respectable final placing can't make up for the early season shakes which cost the Brewers' expensively assembled squad a tilt at the title, but it will at least ensure their manager gets another season to try and bring to Eton Park the success which his predecessors have been unable to deliver.
Salisbury players celebrate after securing their Premier Division status in a 2-1 win at Eton Park Sadly, this performance was more reminiscent of early-season Albion, as the Brewers struggled to break through a Salisbury side who had more desire to win - not surprising as the Wiltshire side needed three points to make sure of their Premier Division survival. As hard working City hustled and harried, there were early signs of Albion jitters when keeper Nick Goodwin lost control of the ball by the touchline, but Salisbury couldn't capitalise. After an untterly nondescript opening period, Salisbury stunned the home crowd by taking the lead after 14 minutes. Striker Dave Bright skilfully chipped the ball over Grocutt on the edge of the box before driving in a shot which Goodwin could only parry, before feeding Mark Thompson from the rebound, who scored from close range. Buoyed by their early lead, Salisbury, roared on by their travelling army of supporters (all five of them!), seemed to be firmly in control of the game. Bright was in the thick of the action upfront, having a header rebound off the post, and a shot sail over Goodwin's crossbar, and when the Brewers equaliser came, just before the half hour, it was from virtually their first meaningful assault on goal. Micky Cotter, chasing a long ball out of defence, was brought down in the box by Baird, and referee Mr Singh of Coseley- officiating his last ever Dr. Marten's League game before retirement- had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Andy Garner stepped up to convert his 18th goal of the season, a respectable tally at the end of a season in which the former Gresley striker has borne his fair share of criticism.
Dave Bright gives Salisbury a half-time lead Just as supporters were contemplating their half-time cuppa at the end of a woeful first period, Dave Bright, provider of the first goal, arrived unmarked in the Albion box to head in a goal of his own from a Danny Holmes cross, to give Salisbury a deserved lead at the interval. The second half was a similar story, with the two Salisbury scorers having chances to add to their tallies - Nick Goodwin having to be on his toes to spare Albion's blushes. Mark Blount came close for Albion with a headed effort, Steve Spooner had a shot saved by keeper Mogg, and Nick Ashby saw a speculative long range effort sail just over, but by far the best chance of the half for Albion fell to Micky Cotter. With the game nearing it's end, the Brewers striker capitalised on suicidal defending from Salisbury to make a clear run on goal, but shot wastefully wide with only the keeper to beat, earning him the derision of the home supporters. The final whistle was greeted by boo's from the home supporters, and jubilation from the Salisbury players and management, who knew they had done enough to survive the drop for another year. Not the best way to bring the curtain down on another season of football at Eton Park, but this performance -an end of season defeat against a team desperate for survival- should not detract too much from the Eton Park revival which has earned John Barton an extension to his contract. We have finally seen in the latter part of this season, some of the consistency which is needed to win championships, as the Brewers boss has finally been able to field an unchanged team comprised of almost a full squad of players. So many times this season -with injuries, suspensions, and above all else the tragic death of Simon Redfern, fate has seemed to conspire against Burton Albion, that to finish third is a creditable acheivment of which we should be proud. Now the challenge for John Barton and his team is to carry through the progress that has been made into next season. With the anti-climax which followed last August's pre-season hype still fresh in the mind, no-one will be making any bold predictions for next year, but we can at least hope that the team spirit which has been built up in this most troublesome of seasons will only strengthen the resolve of the players and management to acheive their true potential, when the new campaign begins in August. Albion team: 1-Goodwin 2-Davies 5-Blount 4-Grocutt 3-Ashby 7-Lyons (15-Ejiofor) 9-Stride 6-Spooner 11-Holmes 8-Cotter 9-Garner (12-Hornby) Subs (not used): 15-Benton
Blounty is supporters top man, and it's "Goodbye Mr Singh!"
Mark Blount with the supporters Player of the Season award Mark Blount (pictured above) picked up the supporters Player of the Year award as fans gathered on the Eton Park pitch for the now traditional end of season prizegivings. The central defender, a Championship winner with Gresley last season and signed by John Barton in the summer, has proved not only to be by far the best value for money of the pre-season signings, but also the most consistent and reliable performer throughout a season in which John Barton has rarely had the luxury of fielding a first choice squad of players. A rock at the heart of defence, Blount's precision tackling, skillfull passing and goals scored at crucial moments make him one of the best players in the Dr. Marten's League, and far and away the top performer in Burton Albion colours this season. It was therefore no surprise when Blount was called up to receive the award, voted for by Brewers fans.
Steve Spooner receives the runner-up prize in the supporters Player of the Season (left), whilst (right) James Benfield receives the inaugural Simon Redfern award for most promising young player at the club- presented by Simon's widow Helen, and (obscured) Simon's mother, Mrs Joan Redfern. The only competition was for runers up spot - keeper Nick Goodwin has brought a new assuredness to the Albion defence after coming out of retirement to return to Eton Park in October, and Darren Stride must also have been amongst the candidates, but the runners-up spot was edged by veteran midfielder Steve Spooner - another player who defies the advancing years with the effort he puts in in training- and a consistent performer at the heart of the Brewers squad. Andy Garner picked up the award for top scorer -18 since his arrival from Gresley early in the season- and nippy midfielder Pat Lyons picked up the final Player of the Month Award of the season, for April. Also presented after the Salisbury game, for the first time was the Simon Redfern Award for the most promising player at the club. Simon's widow Helen and his mother Joan Redfern were present to hand over the trophy which will be awarded every season henceforth, as a continuing memorial to Simon's memory. Youth team player James Benfield had the honour of being the inaguaral recipient of the award.
Mr Singh of Coseley receives a presentation from Brewers boss John Barton, to commemorate the referee's retirement One other presentation took place- to referee Mangal Singh to commemorate the official's last match before retiring. Mr Singh has been a familiar face on the Dr. Marten's League circuit for many years, and his good humour (not to mention his distinctive bandy-legged run!) will be sorely missed. A cry of "about time" was heard from one Albion wag when Mr Singh's retirement was announced after the Salisbury game, but the fact that Mr Singh himself laughed along with the rest of the crowd shows that he is a good sport. The words "M. Singh of Coseley" have appeared in the match programme for the last time...it is truly the end of an era! Finally, a word of congratulations to the Brewers Youth team, who had a magnificent season, and lifted the Endsleigh Reserve Combination Championship. Let's hope that next season the first team can emulate the success of the Brewers starts of the future!
Saturday 25th April 1998 Brewers shut-out, Cotter sent off in Lamb tussle Dr. Marten's League Premier Division Tamworth 1 Bennett Burton Albion 1 Holmes Attendance: 786 The Brewers found themselves shut out by neighbours Tamworth in more ways than one, as the stalemate between the two teams this season continued to hold. The Lamb Ground is never the most hospitable of places to visit but Tamworth's club stewards found a novel way of making the visiting team feel unwelcome - by not letting them into the ground! The arriving Burton team were apparently denied entry at the gate on the grounds that they didn't have a match ticket, and according to reports on BBC Radio Derby one steward was seen gesticulating and pointing angrily at Albion Chairman Ben Robinson in the unseemly squabble! On the pitch there was no love lost between the two sides either, as this hard-fought local derby produced a 1-1 scoreline for the third time in contests between the sides this season. A tightly contested first half had produced few clearcut chances when the contest exploded on 20 minutes when Brewers striker Micky Cotter was shown the red card, for apparently elbowing Tamworth's Jon Howard, with the ball dead for an Albion free kick. The Lambs' number 6 appeared to make a meal of the tussle, earning him the derision of the travelling Brewers fans, and Cotter had to be dragged from the pitch by physio Matt Brown after he continued to remonstrate furiously with Howard. The Lamb remains an unhappy hunting ground for Cotter- he was sent off there a year ago in the Birmingham Senior Cup Final. The Brewers weathered a spell of Tamworth pressure and the game seemed likely to reach half time scoreless, when David Holmes produced a peach of a goal to spark celebrations from the 300-strong travelling support, a minute before the interval. Receiving the ball on the left, with no apparent way through to goal, Holmes almost magically flicked the ball over defender Batchelor and launched a perfectly flighted shot high into the Tamworth net. Buoyed by their goal, the ten-men Brewers still had time for another chance before the break, Pat Lyons' shot sailing just wide of Rowe's post.
David Holmes (out of picture) curls a superb effort into the Tamworth net Tamworth sought to exploit their advantage in numbers after half time, bringing on an extra striker- Ian Bennett, in place of defender Michael Crawford. But it was the Brewers who had two clear chances to kill off the game within the space of a few minutes- David Holmes twice wasting opportunities to add to his tally. A defence-splitting pass from Pat Lyons found Holmes onside and clear through on goal, but the Brewers numner 11 seemed to have too much time on the ball, and he lobbed wide with only the keeper to beat. Then, a few minutes later, another Lyons pass, and again Holmes shot wide when it seemed easier to score. As so often happens, the Brewers were left to rue their missed chances, as Tamworth pulled back the equaliser after 66 minutes. A head on from Batchelor found substitute Bennett who easily converted from close range. And the Lambs came close to a winner four minutes later, Gray's header going agonisingly close to goal. Emeka Ejiofor made a late appearance on the ground where he scored in last season's Birmingham Senior Cup Final, but there was to be no repeat performance from the young striker, as the match finished all square. So, a hard earned point for the ten-men Brewers in their last away game this season, and a pleasant end-of-term outing in the sunshine for the supporters who have remained loyal throughout the campaign. Albion stay third, but a victory by Bath City in their game in hand would lift them above the Brewers in the Dr. Marten's League Table. Otherwise, Albion could go into next Saturday's final match, at home to Salisbury City knowing a win will be good enough to equal the club best third place acheived by John Barton in his first full season as manager.
Albion team: 1-Goodwin 2-Davies 5-Blount 4-Grocutt 3-Ashby 7-Lyons 9-Stride 6-Spooner 11-Holmes 8-Cotter (sent-off-20) 9-Garner (15-Ejiofor) Subs (not used):12-Benton, 14-Smith Saturday 18th April 1998 Barnstorming Brewers scupper Martyrs title hopes
Dr. Marten's League Premier Division Burton Albion 3 Grocutt, Cotter, Lyons Merthyr Tydfil 0 Attendance: 1,001 If only the season went on for another month! On this form, John Barton's team would surely be unstoppable in their pursuit of that long sought-after promotion. Alas, it's too late for that, but the Brewers can at least have a hand in deciding the destiny of the Dr. Marten's League Shield. Having completed a convincing double over Forest Green earlier in the season, Albion yesterday cruised to victory over the Gloucestershire side's only challengers for the Championship, and ensured that the race for the title will go down to the wire, probably culminating in a titanic battle between the two main protagonists at The Lawns a week on Wednesday. A healthy crowd came to witness Eton Park's penultimate match of the season, with Bass's Brewery band and the appearance of the FA Carling Premiership Trophy adding a carnival atmosphere to the occasion. And it wasn't long before the 1,001 crowd had a goal to cheer, after an evenly balanced opening quarter of an hour. Just as at Cambridge on Bank Holiday Monday, a header from a David Holmes corner put the Brewers in front- Darren Grocutt arriving at the near post to nod in his first goal since rejoining the Brewers from Bromsgrove in February. Once the goal went in there looked only one team in it, as the Brewers' neat passing and determined tackling kept the ball inside the visitors half for long periods. Andy Garner had a shooting chance from the edge of the box after receiving Cotter's lay off, but blasted wide of Thomas's goal. Garner also saw an ambitious free kick attempt sail past the post, and there were chances for Cotter and Spooner, as Albion sought a second goal before the interval. A miskick from Brewers' keeper Nick Goodwin almost let Dean Clarke in shortly before half-time, but the Martyrs frontman could not convert a rare scoring opportunity for the Welshmen. Merthyr had made changes during the break, Summers coming on to replace Evans, but Albion continued to dominate and were rewarded with a second goal on 56 minutes. A free kick from deep was headed into the box by David Holmes, and Micky Cotter made a run through the Merthyr defence to lift a delicate chip over keeper Thomas. This prompted more changes from the visitors bench, Anthony Jenkins replacing Clarke, but the Brewers were by now in irresistible form. Micky Cotter came closest to adding to the Brewers tally, forcing Thomas into a miskick inside his own box, but the angle was too narrow and Cotter's shot was pushed away by the Merthyr keeper. Darren Stride also came close to finishing a pass from Holmes, but it was hardworking midfielder Pat Lyons who got the goal which killed the game off, his shot from close range adjudged to have crossed the line after rebounding off the post. So the Brewers take another step closer to equalling the club record third-place for the second time in John Barton's managership, and do a big favour to Forest Green boss Frank Gregan in the process. His team are now two points clear of Merthyr at the top of the Dr. Marten's Premier Division, both teams having three left to play, and both, of course, still having to play each other. For the Brewers, just two games remaining: away at Tamworth this coming Saturday, 25th April, and home to Salisbury City on the final day of the season, Saturday May 2nd (Both Kick-Off 3pm). Albion team: 1-Goodwin 2-Davies 5-Blount 4-Grocutt 3-Ashby 7-Lyons 9-Stride 6-Spooner 11-Holmes 10-Garner 8-Cotter Subs (not used): 12-Hornby, 14-Benton, 15-Ejiofor, Monday 13th April 1998 Blount header lifts Brewers to third
Dr. Marten's League Premier Division Cambridge City 0 Burton Albion 1 Blount Attendance: 369 Albion return from a typically tricky trip to Milton Road with three points which propel them to an almost nosebleed-inducing third place in the Dr. Marten's League, after recording their first victory in ten attempts over bogey team Cambridge City. A brilliant 80th minute header from Mark Blount gave the Brewers a scarcely deserved victory over a well organized and skilfull City team which looked far from being relegation candidates. Heavy rain over Eastern England had left this fixture in some doubt but bright Bank Holiday sunshine made for pleasant conditions at kick-off - in fact the only problem for the players was avoiding the cowpats on Milton Road's farmers field of a pitch. Albion hardly got out of first gear until midway through the first half, as they were pushed back by wave after wave of Cambridge attack. The wonderfully named Junior McDougald became the first of many to rattle the visitors' woodwork when his header from Harriot riccocheted off the bar early on. The Brewers came into the game slightly more as the half progressed but any openings they did have were wasted by poor finishing. Bennett almost gave the home side a deserved half-time lead just before the interval but his shot came back off the post. The second half offered more of the same- City continuing to push Albion back into playing deep, with the Brewers offering few ideas when they did manage to break out of their own half. McDougall had Nick Goodwin beaten with a fine shot on 66 minutes, but the woodwork again denied the City frontman. Then four minutes later, the breakthrough appeared to have been made for hard working Cambridge. Defender Steve Holden went down in the Albion area, the home fans appealed, and a signal from the linesman alerted referee Mr Sharp to a push on the City number 5 by Brewers striker Andy Garner. But yet again the woodwork came to the rescue of John Barton's team. Andy Pincher blasted first his penalty, and then the resulting rebound against Goodwin's right hand post. Perhaps sensing that, for once this season, luck was on their side, the Brewers pushed forward more promisingly, and were rewarded with a fine goal ten minutes from time. David Holmes, taking the Brewers first corner of the half, and only their second of the game, launched a perfectly delivered cross which was met with a bullet like header from Mark Blount -crowning another fine performance by the Brewers defender. It was a fine goal to secure the three points for Albion, but Cambridge must count themselves unlucky- on this evidence they will build on what looks like Premier Division safety this season, to push for higher things next campaign. The Brewers, on the other hand, are now in the driving seat for a club record-equalling third place finish, and with Championship contenders Merthyr the visitors to Eton Park this Saturday, Albion fans can only look wistfully back to the disappointments of earlier this season and to think of what might have been. Remaining Matches: Merthyr Tydfil (Home) Saturday 18th April, Tamworth (Away) Saturday 25th April, Salisbury City (Home) Saturday 2nd May. Albion team: 1-Goodwin 2-Davies 5-Blount 4-Grocutt 3-Ashby 7-Lyons 9-Stride (12-Hornby 58) 6-Spooner 11-Holmes 10-Garner 8-Cotter Subs (not used): 14-Ejiofor, 15-Smith Saturday 11th April 1998 Garner double breaks Bones
Dr. Marten's League Premier Division Burton Albion 3 Lyons, Garner (2) Rothwell Town 0 Attendance: 628 Two goals in two minutes from Andy Garner finished off Rothwell and pushed the Brewers into the top six in the Dr. Marten's League, with four games remaining. In the end John Barton's team breezed to victory but the emphatic scoreline flattered the home side, with Rothwell having had their fair share of chances as the Brewers failed to impress in a disappointing first half. Garner had the chance to put Albion in front after just two minutes, but blasted his shot over from close range. The Brewers continued to dominate possession, but couldn't find the cutting edge necessary to penetrate a Rothwell back four which included ex-Brewer Dougie Keast amongst their ranks. David Holmes had the chance to threaten Parson's goal but hit his cross too close to the keeper, then Steve Spooner had a header sail just over the crossbar, but as the half progressed the visitors increasingly began to push into Albion territory. Andy Kirkup profited from rare slips by Blount and Davies, and striker Danny Finlay twice broke through on goal, but both times fluffed his finish when faced by the advancing Goodwin. Neither side could convert their spells of possesion into goals, and the half finished goalless, to boos from an unimpressed Eton Park crowd. Rothwell, desperately in need of points to keep them hovering above the relegation mire, started the second half brightly, but six minutes after the interval they had gone behind. The Bones' defence failed to clear Holmes' cross properly, and little Pat Lyons toe-poked the ball in from just inside the box. Encouraged by their lead, the Brewers threatened to open the floodgates, with a Darren Stride header bringing a fingertip save from Parsons. Micky Cotter had only the keeper to beat but elected to nudge the ball along for Garner to tap in, but the Brewers number 10 was offside.
Lyons King! Pat Lyons celebrates opening the scoring against Rothwell (Burton Mail) On 76 minutes Garner finally did get his name on the scoresheet. Substitute Emeka Ejiofor, just on to replace the ineffective Cotter upfront, supplied a high looping cross from the right, which seemed to be going behind, but Garner stole in at the far post to make it 2-0. And two minutes later Garner had netted his second- with a little help from the linesman. Darren Stride appeared to be a mile offside when he picked up the ball midway inside the visitors half, but the flag stayed down. A pass across the face of goal allowed Garner to convert another simple goal, to the dismay of the Rothwell players, who didn't hesitate to vent their anger at the referee. Rothwell are now just one point above the relegation zone after today's defeat. Wins for Sittingbourne and Bromsgrove today kept the pressure on the teams immediately above them, as the scrap to avoid joining already relegated St Leonards and Ashford intensifies. Dr. Marten's League table... Albion team: 1-Goodwin 2-Davies 5-Blount 4-Grocutt 3-Ashby 7-Lyons 9-Stride 6-Spooner 11-Holmes 8-Cotter (14-Ejiofor) 10-Garner Subs (not used): 12-Benton, 15-Hornby Saturday 28th March 1998 Double derby glee as Brewers close gap
Dr. Marten's League Premier Division Burton Albion 1 Holmes Nuneaton Borough 0 Attendance: 864 An eighth minute lob from David Holmes was enough to claim all six points from the double derby clash against neighbours Nuneaton Borough, as the Brewers continued to home in on their target of a third place finish, now just three points within their grasp. More assured defending from Albion, and another fine performance from the ever-reliable Nick Goodwin in goal repelled some late pressure from Boro' in a hard fought game of few chances. After a scrappy opening the match was brought to life courtesy of a superb move from the Brewers, and the only goal of the game. An inch-perfect, searching ball over the visitors defence from Andy Garner found David Holmes, who saw Paul Hayward well off his line, and lobbed the Boro' keeper, to net his seventh goal of the season. Garner and Holmes were again involved in Albion's closest first half chance of adding to their lead, from a set-piece. Holmes and Steve Spooner between them set up Garner for a blistering 20 yard free kick which Hayward could only parry, Micky Cotter blasting the rebound against the post. The Brewers did have the ball in the back of the net shortly before half-time, Garner shooting in from close range, but David Holmes' crossed ball had gone out of play before Cotter headed it back in. Albion continued to look in control in the second half, without having too many chances on goal. Dave Benton ,of all people, did come close with a 25 yard shot, from a Cotter pass, but as the half progressed Boro' came more into the game. Ian Drewitt forced a fine save out of Goodwin, and after he and Furnell were replaced on 57 minutes, substitute Richard Bailey continued to pose problems in front of goal, but the evergreen Goodwin was equal to everything thrown at him. Micky Cotter was replaced for the Brewers by youngster Ejiofor as the tie reached a conclusion, having seemed to have been carrying an injury for most of the game. The Albion striker gave a cheeky wave to the Nuneaton fans who had harangued him for his part in the sending off of Gary Statham in last week's match at Manor Park, but it's the Brewers who have the last laugh having completed a nicely satisfying double over their old rivals, and extending their fine run of form to seven wins out of eight matches. Albion will, now more than ever, be rueing their inconsistent form earlier in the season, but John Barton will be hoping that a storming finish to the season can be used as a springboard for the new campaign. Albion team: 1-Goodwin 2-Davies 5-Blount 4-Grocutt 7-Benton 3-Lyons 9-Stride (12-Smith) 6-Spooner 11-Holmes 10-Cotter (14-Ejiofor) 8-Garner Subs (not used):15-Middleton Saturday 7th March 1998 Mokler blunder aids Albion avengers
Dr. Marten's League Premier Division Burton Albion 2 Garner, Marlowe Gloucester City 1 Mainwaring Attendance 731 Albion extracted a small amount of revenge on the team which knocked them out of the FA Trophy on penalties earlier this season, coming from behind to notch up another three points to aid their bid for a top six finish, thanks to a rare mistake from Gloucester keeper Steve Mokler. Darren Grocutt returned to a Brewers team for the first time in two and a half years, after missing the las three matches since his re-signing from Bromsgrove through suspension, and took his place in the centre of defence, with Matthew Smith filling in at left back in place of the injured Nick Ashby.
Brewers midfielder Darren Stride tangles with City forward Adie Mings (Burton Mail) The two sides, meeting for the third time this season, looked evenly matched but Gloucester edged the first half, with Albion producing few clearcut chances. Andy Mainwaring gave City the lead on 24 minutes, following up Andy Tucker's rebounded effort to steer his shot in skilfully from inside the box. But, as in the last home match against Crawley, John Barton's men came out fighting after the interval to produce another -though less spectacular- second half fightback. Six minutes after the break Jon Holloway had to clear Steve Spooner's shot off the line, and shortly after Spooner almost found a way through again, Gary Kemp -scorer against Albion in the first Trophy match- digging his team out of trouble. The Brewers were by now looking confident on the ball and steady at the back, with Darren Grocutt settling in after a somewhat shaky start. The goal their possesion deserved arrived on the 66th minute - the revitalized Andy Garner firing into the roof of the net from close range after another Spooner effort was blocked. Gloucester could not hold back an Albion team growing in confidence, though the Brewers were given a helping hand for their winning goal by Mokler. David Holmes' inswinging corner fooled the usually reliable City number one who, torn between coming for the cross and holding his line, ended up doing neither effectively and could only push the ball tamely into the path of Andy Marlowe who steered the ball in from a narow angle.
Ex-Gloucester player David Holmes- missed a golden scoring chance in Saturday's game (Burton Mail) Albion could have added to their tally in the late stages of the game, and David Holmes in particular will regret not being able to find the net against his old team. Holmes' blistering drive was parried, and Marlowe could only shoot over, and then with three minutes left, the Brewers number eleven ran on to a misdirected back header from Kemp, but his attempted lob of the advancing Mokler sailed well over the bar. So, scant consolation for that bitter Trophy exit, but a modicum of revenge for John Barton's team, and a welcome sixth successive home victory for the improving Brewers. Albion team: 1-Goodwin 2-Davies 5-Blount 4-Grocutt 12-Smith 7-Marlowe 9-Stride 6-Spooner 3-Lyons 10-Garner 11-Holmes Subs (not used): 14-Benton, 15-Wooley, 16-Gooderick
Tuesday 24th February 1998 Albion Martyrs to Welshmen's title cause
Dr. Marten's League Premier Division Merthyr Tydfil 2 Summers, Clarke Burton Albion 1 Holmes Attendance: 661 Albion come away from Penydarren Park empty handed, but can count themselves extremely unlucky, after high-flying Merthyr struggled to beat a Brewers team ravaged by injuries and suspensions. Beaten at the Moat Ground on Saturday, the Martyrs needed all three points to keep the heat on leaders Forest Green, but this performance showed little to justify the current gulf in league position between the two sides on display here. Regular defenders Alan Davies (suspension) Nick Ashby (injured) and Matthew Smith (work commitments) were all absent for Albion, and with new signing Darren Grocutt still suspended, John Barton was forced to field a makeshift back four, with young striker Matt Gooderick making his full debut upfront in place of the injured Micky Cotter. Your BrewersNet correspondent almost suffered another Halesowen style nightmare, after missing the all-important Abergavenny turning from the treacherous A40 (apparently they don't have street lights on the main roads in Wales), and then driving round the back streets of Merthyr for another ten minutes to find somewhere to park -only to find that the Car Park wasn't even full and you're supposed to pay as you drive in (doh!) Anyway, I arrived just in time to see Nick Goodwin picking the ball out of the net for the second time- the first goal, after six minutes, was, I'm assured, a 25-yard lob straight from a Nick Goodwin clearance, by Merthyr number seven Chris Summers. This effort, on 39 minutes, was disallowed- Dean Clarke was standing virtually on the goal line when he deflected in a shot from Mitchell, but just a minute later Clarke again put the ball in the net, and this time the goal was given, despite this looking from where we stood an equally clear-cut offside (although we were admittedly at the opposite end of the park.) The Brewers players protested, but to no avail -the flag of the linesman on the far side remained limp. Just a minute later though, Albion got the goal their better football deserved -David Holmes -another player to benefit from the weakened squad, returning after being left out of the squad for the last match against Crawley- and here giving his first-team prospects a boost by digging out another superb strike from just outside the box which dipped underneath Wager's crossbar. In the second half Albion continued to play the better football - but with Merthyr happy to throw men behind the ball their creativity became stifled as the game wore on, and there was always the danger of a Merthyr counter-attack -Ian Mitchell wasting the home sides best chance of killing off the game after firing high and wide on 70 minutes, faced by the on-rushing Goodwin. To the already unfamiliar Brewers line up was added another new face midway through the second half when Andy Garner went off injured- midfielder Carl Middleton making his first team debut to join his youth team colleagues of last season Wooley and Gooderick. Still though, Albion could not penetrate the massed ranks of the Welshmen's defence, but though they come away with nothing to show for their efforts, this was nevertheless a fine performance bearing in mind the circumstances, as -even with such an under-strength team, the Brewers showed themselves to be one of the best footballing teams in the division. This defeat for the patched-up squad of young Brewers and old battlers, on a chilly night in South Wales, really epitomises the wretched luck which has afflicted Albion all season. Albion team: 1-Goodwin 2-Wooley 5-Blount 12-Benton 3-Hornby 7-Lyons 4-Stride 6-Spooner 11-Holmes 9-Gooderick 10-Garner (14-Middleton, 64) Subs (not used): 15-Hook, 16-Rowntree
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| Saturday 14th February
1998
Hat-trick Garner is Albion's Valentine
Dr. Marten's League Premier Division Burton Albion 5 Garner (3), Stride, Blount Crawley Town 2 Warden, Andrews Attendance: 690 John Barton will feel slightly more secure in his job than this time a week ago, after a rousing second half performance from the Brewers blew away the air of doom surrounding Eton Park in recent weeks, and sent Crawley on the long trek back South empty handed, after the Sussex side twice lead in this game. For Albion, David Holmes was dropped from the squad after his recent poor form, but fellow striker Andy Garner -booed off against St. Leonards last week- made the starting line-up, and answered his critics in emphatic fashion, netting his first hat-trick in Albion colours. The game kicked-off with Eton Park bathed in warm sunshine, the freakishly balmy February weather adding an end-of-season air to proceedings, and the first-half showed little to disprove that this was a match between two mid-table sides with not much left to play for, as the Brewers once again struggled to get into first gear. Les Hornby returned to the starting line-up for the first time this year but struggled to find a way through down the left flank, and Steve Spooner, who signed a new one-year contract with the club this week, was having an unusually poor game as captain in the absence of the suspended Alan Davies. It took a goal from the visitors to liven things up - Ben Abbey and Jon Warden combining skillfully in the box on 17 minutes, although there was a suspicion of offside with Warden converting his goal almost on the line. As Albion pushed for an equaliser, Darren Stride headed over the bar from a corner, and Micky Cotter forced a save out of Hunwick, but the goal didn't arrive until the 36th minute. It was well worth waiting for. Andy Garner was brought down by Riley, and from fully 30 yards out, unleashed a torpedo-like free-kick over the four man wall and into the roof of the net, past a stunned Colin Hunwick. But the celebrations were short lived as Albion proceeded to shoot themselves in the foot once again -just three minutes later some dreadful defending from the Brewers let in Ryan Andrews to waltz through and give Crawley a half-time lead. The sun had disappeared behind a cloud but the Brewers came out looking much brighter in the second period. Darren Stride came close early in the half after good work from wingers Hornby and Lyons, before the game really burst into life just after the hour mark, as Albion netted three goals in a sensational seven minute spell which turned the game on it's head, and saw the confidence come flooding back to the Brewers. Micky Cotter's penetrating run into the Crawley area ended with him being brought down by Andy Riley on 64 minutes, and Andy Garner had no trouble converting the penalty to level the score. Two minutes later, the Brewers were in front for the first time after a superb team move- Mark Blount supplying the ball out of defence, Micky Cotter setting up Darren Stride - the midfielder bringing the ball down nicely, and then driving in a fine shot from just inside the box. Five minutes later Albion put the game beyond reach -Andy Garner again involved, suppyling the free-kick from which Mark Blount headed in. And on 77 minutes Garner completed his hat-trick, and a convincing victory for the Brewers, with a simple tap-in from Micky Cotter's cross. Albion could have extended their lead to complete a real Valentine's Day massacre of their own - young defender Barry Wooley and midfielder Pat Lyons both coming close with long-range efforts late on -Lyons in particular turning in one of his best performances in an Albion shirt. Typically of this season, it was not all good news for Albion - three minutes after supplying the fifth goal, Micky Cotter was stretchered off with a back injury following a harsh tackle by Mackie, and left Eton Park after the game in an ambulance. Emeka Ejiofor came on as substitute - his first appearance since September, and the warm reception afforded the young striker evidence that Albion fans would like to see more of him. Maybe now, with nothing in the way of honours left at stake this season, is the time for John Barton to give the younger players the chance to prove themselves on a regular basis. Albion team: 1-Goodwin 2-Wooley 5-Blount 12-Smith 3-Ashby 7-Lyons 4-Stride 6-Spooner 11-Hornby 10-Cotter (16-Ejiofor, 80) 9-Garner Subs (not used): 14-Benton, 15-Marlowe Saturday 7th February 1998 Hungover Brewers lacking fizz
Dr.Marten's League Premier Division Burton Albion 2 Lyons, Ashby St Leonards Stamcroft 1 Miles Attendance: 464 Brewers fans voted with their feet on the current state of affairs at the club on Saturday- just 464 turned out to watch Albion attempt to shake off their FA Trophy hangover against Dr. Marten's League whipping boys St Leonards Stamcroft, but the narrow margin of victory, and some truly dreadful football from Albion, proved that the Brewers will need more than Alka-Seltzer to bring some spark back to their play, and the disillusioned fans back to Eton Park. St Leonards, in their first season in the Premier Division after a meteoric rise from local league football, have looked doomed to go back down from the start, and have not won away all season. But any hopes of a goal feast to lift the spirits of the home fans, after last week's heartbreaking penalty shoot-out defeat against Gloucester, were soon dispelled as Albion sunk to new depths in even this most disappointing of seasons. An early 20-yard effort from Dave Benton, turned round the post by keeper Lang, promised an all-out attack on the visitors goal, but it wasn't to be, as the Brewers once again failed to get out of first gear against mediocre opposition. The sole highspot of a dismal first half came just before the half hour, when midfielder Pat Lyons -in for the injured Darren Stride- started a move from the centre circle and finished it with a sweetly struck shot from the edge of the area. But instead of using their lead as a springboard for more goals, the Brewers almost conceded the advantage before half-time, Nick Goodwin once again saving Albion bacon with a reaction save from Willard. In the second half,John Barton persisted with the revolutionary tactic of playing without any strikers (or at least none worthy of that description). So once again it fell to one of the defenders to provide the goal which should have killed the game off, at the end of another tedious half. Mark Blount and Matthew Smith having both netted their first goals in Albion colours recently, this time it was fellow defender Nick Ashby's turn to open his account, the Brewers' left back nodding the ball over the line after Steve Spooner's header riccocheted off the crossbar, from a fine cross from Alan Davies. But the goal didn't bring the biggest cheer of the afternoon from the sparsely populated terraces - that had come earlier for the substitution of front pair Andy Garner and David Holmes, the expensively signed duo once again failing to impress, and earning the derision of the home fans. And fellow striker Micky Cotter might well have joined his fellow strikers on the bench had John Barton not already brought on Les Hornby for the injured Matthew Smith. Totally lacking in ideas, and looking thoroughly disinterested in playing, Garner in particular out of this lacklustre forward line will surely be first up against the wall come the revolution that must arrive at Eton Park sooner rather than later. Once again the Brewers contrived to give themselves a shaky ending to what should have been a straightforward victory. A minute after scoring their second, Albion, undone by a simple ball over their defences, allowed Keith Miles to lob Goodwin, and St Leonards to threaten further embarassment as they pushed for an unlikely, and much needed point. Only a stop from Alan Davies, one of the few Brewers to come out of the game with any credit, prevented an equaliser, and in the end Albion were grateful for the final whistle. So, three points secured, but a performance like this will only serve to strengthen the feeling on the terraces that it's not a case of if John Barton will be replaced at Eton Park, but when. Albion team: 1-Goodwin 2-Davies 5-Blount 12-Smith (14-Hornby 51) 3-Ashby 4-Benton 6-Spooner 7-Lyons 9-Cotter 10-Garner (15-Gooderick 72) 11-Holmes (16-Marlowe 64)
Tuesday 27th January 1998 Sheepish Albion stumble again
Dr. Marten's League Premier Division Atherstone United 3 Warner, Middleton, Dean Burton Albion 0
Attendance: 346
It took Atherstone just two minutes to warn the Albion fans who had braved the cold weather to make the short trip up the A444, that this was going to be another one of those nights - striker Ashley Warner volleying in the opening goal, and Albion never recovered from this early blow. Understrength due to suspensions to Micky Cotter and Darren Stride, and Dave Benton still injured from the gashed knee he suffered at Rothwell, Albion seemed flimsy and lacking in ideas in midfield, with young defender Barry Wooley being asked to play in an unaccustomed role alongside Steve Spooner in the centre. The Brewers' sole meaningful effort on goal in the first half was a Mark Blount header onto the crossbar from a Holmes free kick on 37 minutes, but five minutes later, they were two down, after Nick Ashby felled Robin Judd in the area. The defender escaped a caution, but a penalty was given, which Lee Middleton converted for the Adders. In the second half, Albion had slightly more chances on goal, but Adders stand-in keeper Dean Glover never looked remotely threatened by the Brewers lacklustre forward line. Andy Garner, in another disinterested performance upfront, headed tamely at the keeper, and midfielder Steve Spooner drove a shot across the face of goal, but again it was Atherstone who took their chances with vigour. When the Albion defence failed to clear properly on 71 minutes, Craig Dean pounced to unleash an 18-yard drive, which slipped through the grasp of a despairing Nick Goodwin and over the goal line. As the final whistle approached, Atherstone could have added more goals to their tally as the ball pinged dangerously across the Albion penalty area, but in the event three was enough to make Brewers fans wish they had stayed at home to watch the Liverpool v Middlesborough match on TV. For Albion, and for John Barton in particular, everything rests on Saturday's game. Albion team: 1-Goodwin 2-Davies 5-Blount 12-Smith 3-Ashby 7-Marlowe 9-Wooley (14-Gooderick) 6-Spooner 4-Lyons 10-Garner 11-Holmes Subs (not used): Hook, Mays
Saturday 17th January 1998 Nuts and Bolts - but not much else
Dr. Marten's League Premier Division Burton Albion 4 Garner, Holmes, Blount, Cotter Ashford Town 0 Attendance: 706 A dodgy Ashford team allowed the Brewers to give their fans another goal feast at Eton Park, as they sent Ashford crashing to bottom place in the Dr. Marten's League Premier Division, following St. Leonards' shock 6-2 victory over Salisbury. Unlike in the midweek Birmingham Senior Cup defeat against Walsall, Albion were in no mood to throw chances away, and could have scored more against a team who look to be heading straight back down to the Dr. Marten's league Southern Division. The Brewers could have had a comfortable lead at half-time, David Holmes whipping in a dangerous ball across the face of goal, and defenders Matthew Smith and Nick Ashby having shots cleared from the six-yard box early on - an indication of Albion's superiority over the visitors from Kent. As it was, they had to settle for just the one goal in the first half - that coming after some slack defending from the visitors. Alan Davies launched a long, high ball over a statuesque Ashford back line, and Andy Garner, despite fluffing his first touch, was allowed as much time as he needed to almost apologetically slot the ball past keeper Maurice Munden. This after Albion had been denied a penalty when Holmes appeared to have been brought down in the box by Danny Maxted. Ashford had not been without their chances, O'Brien firing wide from outside the box, and Porter forcing a clearance from Stride, but Albion were always in the driving seat, and more goals looked inevitable. In the second half, Albion turned the heat up, and the ribbing of Ashford keeper Munden by the home fans increased as he flapped at everything the Brewers could throw at him from the flanks. The second Burton goal, on 54 minutes, was bizzare - David Holmes curling in a right-foot corner from the left which somehow managed to creep inside the near post, with Munden comically trying to scoop it away. And it was another cross from the same side of the field which produced a third, on 72 minutes. Alan Davies took it this time, Holmes having limped off injured, and central defender Mark Blount arrived in the box to head his first goal since joining the club. Two minutes later it was 4-0 as the Brewers threatened a rout, a one-two with substitute Andy Marlowe freeing Davies in space near the goal line to sling in a cross from the right, and Micky Cotter arriving almost on his knees to bundle the ball past the hapless Munden. Albion now have another chance to pick up points against lowly opposition in the Dr. Marten's League when they travel to Rothwell Town, including ex-Brewer Dougie Keast next Saturday - a chance to improve on their league position before the Trophy clash with Gloucester the following week- with the gap between Albion in eleventh and third placed Halesowen now down to just four points. Albion team: 1-Goodwin 2-Davies 5-Blount 12-Smith 3-Ashby 4-Stride 6-Spooner 7-Lyons 9-Cotter (15-Gooderick) 10-Garner 11-Holmes (14-Marlowe) Sub (not used): 16-Mays
Thursday 1st January 1998 Cheer up Garry Birtles...
Dr. Marten's League Premier Division Burton Albion 1 Guyett (o.g) Gresley Rovers 0 Attendance:2,189
The biggest crowd of the year: 2,189, brave the elements at Eton Park on New Years Day Gresley Rovers were sent back across the Trent Bridge with their tails between their legs, as Albion avenged their Boxing Day defeat at the Moat Ground with victory by the only goal of a game hampered by atrocious conditions, in front of a bumper New Years Day crowd at Eton Park. No sloping pitch here of course, but the weather was even worse than at the Moat Ground a week previously, and the New Year had brought in a howling wind which whipped the ball around the rain soaked playing surface, and chilled the bones of the 2,189 spectators.
...Oh what can it mean... The Brewers appeared to have given their supporters something warming only minutes into the game. Micky Cotter ran on to a David Holmes through-ball to chip Stuart Ford from 20 yards, but the strikers' celebrations were premature, as referee Mr Ellicott of Redditch, for reasons best known to himself, decided to disallow the goal. Albion, with the wind at their backs, continued to dominate the early stages, David Holmes, once again looking more comfortable in his forward role alongside Micky Cotter and Andy Garner, forcing saves out of Rovers' keeper Ford. Cotter had to limp off injured in the 25th minute, substitute Andy Marlowe replacing him in a 4-4-2 formation, but Holmes continued to be a threat, and it was his corner in the 32nd minute which brought the goal Albion had been waiting for.
An early Albion corner in the first half against Gresley ....to a ...sad Gresley b****rd.... Holmes unleashed a wicked wind-assisted ball in from the right which swooped into the Gresley box, where Rovers' defender Scott Guyett -presumably still without his contact lenses- headed it past his own keeper. The ball pinged off the goal stanchion and back out so it took a while for many fans to realise that it had gone in, and the scorer of Gresley's first goal on Boxing Day had indeed put his name on the scoresheet for Albion. ...and a....... Memories of last season's match at Eton Park were fresh in the mind of Brewers fans as Albion defended against the wind in the second half. Then, Gresley had overturned a two goal margin to win 3-2 in the dying stages, but clearly this Gresley team was a pale shadow of the side which went on to win the Dr. Marten's League Championship. Much-hyped striker Gez Murphy was virtually a spectator, and Gresley only really came close to scoring once, despite the powerful wind behind them. Dave Benton's slip on the edge of the box on 66 minutes had forced Nick Goodwin to race out in cover, and Richard Wardle was on hand to capitalise for Gresley, only to be denied by a goal-line clearance from an ex-teammate of his -Mark Blount in fine form at the back once again for his new club.
Nick Goodwin has the half for himself at a rain soaked and windswept Eton Park ....S**t football team! Gresley continued to have their backs to the wall as the game wore on , despite the wind in their favour. As the rain lashed down, Albion's midfield, powered by the twin-turbine engine of Darren Stride and Steve Spooner, worked hard to carve out openings for the front two, and Albion could have gone further in front. David Holmes tried one ambitious 25-yard effort, but could have been more incisive closer to goal. As the seconds ticked by Gresley caused Albion hearts to flutter, winning a series of late corners, but Albion's calm defending with driving rain at their faces earned them the three points, and perhaps more importantly, some self-respect after a less than convinving performance on Boxing Day. The honours in this festive double-derby had finished all-square, and a score had been settled...for another year at least. Albion team: 1-Goodwin 2-Wooley 12-Benton 5-Blount 3-Ashby 7-Marlowe (replaced 9-Cotter) 4-Stride 6-Spooner 7-Lyons 11-Holmes 10-Garner
Sunday 28th December 1997 Ten-men Bromsgrove blitzed as Brewers bounce back
Dr. Marten's League Premier Division Burton Albion 5 Holmes, Cotter (2), Garner (2 -1pen) Bromsgrove Rovers 1 Whitehouse Attendance: 760 Burton Albion finished off 1997 with a bang as they put the trauma of Boxing Day behind them, thrashing Bromsgove Rovers 5-1 at Eton Park, equalling the Brewers' biggest ever win under John Barton. Bromsgrove, managed by Barton's predecessor at Eton Park , Brian Kenning, included three ex-Brewers in their starting line-up but only one made it to the final whistle. Defender Darren Grocutt limped off some time after a challenge with Steve Spooner which also saw the Albion midfielder back in the changing room before he'd even muddied his kit on the Eton Park quagmire, and midfielder Karl Payne was stretchered off later in the game. But that wasn't the worst of it for sorry Bromsgrove, who had keeper John Parson's sent off at the climax of a thrilling first half. From the outset it was clear that this final game of an up and down year was going to be a Forest Green rather than a Moor Green performance from the home side, as the Brewers set upon Bromsgrove with a vigour and a fluency in their play which was lacking in Friday's dog-fight at the Moat Ground. Andy Marlowe was called off the bench earlier than expected for the injured Spooner, and was once again a threat down the right wing, but it was Darren Stride, hungry for the ball in only his second game back after suspension, who provided the opening goal. Seizing the ball midway inside the Rovers half, he shook off his markers, and, striding forward like a tiger through the mud, reached the by-line and whipped in a wicked cross which found the head of David Holmes in the middle, and then the net. Six minutes later and all Albion's good work seemed to have been undone by a comical error from Nick Goodwin. The Brewers' keeper, with all the time in the world, went to throw the ball out only for it to slip off his wet gloves, and land tamely at the feet of his former team-mate Mark Whitehouse, who without too much effort deposited it back into Goodwin's net. But an Albion team in this mood were not going to be disheartened, and they were back in front before half time, Micky Cotter making it 2-1 after a mistake by the Bromsgrove keeper this time -flapping at Holmes' corner to allow the Albion number nine the easiest of headers. As the half drew to a close the home fans were celebrating a third goal as Andy Garner headed into the net, only for the referee to disallow it, but moments later Garner received his chance to score for real. David Holmes, in probably the best form of a disappointing season for him, was clear through on goal when he was brought down by the outrushing Bromsgrove keeper. The referee had no alternative but to show Parsons the red card, and striker Carter, taking over in the Bromsgrove goal, stood no chance of stoppping Garner's powerfully struck penalty. Unsurprisingly, the game could not sustain quite such a frantic pace after the interval, but it was nevertheless a far more entertaining spectacle than the Gresley affair. Albion continued to be on top, and looked steady in defence - 19 year old debutant Barry Wooley having an assured performance at right back. And Albion killed off any Bromsgrove hopes with a fourth goal on 68 minutes, Dave Benton lofting a pass in for Garner to add to his tally. The ten- men fought back bravely, striking the woodwork and forcing a save off the legs of Goodwin in the later stages, but this was Albion's day, and Micky Cotter rounded off a convincing victory, converting a Marlowe cross a minute from time. This was just the tonic Albion needed for their Boxing Day stuffing, and they can now look forward to New Year's Day, and Part Two of the Gresley double header, with renewed confidence. Albion Team: 1-Goodwin 2- Wooley 12-Benton 5-Blount 3-Hornby (15-Ashby) 14-Marlowe (replaced 6-Spooner) 4-Stride 7-Lyons 11-Holmes 9-Cotter 10-Garner Sub (not used): 16-Hook
Friday 26th December 1997 Albion turkeys get Moat stuffing Dr. Marten's League Premier Division Gresley Rovers 2 Guyett (61), Jennings (86) Burton Albion 0 Attendance: 1,752 Albion dominated the first half but failed to turn possession into goals, allowing arch-rivals Gresley, playing above themselves as usual in these games, to stage a second half fightback to break Burton hearts once again. And the Brewers fans who had travelled in number to swell the Moat Ground coffers made the journey back down the A50 for Boxing Day lunch once again wondering where it had all gone wrong for their team of under-acheivers.
A first half goalmouth tussle at the Moat Ground on Boxing Day The elements hardly promised a festive feast of football, and so it was to be. A howling wind whipped the ball around, only adding to the difficulties of playing on Gresley's sorry excuse for a pitch. Albion had the slope, and the wind behind them in the first half, and took advantage of these conditions, barely letting the home side into the game. Andy Marlowe in particular looked a threat, Gresley defender Scott Guyett (playing without his contact lenses because of a mix-up at the chemist!) clearing an early effort from the Albion winger. David Holmes also came close with a free kick from 18-yards, and Andy Garner drove a shot straight at Stuart Ford in the Gresley goal. Garner was one of four ex-Gresley players in the Albion starting line-up, and as the most recent defector to the Albion cause, predictably received the worst reception of all from the home supporters. And on his return to his old stomping ground, Garner showed little of the form which helped bring the Championship to the Moat last season. In fact the concensus amongst Albion fans was probably "You can have him back!", but his poor performance had probably more to do with unsatisfactory service from his team-mates who insisted on booting the ball in the air instead of playing it to the striker's feet. And if Garner provided little in the way of cutting-edge up front, his team-mates were guilty of wasting the chances that fell their way. David Holmes , also a former Moatman, was amongst the most guilty as he chalked up another far from impressive performance in Albion colours - shooting woefully wide with Garner, waiting unmarked in the box, for a pass. And Micky Cotter was also amongst the culprits as Albion dominated possesion, but failed to convert their chances. A hard fought, if uninspiring first half ended with the Gresley fans baying for blood after Mark Blount -yet another "Gresley reject" - shunted into Stuart Ford in the Gresley penalty area. Blount had already been booked- one of seven in total in this typically blood and guts local derby battle- but the referee declined to play to the home crowd, and let the Brewers' central defender off with a warning. Albion continued to threaten early in the second half, Andy Marlowe continuing to be a threat down the right flank, despite now having to put up with the barracking of the Gresley ultras (all ten of them), at what I think they call the "Shed End" (although it's hard to tell as the whole ground looks like a shed!), but as the minutes ticked by Gresley were always due a spell of their own after barely troubling Nick Goodwin's goal more than twice in the first half. The inevitable breakthrough came on 61 minutes, Fowkes' ominous looking cross being met by Scott Guyett who despite his lack of optical aids, managed to see enough of the ball to head it into the roof of the net, after outjumping Goodwin. Gresley now began to look most dangerous but Albion still had chances to level the score. Stuart Ford was the hero in goal for Gresley. Playing despite an illness, he kept the Moatmen in the game in the late stages, saving a Micky Cotter shot from 18 yards, and again from Cotter from close range towards the end. These saves either side of another Cotter effort - a header from Marlowe's cross- which rebounded off the foot of the post. But as the heavens opened drenching the majority of the crowd, Albion's agony was compounded four minutes from time, Wilson the man turning inside Dave Benton to unleash a wicked cross, which substitute Gareth Jennings met with another header, to send the home fans into delirium.
Heroics from Gresley keeper Stuart Ford deny Albion a late equaliser So, another year goes by., another trip to the Moat Ground. The sooner they send the bulldozers in the better as far as I'm concerned. Cramped to the point of having to breathe in every time someone walks past. There's a poor view from almost every angle. Hardly any cover except for the flimsy aluminium contraption behind the goals which they probably bought from MFI. The worst pitch this side of Moldavia. Their supporters are the most horrible you could ever hope to meet, and the whole club raises itself for this one match, so desperate are they to beat us, because they know that they'll always be the smaller club...and then they have the cheek to charge you £5 for it! Oh, and you can never get a programme. Apart from that there's nowhere I'd rather spend Boxing Day ...except maybe the Salt Mines of Siberia. Or in a Saudi prison. Or in a crocodile infested swamp....In fact - there's lots of places I'd rather spend Boxing Day...
Until next year....the architectural wonder that is the Moat Ground Albion Team: 1-Goodwin 2-Benton 5-Blount 12-Smith 3- Hornby 7-Marlowe 4-Stride (Lyons, 85) 6-Spooner 11-Holmes 9-Cotter 10-Garner Subs (not used): Ashby, Wooley
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| Saturday 20th December
1997
Late goal steals point for Magpies
Dr. Marten's League Premier Division Burton Albion 2 Cotter, Spooner Dorchester Town 2 Redwood, Killick Attendance: 543 Albion looked on course for a much-needed three points to take them into the Christmas programme until Les Hornby, apparently playing the part of Santa Claus for Dorchester, gifted the visitors a goal in the 90th minute at Eton Park. It was a victory Albion would scarcely have deserved after the Magpies had the better of the first-half, and created the better chances throughout a game which was still being played at nearly five-o-clock, thanks to a catalogue of stoppages for injuries. The most lengthy of these was for treatment to Magpies' Ellis Laight, stretchered off in the first half with a leg injury, caused by a challenge which earned Brewers midfielder Steve Spooner a yellow card. Dorchester looked the most dangerous team going forward in this first period, and that the half ended goalless was largely thanks to Albion's veteran keeper Nick Goodwin, who made a superb double save to keep out efforts from Martin Shepherd and Steve Richardson. Albion took the lead, against the run of play, just three minutes after the belated half-time interval, Micky Cotter driving in a ball headed down by Spooner from a Hornby corner. Buoyed by this goal, the Brewers began to have more of the ball, and to string some passes together in the visitors half, but their good work was undone by sloppy defending from a corner, allowing John Cross to fire in a shot which was helped into the net by Toby Redwood, on 61 minutes. John Barton replaced Nick Ashby -struggling for fitness after his injury- with David Holmes -dropped from the starting line-up after his recent poor form. Les Hornby reverted to left back, Holmes returned to the left of midfield, and the switch almost brought an instant result. Holmes received a through ball and was clear of the Dorchester defenders on the edge of the centre circle , but his first touch of the game let him down, and a potentially dangerous move fizzled out. The goal did come on 78 minutes, Steve Spooner arriving through the mist to unleash a bullet-like header from a piercing Andy Marlowe cross, restoring Albion's lead. The traditionally low pre-Christmas crowd must have thought their team had done enough to secure a victory, as Albion appeared to have weathered a late rally from Dorchester, when Les Hornby completely fluffed an apparently routine clearance, allowing substitute Tommy Killick to casually slot home an equaliser on 90 minutes which left a bitter taste in the mouth of Brewers' fans. In fact, things could have been worse for Albion- as injury time dragged on, Dorchester pushed for a winner- Andy Harris twice coming close to stealing all three points for the Magpies. As it is, Albion at least have the consolation of having maintained their unbeaten run in the Dr. Marten's League, which stretches back to November 1st. However, of the six league matches in that period, only twice have the Brewers been able to kill off the opposition, statistics which will worry John Barton as his team go into a crucial period of their season. Defeats against arch-rivals Gresley, Bromsgrove or bogey team Atherstone over the festive period would more or less kill off any lingering hopes of a push for promotion.
Albion team: 1-Goodwin 2-Benton 5-Blount 12-Smith 3-Ashby (14-Holmes) 7-Marlowe 4-Lyons 6-Spooner 11-Hornby 9-Cotter 10-Garner Subs (not used): 15-Wooley, 16-Gooderick
Tuesday 16th December 1997 Moor gloom for Smith as Albion crash out
Dr. Marten's League Cup 2nd Round: Burton Albion 1 Garner (pen) Moor Green 3 Jones, Moore, Pearce Attendance: 228 Despite the best efforts of the referee, who gifted them a dodgy penalty on 67 minutes, Albion were knocked out of the Dr. Marten's League Cup in front of just 228 shivering specatators who braved the cold as an icy wind whistled through Eton Park. And to make matters worse, Brewers defender Matthew Smith, sent off at Bath on Saturday received another yellow card tonight which means he will now miss three matches, starting with the home game against Bromsgrove on 28th December, and including the New Years Day derby against Gresley. The conditions could hardly have been more different to the balmy Spring evening at Sudbury at the end of last season when Albion lifted this trophy, and a poor performance from the Brewers against Midland division Moor Green means there will be a different name on the Cup this year. The visitors, including former Eton Park favourite Alan Kurila amongst their ranks, were already two up thanks to goals either side of the interval from Paul Jones and Michael Moore, when an Andy Marlowe cross appeared to hit Moor's James Wills on the side of his face, and went out for what the home fans assumed to be a corner. However, as if being hit in the face by a muddy ball on a freezing cold night like this wasn't misery enough for Wills, the hapless defender was adjudged to have handled the ball by the referee! Andy Garner slotted home the spot kick to give the Brewers a chance they hardly deserved, and sure enough they failed to capitalise on it. In fact, things went from bad to worse:-on 84 minutes Matt Smith was booked- a minute later Chris Pearce gave many of the die-hard fans the excuse they needed to head for an early exit - his free kick from outside the area deflecting off Garner past Goodwin, who got a hand on the ball but couldn't stop it from going over the line. Oh well, it could have been worse- we could have had to endure extra-time! Brrrrrr!
Albion team: 1- Goodwin 2- Benton 12- Smith 5- Blount 3- Hornby 7- Marlowe 4- Lyons 6- Spooner 11- Holmes 9- Cotter 10- Garner Subs (not used): 14- Ashby, 15- Wooley, 16- Gooderick Saturday 6th December 1997 Forest razed by red-hot Albion
Dr. Marten's League Premier Division Burton Albion 4 Cotter 20, Garner 23, 68, Marlowe 81 Forest Green Rovers 1 Sykes 86
Attendance:
609
The 609 faithful had cause to marvel at the site of their team stringing not one, not two but sometimes three or four passes together....wonder at the sight of a team functioning as a cohesive whole rather than a collection of (expensively assembled) individuals.....gasp at the sight of an Albion team actually look like they might score virtually every time they went forward...and stand back in amazement at the realization that it was nearly half-time and, rather than dragging like a wet weekend in Church Gresley, the game had actually flown by- it was enjoyable to watch. In other words, it was everything we had expected to see at the start of this season. Like a half-starved dog receiving its first bowl of Pedigree Chum in a month, this fine, succulent and meaty performance by the Brewers made us realise what we had been missing all season, and just how much our team had been under-acheiving since those far-off days of high expectation back in sunny August. Nick Goodwin had recovered from his groin injury to hold on to the first-team place that has been his since he re-joinined the Brewers in October, but the veteran keeper was barely tested by a Forest Green frontline who have converted more goals than any other team in the Dr. Marten's League this season. On occasion they looked swift on the counter-attack, but any cutting edge was dulled by Albion's central defensive partnership of Matt Smith and Mark Blount. More importantly, the old cliche "attack is the best form of defence" proved to be true as Albion dominated possesion from the start. The first goal arrived after just 20 minutes- it seemed like less- a mistake by a Forest Green defender let in Micky Cotter to lob keeper Shuttleworth. Three minutes later it was two. Steve Spooner, looking more assured with every match, had his header tipped onto the bar in a goalmouth scramble, and the bald head of Andy Garner was in the right place at the right time. The visitors predictably came more into the game in the Second Half, but Albion comfortably weathered what could hardly be described as a storm- more of a damp drizzle- and it was a question not of if but rather when they would add to their tally. Andy Garner was there again to make it 3-0, with a right foot shot from inside the box which ricocheted off a defender past the helpless Shuttlewood. The Yellow shirts continued to press forward, and the score could have been higher, Micky Cotter guilty of taking too long in front of a gaping net with only the keeper to beat, and Andy Garner coming close to getting a first hat-trick for the club. Andy Marlowe was the provider for much of this late Albion pressure, with a series of penetrative crosses into the box from the right wing, so it was only fitting that he should be the man to complete the rout- his well-taken shot in the 81st minute coming after good approach play between Les Hornby, filling in at left back for the injured Nick Ashby, and winger David Holmes. Ironically, the best goal of the game was scored by Forest Green, substitute Alex Sykes unleashing a wicked left-foot drive which curled into the Albion net. It was the kind of goal which even the home crowd had to applaud- (a good job as there were no Forest green fans to applaud it!) but with four minutes left was nothing but a consolation goal for the bedraggled Rovers. Albion team: 1-Goodwin 2-Davies 5-Blount 12-Smith 3-Hornby 7-Marlowe 9-Benton 6-Spooner 11-Holmes 10-Garner 4-Cotter Subs (not used): 14- Lyons, 15- Stride, 16- Hook Saturday 15th November 1997 Lucky Albion silence Lambs
Dr. Marten's League Premier Division Burton Albion 1 Garner, 63 Tamworth 1 Hunter, 47 Attendance: 1,012 After recent dour encounters at Eton Park, it was refreshing to see a team come to play Burton Albion and attempt to win the match and to play football, rather than employ the spoiling tactics of the likes of Atherstone and Cambridge. The points were shared between these Staffordshire rivals, but though it pains me to say it, Tamworth were unlucky not to come away with all three, from a full-blooded local derby clash.
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