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| March 1999 News | |
Tuesday 30th March 1999 Brewers' Milton Road mission Albion aim to pick up precious points in tonight's Dr. Martens League clash with Cambridge City at Milton Road (Kick-Off 7.30pm), with the Brewers' Premier Division status still not secure following Saturday's 2-0 reversal at King's Lynn. Former Gresley player Dave Puttnam created the first goal for Mark Turner to score after 33 minutes at the Walks Stadium, and added a strike of his own on 63, to continue the Linnets climb towards safety. Nick Goodwin had to be on form to deny former Brewers team-mate Micky Nuttell's header, and his opposite number - former Morrocan International Chuck Martini produced a string of saves to prevent Albion clawing their way back into the game - including a stunner from substitute Micky Cotter late on. Manager Clough gave a debut to the latest of his new signings - 23-year old defender Jimmy Neil, the former Scunthorpe and Grimsby player who joined the club on Friday. Neil was immediately thrown into first team action in the left-back spot, replacing Steve Spooner, who has deputised so well in that position this year, but reports of his performance, and that of loan signing from Gresley Ian Pitt were far from enthusiastic. With only three teams set to be relegated ahead of Hastings' resignation from the league, relegation remains a faint prospect for the Brewers, but Nigel Clough can't afford to be complacent with his team just seven points ahead of third bottom Dorchester. For tonight's opponents Cambridge the situation is even more critical - the Lilywhites are a point behind Dorchester in the second-bottom spot, but with two games in hand. They trail fourth-bottom Rothwell by two points, and have played the same number of games. Tonight's match will see Brewers' striker Phil Starbuck return to the club he's just left, it will be interesting to see what kind of reception he is afforded. Wednesday 24th March 1999 Grocutt joins Lambs in £1,000 deal Darren Grocutt has left Eton Park to join the Brewers' Staffordshire rivals Tamworth. 28-year old Grocutt, who has been on the transfer list since manager Nigel Clough made it clear he wasn't part of his plans, joined the Lambs for £1,000 and made his debut as substitute in his new team's 3-2 defeat of Rothwell at the Lamb last night. Grocutt re-joined the Brewers a year ago after having left the club in 1993 to go to Bromsgrove. He scored 17 goals in 123 appearances during his two spells at Burton. Grocutt's move to Tamworth ends speculation that he would re-join Brian Kenning -under whom he played at Albion and Bromsgrove- in his new position at Gresley. David Holmes proved once again the scourge of former club Gloucester City on Saturday. The BrewersNet sponsored player - who scored a hat trick against City earlier in the season, netted an 87th minute goal to take all three points from Saturday's clash at Meadow Park, leaving Gloucester's slender hopes of catching leaders Nuneaton in tatters. Burton-based player Tony Hemmings missed a golden chance to score for Gloucester on 50 minutes, blasting over the bar from a yard out, but Albion too had had their chances to score - Pat Lyons and Tony Marsden both hitting the crossbar in the first half. The victory came as a much needed boost to the Brewers following their embarassing exit from the Dr. Martens League Cup at the Quarter Final stage last Tuesday, when Albion lost 1-0 at Sutton Coldfield Town. The Brewers continue in away action in the Dr. Martens League in the coming weeks. On Saturday (Kick-Off 3pm) they travel to Norfolk to play King's Lynn - who did their survival prospects a power of good with a 1-0 victory over Bath City at The Walks last night, which lifts them above Gresley into the fifth bottom spot. Next Tuesday the Brewers are at Cambridge City (Kick-Off 7.30pm), and a week on Saturday there is another long trip - to Penydarren park to play Merthyr Tydfil (Kick-Off 3pm). Monday 15th March 1999 Clough swoops on more strikers Brewers boss Nigel Clough has delved into the transfer market once more, just days after bringing ex-Forest teammate Phil Starbuck to the club. Clough has signed two more players to further bolster his strike-force following Saturday's home victory over Hastings Town. 19-year old Dale Anderson joins the club from Conference side Hednesford Town, and in a surprise move Ian Pitt comes to Eton Park on a month's loan from rivals Gresley Rovers. Pitt has made it clear he wants out of the troubled Moat club, and if he impresses Nigel Clough and Gary Crosby during his stay, could become the latest in a long line of Gresley players to cross the Trent. Anderson, meanwhile arrives on a free transfer, with Hednesford entitled to 50 percent of any fee should the player be sold on. He was thought to have joiined Dr. Martens Premier League basement club Bromsgrove Rovers, and played for them in their 6-0 thrashing at Nuneaton last week, but the transfer has been ruled to be invalid, with Rovers facing possible FA action which could further hamper their flagging hopes of avoiding relegation. Meanwhile 30-year old Starbuck, who has also had spells at Huddersfield, Oldham and Plymouth, went straight into the team for Saturday's match, and scored as the Brewers overturned a 1-0 defecit to win 3-1. He joins the Brewers from fellow Dr. Martens side Cambridge City, where he made 12 full appearances and scored three goals this season. Stuart Myall fired Hastings in front on 16 minutes with a stunning goal, returning Nick Goodwin's goal kick past him and into the net from the halfway line. David Holmes levelled with a 34th minute lob, Starbuck's debut goal put the Brewers in front on 68, and he then pioneered the move from which Darren Stride made it 3-1, 25 minutes from time. The Brewers bring to an end a dismal home record, and pick up their first home point this year. Albion are in action tomorrow (Tuesday) when they travel to Sutton Coldfield Town in the Dr. Martens League Cup Quarter Final - with FA Trophy Quarter Finalists Boston United awaiting the winners in the semi-final. Then on Saturday the Brewers travel to Meadow Park where they can do old adversaries Nuneaton Borough a favour by killing off Gloucester City's faint hopes of catching Boro' in the race for promotion to the Conference. City missed out on a chance to gain on the leaders on Saturday when they could only draw at Tamworth, Boro' being held 1-1 at Salisbury. Wednesday 10th March 1999 Late goal can't steal Magpies points Dr. Martens League Premier Division: Dorchester Town 2 Burton Albion 1 The Brewers slumped to a disappointing defeat at the hands of lowly Dorchester Town in front of 472 at the Avenue Stadium last night. A goal from Tony Marsden on 88 minutes wasn't enough to overturn the Magpies' two goals - a penalty from Gary Alexander midway through the first half, and a 70th minute shot by Martyn Sullivan. Andy Garner saw a last gasp effort cleared off the line as the Brewers attempted to salvage something from their long trek South, but to no avail. Three precious points for the relegation threatened Dorset side, and another setback for Nigel Clough's side, as a five game unbeaten run (in all competitions) comes to an end. Albion are next scheduled in action on Saturday when "crisis club" Hastings Town are due to visit Eton Park - weather permitting. The Brewers team will have returned home late tonight to find East Staffordshire once again covered in a blanket of snow, and as we speak thick snowflakes continue to descend outside the windows of BrewersNet's luxury penthouse offices. Keep an eye on those weather forecasts. Meanwhile, Albion now know their opponents in the Quarter Finals of the Dr. Martens League Cup. The Brewers will play...wait for it...Sutton Coldfield Town, after they disposed of fellow Dr. Martens Midland Division side Bedworth United 2-1 in front of 164 shivering souls at the Oval last night. Arrangements for this "mouthwatering" Quarter Final are not yet known, but we'll let you know as soon as we have the date, plus details on whether the game will be all-ticket, and if the cameras of Sky Sports will be in attendance. Remember, Boston United await the winners in the Semi-Final. Saturday 6th March 1999 It's "snow go" for the Lambs show Today's scheduled Dr. Martens League Premier Division match between the Brewers and neighbours Tamworth has been postponed, following a morning pitch inspection. The Brewing Capital of Britain awoke covered in a blanket of snow this morning, leaving Eton Park picturesque, but unplayable. Albion are next in scheduled action on Tuesday evening when they travel to deepest Dorset to play Dorchester Town (Kick-Off 7.45pm). Then next Saturday (13th March) "crisis club" Hastings Town visit Eton Park (Kick-Off 3pm). The Sussex outfit are currently in the hands of receivers after lottery millionaire backer Mark Gardiner decided to pull out of the club. Meanwhile, the Brewers progressed through to the Fourth Round of the Dr. Martens League Cup on the away goals rule - used for the first time this season in the competition - following Tuesday evening's 1-1 draw against Bilston Town at Queen Street. Bilston captain Lee Rollason headed the home side in front just before half time, with loan-signing Micky Mason equalising for the Brewers ten minutes after the interval from David Holmes' cross. Albion now play the winners of the postponed Bedworth United - Sutton Coldfield tie in Round Five, with Boston United waiting the eventual winners in the two-legged semi-final. And I'm off to build a snowman. |
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