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| Review of the Season 1997-98 |
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| FA Umbro Trophy
Reports 97-98
(3Q) Halesowen Town (29/11) (1) Witton Albion (10/1) (2) Gloucester City (31/1) (2R) Gloucester City (3/2) Tuesday 3rd February 1998 Tigers kill off Albion Trophy dream
FA Umbro Trophy Second Round Replay Burton Albion 2 Stride, Spooner Gloucester City 2 Burns, Fergusson (After extra-time- Gloucester win 6-5 on penalties) Attendance: 701 Gloucester administered the last rites on Burton Albion's most anti-climactic and disappointing of seasons, snatching victory in a sudden death penalty shoot-out to earn them a trip to non-league team of the moment Stevenage Borough in the last sixteen. It was a cruel way to exit for the Brewers but John Barton's men have only themselves to blame after twice squandering the lead, and allowing the indomitable Tigers the chance to get back into the game. Darren Stride got Albion off to a good start after a nondescript opening quarter of an hour played in a strangely subdued atmosphere at Eton Park, but a header from Chris Burns levelled the scores at half time. A superb strike from an indirect free-kick by Steve Spooner -the best goal of the tie without doubt- seemed to have done enough to win it for Albion, but with the prospect of a trip to Broadhall Way beginning to appear on the horizon, a lofted ball over Albion heads caused problems in the Brewers defence, and captain Steve Fergusson capitalised to take the game into extra-time. After a goalless 30 minutes, the lottery of a penalty shoot-out was called upon to settle the tie. Albion had the first penalty and got off to the worst possible start, Alan Davies having his effort saved by Mokler, but Brewers keeper Nick Goodwin, who had already kept Albion in the game with a string of superb saves in normal time, produced a save from Gloucester's fourth penalty to level affairs, and after both teams converted their final spot-kicks, it was down to a sudden death shoot-out. Benton for Albion and Fergusson for Gloucester both converted, then Nick Ashby missed, but Goodwin again proved the hero, saving Adcock's kick. Mark Blount, reliable all season at the heart of the Brewers defence, stepped up to take the next kick, and promptly fired against the crossbar, leaving Gary Kemp , who scored Gloucester's equaliser on Saturday, with the opportunity of booking a place in the Third Round for the Tigers. This time there could be no more heroics from Goodwin, Kemp's penalty hit the back of the net, and Albion's season was over. The small but vocal band of Gloucester fans celebrated with their players- the chance of putting one over the celebrated Stevenage in the next round is theirs, whilst Albion fans are left facing nothing more exciting than the prospect of yet another season of mid-table obscurity. After all the money that was pumped into the team, and the facilities by Ben Robinson's board, and the pre-season hype which saw Albion as one of the favourites to win the Dr. Marten's League and promotion to the Conference, this season has seen disappointment after disappointment for Brewers fans: An early exit from the FA Cup at Solihull, inconsistent league form which has left Albion eleventh in the table- a million miles from being promotion candidates. It seemed as though the only thing which could rescue John Barton from increased pressure to resign was a good run in the Trophy. Now we have seen another early exit from the competition- in the eleven years since Albion were at Wembley they have never progressed past the Second Round. This is simply not good enough for a club of Albion's pedigree, and someone has to take the blame. John Barton is now in his fourth season at Eton Park- it's not as if he hasn't been given a chance to turn things around. Surely now the directors must take action and find a manager who is capable of matching on the pitch their ambitions off it. Albion team: 1- Goodwin 2-Davies 5-Blount 12-Smith 3-Ashby 4-Stride 6-Spooner 9-Benton 7-Cotter (14-Gooderick 105) 10-Garner 11-Holmes Subs (not used): 15-Wooley, 16-Mays Saturday 31st January 1998 Ten-men Brewers hang on for replay
FA Umbro Trophy Second Round Gloucester City 1 Kemp 68 Burton Albion 1 Smith 38 Attendance: 963 Albion made sure their name was in the hat for the Third Round, after holding out for a replay in a frenetic second half at the City Stadium. Gloucester came back from a goal down but will be disappointed not to have killed the tie off, after having spent more than half this game with an extra man, Brewers captain Alan Davies having been sent off on 41 minutes for retaliating on Adie Mings, following a challenge by the big Tigers striker. Albion on the other hand can be pleased with a succesful damage limitation exercise, after a spirited rear-guard action in the second half. The Brewers now have to show similar spirit in the Eton Park replay this Tuesday (Kick-Off 7.30pm) if they are to progress to the last sixteen.
An early free kick for Albion (in light blue strip) at Meadow Park It was Albion who had the first meaningful effort of the game, Steve Spooner's 25-yard volley skimming the woodwork after being tipped over by Mokler after just five minutes, and the Brewers midfielder was again in the box ten minutes later but his header lacked the power to beat the City keeper. Neither side managed to get into full swing in a lacklustre opening spell but as the first half reached it's midway point the home side began to take the game by the scruff of the neck. Gloucester's Gary Kemp brought a fine save out of Nick Goodwin, the Brewers keeper getting down low to block a header, and this heralded a spell of sustained pressure, with Albion being once again thankful for the ever-reliable Mark Blount at the heart of defence. The Brewers again looked lacking in ideas going forward, and it was somewhat against the run of play -and from a most unexpected source- that they went in front on 38 minutes. Darren Stride's shot on the turn brought out another save from Mokler, and from the resulting corner taken by David Holmes -back on his old stamping ground after his transfer to Eton Park in the summer- defender Matt Smith arrived in the box to head home his first goal in 160 Albion appearances. But the celebrations of the visiting Brewers fans were short lived. Three minutes later Alan Davies took offence at a tackle by Mings, and retaliated with a reckless challenge on the Tigers' number 10, in front of both the referee, and the bulk of the Gloucester fans. With the "T-Enders" baying for blood, referee Mr Coxhead pulled out a red card, leaving Albion facing the second half without their Captain, and a man short.
First half action from the match against Gloucester Steve Spooner took the Captain's armband, and was at the heart of a spirited second half display, as Albion turned in a better performance with ten men than they had managed recently with eleven! Darren Stride and Micky Cotter -both returning to the team after suspension- displayed courage and guile to carve out openings in the Gloucester half, as the Brewers defied the odds against them to threaten a second goal. Steve Spooner was once more in the thick of the action - beating two players to shoot from the edge of the box, and heading a cross from Garner just wide. And Micky Cotter managed to produce some kind of understanding up-front with Holmes, coming close to scoring more than once after through balls from the ex-Gloucester man. But as the game wore towards a conclusion City turned the heat up on Albion, in an attempt to make their advantage in numbers count. When the goal came, it was almost a carbon copy of the first - a corner swung in from the same side of the field, headed in by Gary Kemp on 68 minutes. This set up a nervy last 20 minutes as Gloucester pushed forward for a winner, but the Brewers managed to hold on thanks to some sturdy defending -Darren Stride covering well for Davies at right-back- and also thanks to Gloucester's Adie Mings. The big striker earned a chorus of "ee-aw" from the Albion fans, after ballooning the best chance of the game over the bar, over the terracing and into the car park. David Holmes was denied the opportunity of putting one over his old club, when he was replaced by Matt Gooderick late on -a strange decision by Barton bearing in mind that Holmes has pulled a dramatic winner out of the bag in both the Brewers' previous matches in the Trophy this season, and also bearing in mind the failure to perform once again of so-called "striker" Andy Garner. The Gloucester fans chanted "Are you Gresley in disguise?"- well, some are beginning to suspect that in Andy Garner's case he actually is. A double-agent sent by Gresley to disrupt our team? I wouldn't put anything past them! In any event, John Barton will be pleased to have weathered the storm and Gloucester will not be looking forward to Tuesday's replay. The Brewers boss must now prevent a feeling developing amongst his players that the hard work has already been done. Gloucester's season as much as Albion's depends on the Trophy, and the inconsistent Brewers must turn in the kind of home performance that saw them complete the double over current league leaders Forest Green, rather than the kind of ineffective display which has seen them embarrasingly defeated by much lesser clubs, if they want to keep their season alive with a place in the last sixteen. For John Barton, the heat is still on. Albion team: 1- Goodwin 2-Davies (sent-off 41) 5-Blount 12-Smith 3-Ashby 9-Stride 6-Spooner 7-Lyons 4-Cotter (16-Wooley) 10-Garner 11-Holmes (15- Gooderick) Sub (not used): 14-Marlowe Saturday 10th January 1998 Holmes the hero as Albion through
FA Umbro Trophy 1st Round Burton Albion 2 Stride, Holmes Witton Albion 1 Washington Attendance: 735 David Holmes' personal renaissance since moving back to his favoured forward's role continued as the Brewers squeezed through against Witton Albion at Eton Park. Holmes' sweetly struck goal six minutes from time fired Albion into the Second Round after a hard fought Trophy battle against typically physical Unibond League opposition. Andy Garner's absence through injury guaranteed Holmes a strikers role alongside Micky Cotter, and the former Gloucester man was involved in Albion's most threatening moments as the Brewers seized control of a frantic first half. The first came after eight minutes, following some early forays into Albion territory by the visitors. Stride was fouled on the edge of the box and Holmes curved his free-kick just wide. And soon after, only an ill-advised return ball from Andy Marlowe halted a promising break started by Holmes. Albion continued to dominate the play - Witton's one clearcut chance resulting in a fine save from Nick Goodwin, getting down to hold a header from veteran defender Graham Abel, but the Brewers' finally netted a deserved goal on 38 minutes. A Micky Cotter cross found Darren Stride in the centre, and the midfielder fired in from close range. David Holmes again forced a save from keeper Knowles, but as the first half drew to a close, it was referee Mr French of Wolverhampton on whom most attention focussed, after he booked Witton's Number 11 Bryan Griffiths for a foul on Marlowe, instead of the true culprit - Captain Mark Wright. The skipper had already received a yellow card, and should have been sent off, but despite the protestations of the wronged man, and the reaction of the fans on the Popside, Wright escaped a red card. Memories of referee Brian Coddington and a match against Telford at the same stage of this competition two years ago, came flooding back. Then, three Telford players were sent off in an incredible end to the game. There would be no sendings-off today, but the incident did result in a frenzied end to the first half. There was just time for one more David Holmes effort before the break - a dipping shot from 30 yards which just loooped over the crossbar. The second half was a different story, as Witton began to show some of the form which has lifted them to second place in their league. The equalizer which rocked Albion came on 63 minutes. Substitute Gardner pulled in a ball from the right, and danger man Darren Washington latched on to a miskick from Clowes to fire past Goodwin, provoking a mini pitch invasion from the travelling supporters. The Brewers struggled to find a response to a gutsy performance from Witton, spending long periods camped in their own half, as their attempted forward moves spluttered out before they'd started. The spectre of another Trophy exit to Unibond Division One opposition was hanging over Eton Park as the game approached a tense conclusion. Twice in recent seasons Witton's fellow promotion candidates Ashton United had put an end to Albion's Wembley hopes, and another tricky trek North seemed to be drawing closer, when Albion pulled a rabbit out of the hat, and produced the best move of the game. Full back Nick Ashby unleashed a long and perfectly timed ball above the head of the retreating Witton defender, to where David Holmes had run, the Brewers striker lobbing the ball over a helpless Knowles and under the crossbar, with a superb effort which shattered the tension around Eton Park in one go. But still the drama was not over. Witton appeared to have struck an equaliser in the dying moments, but a linesman's flag ruled out the effort, from substitute Bridge, to the consternation of the Witton players and fans. The Albion stewards had to push the away fans back behind the barriers, and Witton's manager even got in on the action , charging onto the pitch to give the referee a piece of his mind. So, relief was the main emotion at Eton Park as Albion booked their place in the Second Round - and no-one can have been more relieved than Brewers boss John Barton. An exit from the Trophy at this early stage would surely have all but brought a premature end to the Brewers season, and a hostile reaction from the supporters. As it is, the Albion fans go home happy in anticipation of Monday's draw, and the Wembley bandwagon remains on the tracks - just! Albion team: 1-Goodwin 2-Davies 5-Blount 12-Benton 3-Ashby 7-Marlowe 4-Stride 6-Spooner 10-Lyons 9-Cotter (Gooderick 89) 11-Holmes Subs (not used): Wooley, Mays
Saturday 29th November 1997 The road to Hell (or Halesowen)...
FA Umbro Trophy 3rd Qualifying Round Halesowen Town 1 Wright 27 Burton Albion 2 Benton 4, Holmes 81 Attendance: 773 Albion progress into the First Round Proper with a hard fought victory, finally breaking the deadlock which has seen both League meetings between the two sides this season ending all-square. In fact it almost needed an Eton Park replay to settle this one, David Holmes (with an 81st minute winner) the man who ensured that we can all stay in and watch Brookside on Tuesday night, rather than going out in the Arctic conditions which seem to have gripped Britain in the last few days- and I should know, I spent the best part of my Saturday afternoon standing by the side of a motorway somewhere in the West Midlands waiting for the AA to arrive to replace my busted tyre, therefore missing one of the few highspots of the Brewers' season so far. Life can be cruel, readers.... Kick-Off -30 mins... The crowds begin to filter in at The Grove, as in the bowels of the stadium John Barton delivers a rousing and passionate team-talk ,(OK so I'm having to use a bit of imagination here) on the importance of this cup-tie in kick-starting the Brewers' season. Meanwhile, due to the sadistic nature of the suits at the Department of Road Signs (or whatever they call themselves), and the fact that I can't tell the difference between "M5" and "M6", I find myself heading the wrong way down the latter road (the wrong way for where I was going I mean, not the wrong way down the carriageway!), and facing the annoying prospect of missing the Kick-Off. However, worse is to come... Kick-Off - 20 mins... Phft Phft Phft. The car judders and lists like a cruise-liner about to sink, smoke begins to pour forth from the front tyre, bits of rubber are flying around- even a motor-phobe like me can tell that something is not quite right here, so, in a manoeuvre reminiscent of Tony Cascarino at his most agile, I swerve across three lanes of traffic, without causing a horiffic pile-up. Pretty impressive huh? Kick-Off -15mins... There's nothing like a bracing 400 yard sprint down the hard shoulder of a motorway in the pouring rain to make you feel really alive, is there? Kick-Off -10 mins... The two teams emerge to a rousing welcome from the 773-strong crowd, Albion including recently-returned from injury Steve Spooner in midfield, and fellow recent-invalid Les Hornby filling in at left-back for the also-crocked Nick Ashby. The Motorway control policeman finally takes time-out from reading his paper to answer my distress call, and informs me that I will have to wait up to an hour and a half for the AA to arrive. Bloody marvellous. Kick-Off... Following the Policemans advice to "stay outside of your vehicle", I turn the car radio up to the max, retreat to the grass verge, light up, and visualise myself in a future Police Stop! programme on ITV....."Look at this foolish motorist! He's parked up on the hard shoulder to smoke a cigarette and listen to a football match!" 4 Mins... Dave Benton scores his first ever goal for Albion, "a looped shot from 15 yards after an attempted clearance from Gardiner" according to Dave Twigg on Radio Derby. Despite this cheering news, the constant drizzle is already beginning to piss me off, and so after hanging around just long enough to hear some more good news- that of Gianfranco Zola's first goal against Derby, I leg-it to the shelter of a nearby motorway bridge. 27 minutes... "Matt for Emma." Hmmm...the standard of graffiti in Britain today is definitely slipping. I blame the teachers. At least a more intersting slogan like "F*** tha police" or "Up the Provo's" would provide food for thought, and help pass the time. Time...begins to slow down as the cold wind numbs my senses and the drone of traffic lulls me into a state of semi-consciousness. And unbeknown to me, Evran Wright fires Halesowen back to level terms, after a slip from Matt Smith. Half-Time... Halesowen 1 Albion 1. An AA man taunts me by slowing down as he goes past...and then speeding off. Git! 46 minutes... Albion win a corner straight from the restart but Blount is penalised for pushing.Albion continue to exert pressure, winnning three more corners in 5 minutes. Bored Bored Bored! There aren't even any farm animals in the nearby fields to make friends with. (and I mean that in the platonic sense, Derby fans!) My feet are soaking, frostbite is beginning to set in, I'm sick of looking at the same slab of concrete. This place makes Church Gresley seem like some kind of crazy party town! 66 minutes... I'm just beginning to contemplate spending the rest of my life living here, and considering the practicalities of barbecueing a dead sparrow with my Zippo lighter, when, out of the corner of my eye I see an orange flashing light, like that of an angel from heaven. The breakdown van has arrived- my ordeal is over. It was tough, but I think I'll live. 76 minutes... After the mechanic bloke has finished asking stupid questions like "what size tyres do your car take?" , he finally gets round to repairing my vehicle to a fit condition, and we're on the road again. Sadly, with only fourteen minutes of the match left, and as many miles to go til' Halesowen, I stand nil chance of making it there before the final whistle. Oh well, at least I get to here Zola get his hat-trick against Derby, and then.... 81 minutes... David Holmes fires a low shot past keeper McDonnell to send the visiting Brewers fans into raptures. Albion come home with a place in the First Round Proper, and I come home with pneumonia!
Albion team: 1- Goodwin 2- Davies 5- Blount 12- Smith 3- Hornby 7- Marlowe 9- Benton (15- Stride) 6- Spooner 11- Holmes 10- Garner 4- Cotter Subs (not used): 14- Lyons, 16- Gooderick Back to Review of the 1997-98 season
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