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| April 2000 News and Reports |
| Date | Story | Type |
| 24-4-00 | "Bank Holiday blues" | Report: Halesowen (h) |
| 23-4-00 | "Back down to earth" | Report: Ilkeston (a) |
| 19-4-00 | "Cup joy for Brewers" | Report: Hastings (h) |
| 18-4-00 | "Albion on a cup mission" | Report: Crawley (h) |
| 12-4-00 | "Brewers steal 1st leg advantage" | Report: Hastings (a) |
| 11-4-00 | "Cotter clinches draw for Lambs" | Report: Tamworth (h) |
| 3-4-00 | "Top boss Clough aiming for Silver" | DML Cup Final Preview |
| 1-4-00 | "Anton's Worcester return" | Loan signing/ Clough denies rumours |
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Monday 24th April 2000 Bank Holiday blues Dr. Martens League: Albion 2 Halesowen 4 A miserable Easter period for the Brewers was completed as they crashed to a 4-2 reversal to Halesowen Town at Eton Park on Easter Monday. After a promising opening period in which Darren Stride had a header cleared off the line, and Dale Anderson was denied what looked a clear penalty after being tripped in the box, Halesowen took advantage of more of the kind of lax defending which undid the Brewers at Ilkeston two days earlier, and could even afford the luxury of a missed penalty as they became only the third side this season to win at Eton Park in the league. The first goal came on the half hour, Clinton Thomas capitalizing as the Albion defence failed to clear, to fire a low shot home from the edge of the box. Worse was to follow shortly before half time when more loose defending saw the ball fall to winger Paul Birch, the former Aston Villa and Wolves man firing home a thunderbolt of a shot which left Goodwin with no chance. It was threatening to turn into a rout 18 minutes into the second half when Thomas raced through in acres of space to beat Goodwin in a one on one, but a late fightback gave the home fans hope, starting with David Holmes's cross-cum-shot on 74 minutes which curled into the far corner, with substitute Andy Garner claiming to have added a faint touch to carry the ball past Yeltz 'keeper McDonnell. When player manager Nigel Clough fired home a rare goal two minutes later, a rousing climax looked on the cards, but ultimately Albion's challenge fizzled out, until they were put out of their misery a minute from the end, when Michael Forsyth missed his header from Birch's long ball, and Ian Aldridge made easy work of slotting past Goodwin. Nigel Clough, for whom defensive strength is the foundation of his footballing philosophy, was critical of the blunders which led his defence to concede eight goals in two days. "It was a very, very poor performance defensively," Clough told the Burton Mail, "We've had the odd glitch before but to lose two games on the bounce and concede eight goals in the process is unusual.
"For eight months we've
generally defended very well but this season simply reinforces our view of
what we need for next season," continued Clough, "We have two or three
players lined up, we know who we want and it's just a matter of going out
and getting them to come here."
Sunday 23rd April 2000 Back down to earth Dr. Martens League: Ilkeston 4 Albion 1 The Brewers' end-of-season optimism bubble, inflated by Tuesday night's Dr. Martens League Cup success, was well and truly burst at the New Manor Ground on Saturday, as Albion crashed to an embarassing 4-1 defeat to neighbours Ilkeston Town. Albion were dealt a major blow in midweek when it was revealed that the injury sustained by loan signing James Wall was a broken ankle, keeping the central defender out of action well into next season. And the Brewers' makeshift defence looked hopelessly inadequate against the Robins' big-guns, going three goals down in a nightmare opening half an hour. Christian Moore, returning to his old stomping ground for the first time since signing for the Brewers from Ilkeston, had the ball in the net early on but the 'goal' was ruled out for offside, and this was virtually the extent of Albion's attacking threat as their defensive frailties left Albion chasing the game. First, Alan Davies fired into the roof of his own net attempting to clear after Andy Todd's shot was blocked by Goodwin on 8 minutes. Seven minutes later it was 2-0, as Todd, the Robins' 'new kid on the block', recevied Ian Heliwell's flick-on before keeping his composure to slot home past the advancing Goodwin. Just when Albion seemed to have weathered the storm, came goal number three. Goodwin couldn't hold Paul Eshelby's shot and Todd fired his second against the inside of the far post, the referee ruling the ball had crossed the line. Albion's attempts at passing their way back into the game floundered hopelessly in the mud of a New Manor Ground pitch drenched by a pre-match downpour, and the closest they came to pulling a goal back was Aaron Webster's free-kick from outside the box which rattled the Ilkeston cross-bar just before half time. The Brewers looked slightly less exposed at the back in the second half, with Darren Stride being pulled back into a defensive role in place of Henshaw, but continued to spurn the chances that came their way at the other end. Christian Moore was the most guilty, blazing his shot high over the bar from six yards when it seemed easier to score, after Ilkeston 'keeper Love had blocked Henshaw's effort. Nigel Clough opted to bring some fresh legs into the game, bringing on all three substitutes, including a rare sighting of 'forgotten man' Phil Starbuck, but on 77 minutes they went 4-0 down, Ian Helliwell heading Mark Clifton's corner in off the bar. It was all over now, save for a solitary Dale Anderson strike three minutes from time, precious little consolation for a performance which dents Albion's credibility as potential Dr. Martens League runers-up, although they hang onto that position after Bath City dropped more points against Newport.
The Brewers have
an almost instant chance to get this one out of their system, when they take
on Halesowen Town on Monday (3pm), the penultimate home match of the
season.
Wednesday 19th
April 2000
Albion lifted the Southern League Cup for the third time in their history last night, beating Hastings Town 4-1 to complete a resounding 6-2 aggregate win over the Eastern Division side, in monsoon conditions at Eton Park. The heavy rain which had lashed down for most of the day left this fixture in jeopardy, but the referee's decision to allow the game to go ahead was vindicated, as the Eton Park playing surface suited two passing sides who did the competition credit. More than 1,500 fans braved the elements, most of them expecting to see Albion lift the cup after a scarcely deserved first leg victory in Sussex a week ago. But any doubts about the Brewers' worthiness to lift the trophy were dispelled as they turned on the style to clinch a convincing victory, and Nigel Clough his first piece of silverware.
The Brewers boss
had made clear to fans before the game his intention of staying at Eton
Park for the forseeable future, at the end of a week which has seen intense
media speculation linking him with the Chesterfield job. "We feel as though
we're midway through a job," said Clough in a radio interview, "The
main aim is to get the club into the Conference and finishing runners-up
doesn't do that, nor does winning a cup, so we haven't really done the job
that we set out to do. We'll see next season, try and get one or two more
players in and improve the standard once again."
The rain kept coming,
and so did the goals, Alan Davies, playing only his second game after
a five-week absence through injury, saw a gap in the Hastings defence, and
lashed home a 22-yard thunderbolt, to the delight of the home fans, to cap
a commanding first half performance, three minutes before the interval.
It's not the league championship - that title is likely to be clinched on Saturday by Boston United - but it's still a trophy, and it's been a long time since Albion lifted one of those on their own ground. If the Brewers can round of their season by clinching the Dr. Martens league runners-up spot, hopes will be higher than ever that next season, with Clough at the helm, they can go one better. Click here to view more pics from after the Hastings match...
Albion win 6-2 win on aggregate
Tuesday 18th April 2000 Albion on a cup mission Albion look to clinch their first silverware under Nigel Clough when Hastings Town visit Eton Park tonight (Tuesday, 7.45pm), for the second leg of the Dr. Martens League Cup Final. The Brewers will be hot favourites to lift the trophy for the third time in their history, carrying a 2-1 advantage into the match from last week's match at Pilot Field, but will be taking nothing for granted against a Hastings side who came from behind against Premier Division sides Margate and Havant & Waterlooville to reach this stage of the competition. The match should be watched by a healthy crowd hoping to see the Brewers lift a trophy on their own ground, which will be a first for many. Meanwhile, Albion continued to maintain their bid for a highest ever league position, with a 3-0 defeat of Crawley Town at Eton Park on Saturday.Once again the Brewers were far from at their best, but managed to grind out a result against a Crawley team still not safe from relegation. Crawley had a penalty appeal waved away early in the first half when Franics Vines went down in the box under the challenge of Goodwin, but the referee waved play on. An end-of-season game which did little to excite Albion's lowest league crowd of the season was brough to life six minutes before the interval, when Darren Stride won an aerial battle with big Reds defender John Ugbah, and Aaron Webster threaded a ball through to Christian Moore, who kept his composure to slot home his sixth goal since joining the Brewers. His seventh wasn't long in coming. Substitute Dale Anderson was causing problems for the visitors defence, and his jinking run into the box ended with him being brought down by Andy Taylor. Moore made no mistake from the spot, and seven minutes later it was 3-0. The best move of the game was started and finished by Darren Stride. The Albion skipper passed to Nigel Clough, who found Anderson on the left. His pass infield found Christian Moore, who returned the ball to Stride on the right, to fire home past visitors 'keeper Andy Little. The scoreline flattered the Brewers somewhat, with Crawley having had their chances to equalize in the first part of the second half. The closest they came saw a shot from Jay Lovett riccochett back off the post and against Goodwin in bizzare fashion. The scoreline keeps Albion in second place, with Bath City continuing to snap at their heels, after winning at Havant & Waterlooville. Bath can overtake the Brewers tonight when they travel to Crawley, but anything less than three points for the West Country side will see Boston United confirmed as champions.
You can tune into live
commentary on the Albion - Hastings match tonight from 7pm on BBC Radio
Derby, 1116kHz on your medium wave dial.
Brewers steal 1st leg advantage Dr. Martens Cup Final 1st Leg - Hastings 1 Albion 2 On a rainy night in Sussex, the Brewers took a decisive step towards lifting the Dr. Martens League Cup, giving themselves a 2-1 lead to take into next week's Final return leg. How exactly they did it is a question many of the 100 or so die-hards who made the four-hour trek, passing through enough climate changes en route to keep Michael Fish busy for a month, will be asking themselves. Trailing to Paul Jones's goal on the hour mark, Albion's recklessness in front of goal could have seen them go two or three down, before two Albion goals in quick succession killed off the challenge of the Eastern Division side. The pitch wasn't as treachorous as before last week's postponed match (see picture below), but the April showers had left it heavy, which contributed to a cautious and cagey first half. The few scoring chances there were fell to Hastings - Nick Goodwin was forced to tip over a long range free-kick from Town top scorer Terry White, Stuart Playford blasted a shot wide, and Danny Simmonds turned the ball around the post when it seemed easier to score. At the other end, by contrast, Tony Kessell hardly had a touch to make. The second half seemed to be meandering along to a similar pattern, with the Brewers happy to contain their hosts, until the breakthrough finally came 15 minutes after the break. An initial mistake from Aaron Webster allowed Danny Simmons through, the ball broke to Stuart Myall whos rasping drive Goodwin could only parry, and Jones was on hand to sweep the ball home from close range. Hastings, far from being content to sit back on their lead, pushed forward with vigour in search of another goal, aided by some more slack defending from the Brewers. Goalscorer Jones set up Terry White who fired wide from 12 yards, Aaron Webster had to clear a lobbed effort from Steve Yates off his own goal line, and Terry Henshaw's header fell straight at the feet of Duncan McArthur, who shot narrowly wide. Albion were rocking, and on the rare chances they managed to break out of their own half, showed precious little to trouble the Hastings' backline. It was clear changes had to be made, but whether the arrival of Andy Garner as substitute for the ineffective Holmes was the answer was doubted by the away fans, who would have preferred to see Dale Anderson, returning from injury, given a run-out. Within a few minutes the irrepressible Garner had silenced his critics once again, finding the net as the Brewers, helped by a large slice of luck, turned the match on it's head. A free-kick dubiously awarded by the referee was taken quickly by Nigel Clough, allowing the tenacious Christian Moore to wriggle his way past his marker and fire a low shot into the net. The goal seemed to suck the life out of Hastings, and within a few minutes Albion had gone in front. Darren Stride held off the challenge of the injured Town defender Spencer Mintrum to set up Garner at the near post, who somehow managed to steer the ball into the net, with the help of a deflection off Playford.
It was a surprising
and (for Brewers fans) uplifting climax to what had otherwise been a fairly
tepid encounter. Next Tuesday's second leg will hopefully be more exciting.
A decent crowd is expected, the destination of the cup has to be decided
on the night, and, despite this result, Hastings will be no pushovers, and
will be aggrieved at having finished on the receiving end of a defeat in
a home leg they really should have won.
Tuesday 11th April 2000 Cotter clinches draw for Lambs Former Brewer Micky Cotter enjoyed a bittersweet return to Eton Park on Saturday, as for the second time in a month Albion shared the points with Staffordshire rivals Tamworth, in a far from scintilating derby clash. Cotter stole the headlines with an equalizing goal for the Lambs ten minutes after half time, before being stretchered off the field following a challenge with Albion's on-loan defender James Wall. The striker was taken to hospital in an ambulance, but a suspected broken leg proved later just to be severe bruising. Bruising was the right word for a physical battle in which both sides gave as good as they got, including Cotter who was booked early in the first half for his foul on Wall, and later escaped further punishment for an alleged elbow on Aaron Webster. The match was a virtual carbon copy of that between the sides at the Lamb in February, with Albion dominating posession in the first half, though rarely looking at anything like their fluent best. Neil Glasser almost got the game off to a flyer with a volley inside 30 seconds which sailed just wide of the far post, and by the time the midfielder did find the scoresheet three minutes before half time, the 1,188 crowd had seen precious little to rouse them in the April sunshine. The goal was easily the best move of the half, created by what all but the most rabid of Tamworth fans would agree was a moment of class from Nigel Clough, taking charge of his 100th match as Albion boss. Latching onto Mark Hallam's misplaced header, Clough unleashed an instinctive pass which split the Tamworth defence and allowed Neil Glasser to round Darren Acton, another member of Tamworth's ex-Burton contingent, to slot home into the net. The second half was a completely different story, as Tamworth seized control of the game, and could have gone ahead on several occasions after Cotter had levelled matters at close range from Hallam's pass on 54 minutes. Substitute Owen Wright, Cotter's replacement, had a chance to put the visitors ahead, and Hallam had a goal disallowed for offside. As the seconds ticked away Tamworth almost snatched it right at the death when Nick Goodwin was forced to dive at full length to turn Jon Howard's header round the post. Albion had little to offer in response, save for Christian Moore's dipping volley which rattled the visitors crossbar.
The impact of another
weary performance from the Brewers was lessened by Bath City and Margate
cancelling each other out at Twerton Park, meaning the Brewers hang on to
second place. Attention returns meanwhile to the Dr. Martens League Cup tonight
(Tuesday 7.45pm) when the Brewers travel to Hastings Town for the
Final First Leg, rearranged from last week (see preview
below).
Monday 3rd April 2000 Top boss Clough aiming for Silver Nigel Clough has received the Dr. Martens League manager of the month award for March, and can cap his first full season at Eton Park with some silverware, if the Brewers overcome Hastings Town in the Dr. Martens League Cup Final, the first leg of which is tomorrow (Tuesday - 7.45pm). The Brewers make the long trek to Pilot Field in fine fettle, having moved into second place in the league after Saturday's 1-0 away win at Grantham Town. Darren Stride came close to opening the scoring with a header after just three minutes, and former Grantham midfielder Neil Glasser had a shot deflected wide, before the goal finally arrived on the stroke of half time. Nigel Clough's run into the box was ended with a foul by former Gresley defender Matt Carvell, and Christian Moore made no mistake from the penalty spot. The result coincided with yet another defeat for Bath City, who's season has gone off the rails in the past fortnight. Having previously been defeated only once all season, Paul Bodin's side have now lost the last four in successio, culminating in Saturday's 4-1 hammering at King's Lynn. From being title contenders, the Romans now face the prospect of losing the second place which they have occupied for much of the season, with the Brewers having a good chance of earning their highest ever league finish by the time Bath visit Eton Park for the final game of the season on 6th May. That scenario would represent the Brewers most successful season of recent times, particularly if they could add to that the prize of the Dr. Martens League Cup. It may not be the most glamorous of competitions, but with Albion having home advantage in the second leg of the final in a fortnight's time, the chance of seeing the Brewers lift a trophy on their own ground - a first for most fans - should ensure a good crowd at Eton Park. Hastings, coming from a lower league, will be the underdogs, but should not be underestimated having disposed of Premier Division sides Margate and Havant & Waterlooville in the last two rounds. They currently sit in sixth place in the Eastern Division, having beaten Corby Town 2-1 on Saturday, with top scorer Terry White getting both goals. Promotion looks highly unlikely though, with Fisher Athletic and Folkestone Invicta well clear in the two promotion places. Hastings' league form has been somewhat erratic - they've lost four and won three of the last seven games. Hastings were of course relegated from the Premier Division last season, despite finishing fifth in the table, after the Southern League refused to allow them to withdraw their resignation, after an ill-fated attempt to transfer to the more geographically compatible Ryman League. The club looked set to undergo a merger with near neighbours and Eastern Division rivals St. Leonards at the end of the season, with club director Les Britton memorably saying: "Unless a nuclear bomb falls on our head, the merger will happen," before talks between the two clubs broke down. A further meeting between the clubs was scheduled for last week, with some uncertainty remaining over St. Leonards' plans for the future. Albion are looking to make it a hat-trick of wins in the competition, having lifted the trophy in 1964, when they beat Weymouth in the final in front of a second leg crowd of 5,860, which is still Eton Park's record attendance, and more recently in 1997 when they beat Sudbury Town over two legs. Hastings have won the competition once, having beaten Leek Town in the 1995 final.
Route to the
final - Albion:
Route to the
final - Hastings:
Final: Going to Hastings:
The Pilot Field,
Elphinstone Rd, Hastings, E. Sussex, TN34 2AX At time of writing (Monday PM) a few seats were still available on the supporters coach, leaving Eton Park at 1.30pm on Tuesday afternoon. Call (01283) 510449 for details. Marston's Brewery is also running a coach, and supporters travelling by car should use the following directions: Head onto the M1 via Ashby/ Coalville (A511), and continue Southwards until you reach the Junction with the M25. Take your pick whether you want to go East or Westbound (East you have to go over the Dartford toll bridge) but follow the M25 as far as Junction 5 (Sevonoaks/ Royal Tunbridge Wells). At this junction follow the A21 for 41 miles until you reach the historic town of Hastings. Enter Hastings under the fly-over and immediately turn right into Junction Road. Continue to the end of this road and then turn right again onto The Ridge (towards Rye for about 2 miles). Continuing past the Harrow Inn (Left - good pub), and the Conquest Hospital (Right) and to the Cemetery Gates (High Stone Wall). Elphinstone Road is a very wide junction. At this junction go downhill for about half a mile and the ground is on the left. Say hello to their next door neighbours, St Leonards. Saturday 1st April 2000 Anton's Worcester return Out of favour striker Anton Thomas has returned to former club Worcester City, on loan. Thomas, who has barely figured in the Brewers' first team squad since returning from a loan spell with Hinckley United, will provide cover for John Barton's injury-hit Worcester City squad until the end of the season. Former Albion boss Barton said of the new addition to his squad: "I don't want to get involved in the politics of what has gone on between Anton and Burton Albion. We're short of numbers, he needs games and the theory is that he comes to us with something to prove." Thomas was a regular presence in the Brewers strikeforce in the first half of the season, but his lack of fitness, together with a perceived problem with his 'attitude' has meant he's looked increasingly unlikely to figure in Nigel Clough's plans for next season. At this week's club AGM, Clough hinted that Anton may not be at Eton Park after the summer, and that supporters could expect some more new signings, including possibly a goalkeeper, to provide competition for current custodian Nick Goodwin, who'll be 39 next season. Meanwhile, Clough has dismissed the latest in a long line of rumours linking him to the managers job at a Football League club. This time the Brewers boss has been touted as a possible successor to Second Division Chesterfield's under-pressure boss John Duncan, with the Saltergate club having just been taken over by 28-year old businessman Darren Brown. Clough has denied the latest rumours, saying: "This is an old chestnut and I'm a bit fed up of having to deny it. I would rather talk about our chances of finishing the season as runners-up."
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