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| September 1998 Match Reports | |
Saturday 26th September 1998 Brewers bounce back in eight-goal thriller Dr. Martens League Premier Division: Burton Albion 5 Gloucester City 3 David Holmes netted a hat trick against his old club, as managerless Albion got the post-Barton era underway with a bang. The BrewersNet-sponsored striker was on top form as Albion turned in a spirited display, twice coming from behind in a thrilling Eton Park contest. The mood amongst supporters was markedly different to that of recent times, with the fans now actually behind the team - and the only abuse now directed at the visitors and referee. The temporary management trio - Steve Spooner - injured and taking up his position in the dugout, Andy Garner and Nick Goodwin - chose to play five along the back in a team that was by no means at full strength. Alan Davies and Matt Smith were recalled to the side as wing backs, and youngster Ross Mays made his debut in midfield - with newcomers Stuart Lake and Kevin Collins joining Brendan Hackett and Steve Spooner on the injury list. Albion threatened as early as the second minute - David Holmes running onto a long ball from Blount, and then into Mokler. The City keeper was down injured for some time, and almost immediately from resuming play, Gloucester stunned Burton with a well worked goal on five minutes - Darren Keeling powering in a header from Holloway's cross from the right. Two minutes later Albion should have had a penalty - Steve Kemp clearly handled in the box but the referee ignored all appeals. The Brewers were responding positively to having gone behind, and a clever free-kick move between Garner and Davies almost came off, before the equaliser did arrive in spectacular fashion. Tony Marsden fed Garner, his pass found Holmes, and the former Gloucester player beat Mokler with a beautifully weighted lob from outside the box. The second half started quietly, but soon sparked to life five minutes after the restart, when Tony Marsden - turning in his best performance for some time - was brought down in the area by Kemp. This time the referee did see it, and Andy Garner smashed in the resultant penalty to put the Brewers ahead. Yet this was just the beginning of a rollercoaster second half, as - against the run of play- Gloucester regained the lead, with two goals either side of the hour mark. Adie Mings was the scorer of both - the first a shot from inside the box after Albion had failed to clear properly, the second a simple finish from close range after Goodwin failed to hold Thorne's header, from a Tony Hemmings corner. In recent games, this might have been a cue to head for the exits, but the way Albion were playing today you always had the feeling they might still come back into it. The breakthrough came on 70 minutes - Davies' free-kick was headed against the bar by Mark Blount, and the ball emerged from a crowded area at the feet of David Holmes - who steered it back into the net. Then, sensationally, the Brewers were back in front from a superb goal by Alan Davies - his first for more than three years. A chipped free-kick to Andy Garner on the edge of the box was returned to Davies on the right, and the Brewers wing-back unleashed a blistering ten yard drive from a narrow angle, to send the crowd into raptures. Goodwin had to save from Mings late on as the visitors searched for another equaliser, but David Holmes put the finishing touches to a stirring Albion display - completing his hat trick four minutes into injury time. Gary Thorne blasted his clearance straight at Marsden, and Holmes - through one on one with Mokler - made no mistake with his finish. This performance was the perfect response to the events of the past week, and if this team had only shown half as much spirit and invention throughout the season, John Barton would still have been in charge. As it is, Albion launch into a new era in encouraging fashion, and can approach next Saturday's potentially tricky visit to Rocester in the FA Cup, with slightly less trepidation.
Tuesday 22nd September 1998 Yeltz hammer another nail in Barton's coffin Dr. Martens League Premier Division: Burton Albion 0 Halesowen Town 1 Forty years almost to the day since the first ever game at Eton Park - and for the most part "forty years of hurt, forty years of dreaming" (if you'll excuse the pun). As far as the 620 assembled faithful are concerned, dreaming is just what John Barton is doing if he thinks he has a team remotely capable of challenging for the Dr. Martens League championship. With one month of the season gone, the Brewers slumped to their fifth league defeat in embarassing fashion at Eton Park tonight, and a better team than Halesowen would have put them out of their misery long before the disillusioned crowds started streaming away. Many of those who did stay until the final whistle joined in some of the most vocal calls for his resignation beleagured boss John Barton has had to endure in over four years at the club. Albion reverted to a more traditional formation following Saturday's "lone-striker" experiment at Crawley, with David Holmes reverting to his favoured striker's role alongside Andy Garner, and youngster Aaron Webster being named in the starting line up for the first time, in place of the injured Brendan Hackett. After a reasonably bright start, Halesowen stunned their hosts with a well crafted goal on 19 minutes. After good build up play, Ian Reed's shot was parried by Goodwin, and Mark Gardiner was on hand to drill the ball home. Albion were looking short of ideas and inspiration in midfield, and once again their best chances came from setpieces. David Holmes had a free-kick turned over on 28 minutes, and then Andy Garner's beautifully struck effort from outside the box was only just tipped onto the bar by Dany McDonnell. If the Brewers' first-half display was poor, their performance in the second half was simply dire. Albion continued to have the better of the possession, but some woefully poor passing lost them possession far too often, and only the mediocrity of the visitors let the Brewers off the hook. Darren Stride and substitute Chris Smith - on for the ineffective David Holmes - had headed attempts on goal, but it was Halesowen who came closest to adding to their tally - only the woodwork saving Albion from more humiliation from Adrian Cooper's header. The later stages of the game were almost painful to watch, with new signings Kevin Collins and Stuart Lake in particular coming under increased criticizm from home supporters - the latter almost gettting into an argument with one fan who'd told him to "get back to Hednesford". And the unsavoury atmosphere was added to by an on-pitch brawl, following the Halesowen number seven's reckless two-footed tackle on Darren Grocutt - both of whom received yellow cards for their part in the unseemly affair. Loud boos greeted the final whistle, and the Brewers boss headed for the tunnel with the chant "Barton Out!" ringing in his ears, no doubt to dish out a similarly scathing lecture to his players. The question is, how many more one-hour "lock-ins" will Barton be allowed to deliver before the patience of the board finally snaps. On this evidence, something has to change - sooner rather than later.
Monday 14th September Collins' return can't shore up leaky defence Dr. Martens League Premier Division: Worcester City 2 Burton Albion 0 A second new signing in four days made the starting line-up at St. George's Lane on Monday evening - veteran full-back Kevin Collins returning to the Brewers almost a decade after his first spell with the club. Collins, who played alongside current Brewers boss John Barton for Kidderminster against Albion in the 1987 FA Trophy final, follows midfielder Stuart Lake - signed last week - from Conference side Hednesford Town. Collins played reasonably well on his return to Albion colours, but the Brewers were let down by more poor defending by his colleagues, as two first-half goals for Worcester in the space of three minutes gave Burton a mountain they couldn't climb, despite having the best of the chances at a ground where they always struggle. Nick Goodwin pushed away a ball which was hit straight back at him by Ian Cottrill for the first goal on 19 miutes. Then, with numbing predictability for Albion fans, a terrible pass from Alan Davies gave away posession in a dangerous area, former Halesowen star Evran Wright received the ball from Cotterill, and his pass across a gaping goal gave Mark Owen the simplest of finishes. Worcester defended in depth in the second half and the Brewers had neither the invention or guile to breach the City back line, despite continuing to have the better possesion. And the chances that did come their way were wasted. David Holmes' dangerous run into the area from Daniel Davidson - named in the starting line-up for the first time- ended in comedic fashion as Holmes' touch let him down, and the ball bobbleed tamely out for a goal kick. Probably the most entertaining spell of the evening was when the play was held up for five minutes as a Worcester official desperately searched for a ball to use - the others having disappeared over the stand roof. Albion had probably their best chances in the dying minutes - keeper Higgs making a double save to deny Davidson and then Marsden, but by this point the game was up for Albion. The pressure grows again on John Barton, after a defeat - at the ground where he started his career- which continues the Brewers patchy start to the season - four wins and four defeats in the opening eight games. A vast improvement is needed - and fast. Next match - away at Crawley Town this Saturday, 19th September (Kick-off 3pm)
Saturday 12th September 1998 Danny Boy is Brewers "get out of jail" card Dr. Martens League Premier Division: Burton Albion 2 Bromsgrove Rovers 1 An injury time winner from young substitute Daniel Davidson gave the Brewers a scarcely deserved victory against Bromsgrove in a poor match at Eton Park. Micky Cotter had equalised five minutes earlier, just when the match seemed to be slipping away from Albion, to stall renewed criticizm from the terraces at the Brewers shaky start to the season. The first surprise of the afternoon was the absence from the starting line-up of Darren Stride - Brewers man of the match in Tuesday night's 4-1 drubbing at Nuneaton - dropped to make way for new signing Stuart Lake. Lake joined the club on Friday, on a month's loan from Conference side Hednesford Town. John Barton hopes to make the move permanent, and other Dr. Martens clubs such as Nuneaton are reported to have expressed an interest in the 22 year old midfielder. Albion almost got off to a flying start to this match - Brendan Hackett's run and driven shot bringing a scrambled save out of keeper Dudley. But the game never got into any rhthym, and a half of few chances ended goalless. Rovers' veteran ex-Everton defender Derek Mountfield was substituted at half-time due to injury, and his replacement Shaun Davies also had to go off with a head wound, but Albion failed to capitalise on the disarray in the Rovers defence. On 64 minutes Bromsgrove were ahead - Stuart Payne receiving a pass from Cooper and firing past Goodwin. John Barton again gambled on taking off a defender to bring on a forward - Alan Davies being replaced to give Daniel Davidson only his second taste of competetive first team action. Albion huffed and puffed but couldn't conjur up anything to breach the visitors defences, until a five minute spell at the death which turned the game on it's head. Brendan Hackett - provider of so many goals for his team this season - supplied the cross, Andy Garner flicked it on and Micky Cotter headed in the equaliser. Then, in the dying seconds, substitute Davidson - making only his second appearance for the club, finished a simlar move - from Hackett's corner flicked on by Garner- to snatch victory for the Brewers. Despite the welcome three points, another uninspired performance will have done little to persuade Brewers fans their team have turned the corner. The next test comes tonight (Monday) when Albion travel to Worcester City (kick-off 7.30pm).
Tuesday 8th September 1998 Manor misery as Brewers are mugged Dr. Marten's League Premier Division: Nuneaton Borough 4 Burton Albion 1 Just days after handing out a four goal drubbing to Cambridge City, Albion found themselves on the end of the same scoreline at the hands of their oldest rivals, as, with a little help from referee Hubbard, cock-a-hoop Boro sent the Brewers back down the A444 with tails firmly between their legs. With his team trailing 2-0, Andy Garner had pulled a goal back before the interval, and the Brewers were having the better of the second half when a terrible decision by the Leicester official put an end to any hopes the Brewers had of ending Boro's one hundred percent start to the season. The game had started amidst a frenzied local derby atmosphere at Manor Park, with the Brewers looking like rabbits caught in the gaze of car headlights, seemingly overawed by the occasion, and the two-thousand plus crowd. It was no surprise when Nuneaton took the lead after 17 minutes - a mix-up between Holmes and Davies, typical of the Brewers hesitancy in the early stages, gave away possesion, with Gardner and Anton Thomas combining with a lightning break to fire Boro into the lead. The Brewers improved as the half progressed, but found themselves two down on 40 minutes, let down again by poor defending. Nick Goodwin rushed out of his area in an attempt to plug the gaping hole opening up in front of him, but fluffed his attempted clearance, allowing Thomas to feed Malcolm Christie to lob in past the despairing last defender Mark Blount - continuing the record of Boro's new strike sensation of scoring in every game so far this season. The Brewers seemed to be stung into action by the second goal, and within minutes, they had pulled one back. This time it was Boro keeper Williams at fault - he couldn't hang on to Matt Smith's cross and as Boro struggled to clear their lines, Steve Spooner hooked the ball in for Andy Garner to head in a glancing header from close range. And the Brewers could have been level before the interval - Steve Prinidville making a desperate clearance off the line from Garner at the end of a rollercoaster first half which had enthralled both sets of supporters. Albion continued to come back into the game in the second half, silencing the hitherto noisy home crowd. Micky Cotter was denied by Williams, and Darren Stride came close, but as the Brewers pushed for an equaliser, all their hard work was undone by a refereeing error on 64 minutes. Malcolm Christie was allowed to run on to Thomas's pass and fire home for Boro, but despite having been clearly in an offside position when the move began, referee Hubbard allowed the goal to stand. The decision sparked uproar in the Albion ranks - Nick Goodwin sprinting half way up the pitch to vent his feelings at the referee, receiving a yellow card for his trouble, and then booting the ball high into the Cock and Bear terrace in frustration.. The game was now effectively over for the Brewers - John Barton gambled on replacing defender Matt Smith with his namesake - striker Craig, and bringing on the fresh legs of Aaron Webster, but despite continuing to work hard, his team had nothing left to give, and Boro took advantage of the open spaces and tired legs in the Albion defence - Barry Williams making the run and Anton Thomas finishing another quick breakaway to rub salt into Albion wounds - and it could even have been five but for a superb save by Goodwin from Simpson's header. The Brewers understandably outraged by the refereeing blunder, but in truth they were undone by their own carelessness in defence, exploited ruthlessly by a Boro side who you would not bet against for the Dr. Marten's League title this season.
Saturday 5th September 1998 Two-goal Garner leads Albion to victory Dr. Marten's League Premier Division: Burton Albion 4 Cambridge City 1 Brewers "man of the moment" Andy Garner continued where he'd left off at The Grove on Monday evening, grabbing two more goals to drive the Brewers on to a resounding first home victory of the season. Steve Spooner and Micky Cotter added to the tally and Jason Carter missed a second half penalty for Cambridge, as the Brewers completed a much-needed victory over one of their traditional "bogey sides". Albion got the early goal the home fans were looking for, Andy Garner heading in Brendan Hackett's corner after ten minutes. The Brewers were looking far more creative going forward than in the previous games at Eton Park this season - Micky Cotter threatening the visitors goal with a run from the halfway line, and keeper Barber prompting appeals for a handball outside the box as he blocked Holmes attempt to run on to a beautifully floated through ball from Hackett. City came more into the game as the half progressed, and were level two minutes before the interval. Goodwin -under pressure in the box- couldn't hold on to Cogger's corner, and Andy Kiwomya - brother of former Ipswich star Chris - was on hand to poke the ball in from close range. However, John Barton's team were in no mood to be disheartened, and they were back in front just two minutes after the restart - Mark Blount powering in a header from Davies' free-kick, and -that man again- Andy Garner providing the finish. Minutes later it was almost three - David Holmes' precocious lob with keeper Barber stranded was desperately cleared against the crossbar and out by Carter, the City defence in disarray. Burton put the match seemingly beyond reach on 67 minutes - Garner again heading towards goal from a Hackett corner - the ball rebounding off a defender and the post before being bundled over the line by Steve Spooner. But Cambridge wasted a chance to come back into the game on 71 minutes - a tricky run from Neil Cogger brought to an end by Benton's lunge in the box, Jason Carter blasting the resulting penalty against the bar. Two minutes later, the Brewers put the seal on a concincing victory - Brendan Hackett once again providing the threat from a corner, Darren Stride's touch rebounding off a defender, and in off Micky Cotter. A morale-boosting victory which should put the Brewers in good heart for Tuesday night's trip to local rivals Nuneaton Borough (kick-off 7.45pm) - as they attempt to be the first team to take points off Boro' this season.
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