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Staying down...but Wembley is still waiting...
2,189 brave the elements at Eton Park on New Years Day for the match against Gresley The biggest crowd of the season- 2,189- brave the elements to see the Brewers avenge their Boxing Day defeat as Gresley Rovers come to Eton Park. Micky Cotter has the ball in the net early doors but his effort is disallowed- Cotter limps off injured midway through the half. The goal when it does arrive is a bizarre affair. David Holmes' wind-assisted inswinging corner is headed against the bar and over his own goal line by Gresley defender Scott Guyett- the scorer of Gresley's first goal at the Moat Ground. In the second half the game deteriorates into farce under some atrocious conditions- a blustery wind making the ball almost impossible to control. As the rain lashes down the Brewers survive some late Gresley pressure to cling on to victory. Again, the game is not the most entertaining spectacle but local pride is restored as the festive double derby finishes with honours even. Attention returns to the FA Trophy for the next match at Eton Park, with the Brewers taking on Witton Albion in the first round proper. Darren Stride's opener is equalised by Darren Washington as the the tough tackling Unibond Leaguers make life difficult for Albion. David Holmes, a disappointment for much of the season, continues his return to form with a superbly struck goal from Nick Ashby's long pass out of defence, with the prospect of a tricky replay approaching. Yet still the Brewers can't relax- Witton have the ball in the net with minutes left on the clock, but the effort is ruled out by a linesman's flag. Cue a mini pitch invasion from angry Witton fans and management, to no avail. Albion cling on to a narrow victory and a place in the second round. But there will be no repeat of last season's Birmingham Senior Cup victory- the Brewers exit the competition after losing 2-0 in the long-postponed replay at home to Walsall.
A 4-0 thrashing of relegation threatened Ashford Town (including a first ever Brewers goal for Mark Blount) has Brewers boss John Barton claiming his side can still challenge for the title, despite their current mid-table berth in the Dr. Marten's League. But the Brewers boss's somewhat optimistic words are made to look like mere fantasy as a 1-0 defeat at lowly Rothwell Town is followed by a 3-0 thrashing at Sheepy Road against neighbours Atherstone United. The pressure is increasing on John Barton, making the FA Umbro Trophy Second Round tie at Gloucester City look increasingly important if the Brewers are to salvage something from their anti-climactic season. Matt Smith heads Albion into the lead at Meadow Park, with his first ever goal in 160 appearances, but the Brewers have Captain Alan Davies sent-off shortly before half time. Gary Kemp equalises for Gloucester on 68 minutes, but the ten-men Brewers put in a gutsy performance to hang on for a replay.
An early free kick for Albion (in light blue strip) at Meadow Park
...well, maybe next year! - Brewers pay the penalty... A plum Third Round tie at non-league's "team of the moment" Stevenage Borough awaits the victors of the Trophy replay as Albion and Gloucester meet again three days later. A terrific strike from an indirect free-kick by Steve Spooner seems to have done enough to earn the Brewers a trip to Broadhall Way, after first half goals from Stride (Albion) and Burns (Gloucester). But once again Albion manage to throw away the game, allowing Tigers captain Steve Fergusson to sneak in behind the defence for a late equaliser. An unneventful period of extra-time cannot seperate the sides, so the dreaded penalty shoot-out is called upon to settle the tie. Albion take the first penalty and get off to the worst possible start, Alan Davies having his effort saved by Mokler, but Brewers keeper Nick Goodwin, having already kept Albion in the game with a string of superb saves in normal time, produces a save from Gloucester's fourth penalty to level affairs, and after both teams convert their final spot-kicks, it's down to a sudden death shoot-out. Benton for Albion and Fergusson for Gloucester both convert, then Nick Ashby misses, but Goodwin is again the hero, saving Adcock's kick. Brewers defender Mark Blount, reliable all season at the heart of the Brewers defence, steps up to take the next kick, and promptly fires against the crossbar, leaving Gary Kemp, scorer of Gloucester's equaliser in the first match, with the opportunity of booking a place in the Third Round for the Tigers. This time there can be no more heroics from Goodwin, Kemp's penalty hits the back of the net, and Albion's season is effectively over -out of all cup competitions, and promotion beyond them, and the pressure is once again on beleaguered boss John Barton.
A narrow 2-1 victory over Dr. Marten's League whipping boys St Leonards Stamcroft, with Nick Ashby becoming the latest defender to open his scoring account for the Brewers- hardly improves the mood of the disaffected fans in Albion's lowest crowd of the season- 464. However, John Barton's aling managership receives a boost with the signing of Darren Grocutt from Bromsgrove Rovers. Grocutt, 24, who can play in defence or midfield, joined Bromsgrove -then a Conference club- from Burton for a then club record fee of £12,500 in 1997, after two years at Eton Park. However, with Rovers in a state of turmoil on and off the pitch, the Brewers are able to aquire his signature for a knock down fee of £5,000. Former Albion boss Brian Kenning was recently sacked by Bromsgrove, and the club is in the process of changing ownership. Another Eton Park goal feast dispels the air of dissent amogst the supporters, and suggests there may be life in the season yet. Crawley Town, slipping fast from their position amongst the early front-runners, are the victims of a "Valentines Day massacre" at Eton Park, as Andy Garner answers the critics who had booed him off against St Leonards, with his first hat-trick for the club, including a blistering 20 yard free-kick. Darren Stride and Mark Blount also add their names to the scoresheet, as Crawley collapse in a dizzying second half spell. David Holmes, dropped for the Crawley game, returns to the first team for the long Tuesday night trek to Merthyr Tydfil, and responds with another spectacular goal, as an injury-ravaged Brewers team are unlucky to lose 2-1 to the title-chasing Martyrs. The month is rounded off with a 2-0 victory away at St Leonards. Dave Titterton leaves the club to join Dr. Marten's Midland Division Stourbridge. The left back, runner-up in the previous season's Player of the Year awards, has barely figured in John Barton's plan since the signing of Nick Ashby from Rushden & Diamonds in the summer.
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