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| October 1999 News | |
| Date | Story | Type |
| 31-10-99 | "Another bite at the cherry" | Rochdale (h) |
| 29-10-99 | "Brewers seek Cup tonic" | Rochdale preview |
| 28-10-99 | "Tigers end unbeaten run" | Report: Gloucester (a) |
| 26-10-99 | "Brewers aim for the top" | Preview / ticket news |
| 19-10-99 | "Bring on Rochdale!" | Report: Woking (h) |
| 18-10-99 | "Brewers hold the Cards" | Report: Woking (a) |
| 15-10-99 | "Cup games keep on coming" | Preview/ new signing |
| 15-10-99 | "Albion Stride into next round" | Report: Trafford (a) |
| 12-10-99 | "Unwelcome replay as Trafford held" | Report: Trafford (h) |
5-10-99 |
Report: Dagenham (a) |
| Top
Another bite at the cherry FA Cup First Round - Albion 0 Rochdale 0 It wasn't the footballing classic we'd hoped for, as the pre-match assesments were proved true - a game between teams who could never be described as 'free-scoring', but with two of the meanest defences in their respective leagues - and in Rochdale's case the best defensive record in the entire Football League. The Division Three side have also failed to score a goal in more than seven hours of football, and 'Dale, while exerting sustained pressure as the game went on, rarely threatened to breach a solid Albion back line at full strength with the return of Alan Davies to right back, and Michael Forsyth bringing all his Football League experience to bear at the heart of defence. Neil Glasser was ruled out of the starting line-up by injury, and Craig Smith watched from the substitutes bench against his former team. In front of a slightly disappointing crowd of 3,103, it was Rochdale who started off more confidently, with Albion showing a touch too much respect to their higher ranked opponents, but soon Nigel Clough's team began to assert themselves and the gulf in league position between the two sides was barely evident. The Brewers' best chance of the first half came from David Holmes, cutting in from the left from Clough's through ball to whip in a shot, forcing a full-length save from visiting 'keeper Neil Edwards. By this time Rochdale had already been denied by Nick Goodwin - producing a fine save as Clive Platt headed Ford's cross goalwards, Forsyth scrambling away the loose ball, in what was the closest either team came to scoring in a half of few clearcut chances. The second half followed the same pattern as the first, though Albion began to create more in midfield, they couldn't find a way through the 'Dale defence, despite now having a blustery wind to their advantage. Mark Blount's glancing header sailed over the crossbar on 65 minutes, and as a sudden torrential downpour sent fans scurrying for cover, the conditions for a classic Cup upset seemed to be emerging. And just when the script seemed to have written in Darren Stride as Albion's Cup hero once again, and with just three minutes left on the clock, the Brewers captain blasted the best of precious few clear shooting chances wastefully wide. At the other end Platt spurned a scoring opportunity for Rochdale, but Albion weathered a late series of corners to earn themselves a worthy draw, and a second bite at the cherry a week on Tuesday.
With Rochdale's home record
considerably less impressive than their away - only one win at Spotlands
all season - this tie is far from over yet. The winners travel to either
Wrexham or Kettering Town in Round Two.
Friday 29th October 1999 Brewers seek Cup tonic The biggest crowd at Eton Park for more than ten years is expected tomorrow (Saturday) when Third Division Rochdale are in town for the FA Cup First Round clash at Eton Park (3pm). The match offers the Brewers their first crack at league opposition since the epic 4-3 defeat at Bradford City four years ago, and will be the first time Eton Park has hosted a game in the First Round proper since the visit of York City way back in 1987-88. Supporters are being advised to get to the ground early to avoid congestion, though the match is not all ticket. The last of the few remaining seat tickets were sold on Wednesday evening. Meanwhile, contrary to Chairman Ben Robinson's comments on Saturday, it now looks as though a degree of segregation will be enforced. According to Thursday's Burton Mail, fans will not be allowed to change ends at half time, though it says there will be "no formal segregation". Rochdale fans are being asked to use turnstiles X, Y and Z - to enter at the Eton Road end of the ground via Eton Park recreation ground. The Albion Suite inside the ground will be open to supporters, but is likely to be packed out from a long time before kick-off, and the Football Tavern on the car park is of course open as well. Meanwhile overflow car parking is available at Pirelli Sports and Social Club, on Derby Road. Thursday 28th October 1999 Tigers end unbeaten run The watching Rochdale spies saw only a fleeting glimpse of the form Albion are capable of reaching, as the Brewers' 16-match unbeaten run came to an end at Gloucester City on Tuesday evening. Gloucester, in financial turmoil off the pitch, and in need of points on it, emerged the stronger side in a game played out before sparsely populated terraces at Meadow Park. From the outset Gloucester looked more together as a unit, and with just ten minutes on the clock, were in front. Nick Goodwin couldn't hold a free-kick from City captain Gary Thorne, and Jimmy Cox was on hand to convert the loose ball. The home side came close to adding a second through Mike Wyatt's long range shot, before a goal against the run of play sparked Albion into a brief spell of dominance, in which it looked like the Brewers would run away with the match. The goal was the one we've been waiting all season to see - a free-kick from Nigel Clough, curled out of reach of 'keeper Ryan Gannaway from the edge of the box. For the next 6-7 minutes Albion were virtually camped inside the Gloucester area. Darren Stride saw a shot cleared off the line by Gannaway, who also tipped over an effort from David Holmes. Anton Thomas failed to convert from close range, and the Brewers had a penalty appeal for handball turned down, but the interval arrived with the game level. Gloucester regained control of the game, helped by the Brewers' tendency to concede possession, and had the better chances in the second half, Matt Rose coming closest, almost converting Wyatt's cross and the home side had a couple of penalty shouts themselves. However, with a quarter of an hour remaining, they came agonizingly close to snatching all three points, only to finish with none. David Holmes' cross in was met by a thumping header from Darren Stride which riccocheted off the crossbar, Gloucester broke to the other end, Wyatt's ball in found Cox on the edge of the box, and the promising young striker fired home his and Gloucester's second of the night, to secure all three points, and inflict the Brewers' first defeat since the opening day at Bath. It had to end sometime, and if it's another two months before our next defeat we can't have too many complaints (especially as that would mean we'd be in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup!) Roll on Saturday, and a bit of the old Cup magic to spark some life back into the side.
Tuesday 26th October 1999 Brewers aim for the top Albion can claim the Dr. Martens League top spot - for 24 hours at least - if they beat Gloucester City at Meadow Park tonight (Tuesday). The Brewers lifted themselves into second place with Saturday's 1-0 victory over basement side Grantham Town, capitalizing on the drawn game between the top two sides - Boston and Bath - at York Street on Saturday. Boston don't play until tomorrow (Wednesday). Nigel Clough will aim to concentrate his player's minds on picking up vital points, with Saturday's big FA Cup First Round clash against Rochdale looming. The remaining seat tickets for that match go on sale tomorrow evening (Wednesday), between 7-9pm in the Terry Chapman Suite inside the Football Tavern at Eton Park. Meanwhile Brewers Chairman Ben Robinson revealed on Saturday that, as well as not being all-ticket, supporters at Saturday's game will not be segregated, allowing the full capacity - 4,700 - to be reached, with Rochdale having taken their full allocation of 1,000 tickets. Terrace entry is by payment at the turnstile only, priced £7 for adults and £4 for concessions - the minimum which can be charged according to FA rules. Another 1,000 plus crowd was in attendance on Saturday, a year to the day since Nigel Clough was appointed manager. Ironically the opposition on Saturday was the same as for Clough's first game in charge, but if a walkover was expected against the Dr. Martens League whipping boys, it didn't materialise. Cash strapped Grantham have picked up just one Dr. Martens League point all season, but two hard-fought FA Cup games against Woking took their toll on a lacklustre Albion team. Clough took the stresses and strains of those games into account by resting new signing Michael Forsyth - thrust back into competetive action this past week after several months without a game, and illness meant that Mark Blount missed his first game for nearly a year - the last time he was absent was the league game against Grantham last November. Danny George and Terry Henshaw returned to take their place at the centre of defence. The visitors, meanwhile, included Jimmy Neil - a loan player at Burton last season - in their starting line-up. It was the Lincolnshire side who had the earliest chance - Darren Bogan heading wide from a corner, then on 22 minutes Tim Wilkes shot wastefully straight at Goodwin after a mistake by Neil Glasser - playing against his former team-mates. Dale Anderson as usual looked the most likely to score for Albion - denied twice by Grantham 'keeper Nower in the later stages of the first half, but it wasn't until eight minutes after the interval that the breakthrough finally came, Nigel Clough playing Anton Thomas into the area, with the Brewers number 9 sneaking a shot into the corner of the net after initially seeming to have lost control of the ball. From then on the game meandered along to the same pattern, with an unfamiliar Albion defence - Alan Davies having been replaced by Craig Smith at half-time, with Terry Henshaw filling in at right back - coping comfortably with what little threat Grantham posed. The Brewers could have added to their tally - Danny George headed over from Clough's cross on 76 minutes, and Pat Lyons - on as substitute for David Holmes - almost curled a cheeky free-kick under the bar. In the end though, the result was more important than the performance. A year on since the arrival of Clough, the league table, the rising attendances and the general air of optimism about Eton Park tell their own story. And supporters will have been pleased to read comments by the Brewers boss in Saturday's Burton Mail, dampening the most recent speculation that he is about to depart to take on a job at a Football League club. "We simply do not think about it," said Clough, "not even when a job down the road at Notts County becomes available... All we are looking for is to get Burton into the Conference or, at the very least, to come as close as we can to winning the Dr. Martens League. If something happens in the future it will be because of what we have acheived at Burton - not because of a surname."
Tuesday 19th October 1999 Bring on Rochdale! The Brewers booked their place in the FA Cup First Round Proper with a 3-1 extra-time defeat of Woking in a pulsating Cup tie in front of a 2,000 plus crowd at Eton Park tonight. Albion win through to take on Third Division Rochdale at Eton Park a week on Saturday, as Nigel Clough's team continue to progress on all fronts, in the process heaping more gloom on under-pressure Woking manager Brian McDermott. It was a game which had everything you could ask for - goals, drama and excitement, with an evenly balanced tie tilting the Brewers way in a second half in which the Conference side missed a penalty and had a player sent off. The Brewers started brightly, passing the ball around in the manner which has become their trademark under Clough, and with 13 minutes on the clock the Cards defence was breached, Anton Thomas picking up Darren Stride's through ball, and producing a determined run and powerful finish - in off visiting keeper Flahavan - which matched that of the Brewers captain in Saturday's game. Perhaps guilty of defending too deep after going ahead, the Brewers looked to have done enough to preserve their lead to the interval, when Phil Gridelet's free-kick was helped on by Payne, and Darren Hay saw his shot take a deflection off the defender and past the helpless Nick Goodwin in the Burton goal. The second half was a largely frustrating experience, as Albion huffed and puffed, but couldn't find a way through a resolute Woking defence showing their Conference pedigree. And the tie looked to be slipping away when on 56 minutes Grant Payne went down under the challenge of Blount - and the referee awarded a penalty. Hay, however, spurned the chance to score his second of the night, blasting his spot kick way over, into the roof of the Derby Road end stand. Worse was to come for Woking, when Peter Smith was red-carded for his second bookable offence, and after weathering some late pressure from the ten men, the Brewers were always going to be favourites to come out on top, as an epic tie rolled over into extra time. Albion began to exploit the extra space, and to spray the ball around with a confidence not seen since the early stages of the game. Still the visitors defence held firm, and the Brewers best chance was always likely to come from a setpiece. And come it did, in the last minute of first half extra-time - David Holmes whipped in a corner, and Mark Blount arrived in the six-yard box to crash home a header and send the home fans into raptures. The game was up now, and as Woking began to push forward more men in search of an equalizer, the Brewers looked even more threatening on the counter-attack. As the clock ticked down, from a Burton breakaway Woking could only clear as far as Stride, substitute Craig Smith set up Dale Anderson to race home and score the third, and a rousing cup tie victory was complete.
Monday 18th October 1999 Brewers hold the Cards A home tie against Third Division high flyers Rochdale is the bait after Albion returned from Surrey with a draw from Saturday's FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round tie at Woking. Albion proved more than a match for their Conference hosts, and had enough chances to win the game. Instead Nigel Clough's team must finish the job in Tuesday night's Eton Park replay (Kick-Off 7.45pm), to give the Brewers a crack at Football League opposition for the first time since the amazing 4-3 defeat at Bradford City four years ago. Darren Stride, the man who scored two of the goals at Valley Parade that day, proved himself once again the Cup specialist, powering the Brewers back into the game after a slip-up by Alan Davies had given Woking an undeserved lead. Davies himself started the move, Anton Thomas provided the flick on and Stride charged into the area before crashing the ball past home keeper Flahavan. Soon after, the Brewers should have had the game sown up when Dale Anderson played a ball in across the face of goal, only for Thomas to miscue with the net gaping before him. It was one of several chances Albion had to clinch a famous victory. The earliest came after just four minutes when veteran defender Michael Forsyth - a surprise inclusion in the starting line-up in place of Danny George - almost made a dream start on his Burton debut - watching his header from Holmes's cross cleared off the line. Darren Stride also came close with a header, and Nigel Clough fired wastefully wide, in a first half dominated by the Brewers. Woking looked more dangerous with the introduction of substitute Scott Steele at half time, but it was hardly a fair reflection of the game when Woking went in front on 57 minutes. Alan Davies lost possession, and the ball was fed through for Darran Hay to fire home from a position which looked suspiciously like offside. Undaunted by this setback, the Brewers responded with guts and determination, attacking towards their supporters in the towering Leslie Gosden Stand - surely the best view in non-league football? Yet after Thomas's wasted chance there were still nervous moments for the travelling fans, with Nick Goodwin once again being called into action to make virtually his only save of the game - denying Perkins seven minutes from time.
Friday 15th October 1999 Cup games keep coming Albion travel to Surrey tomorrow (Saturday) hoping to extend their unbeaten run to 14 games, and to continue progress on all fronts after Tuesday's FA Trophy replay win at Trafford. The Brewers face Nationwide Conference side Woking - renowned for their Cup exploits in the past but currently struggling in the Conference relegation zone, having only won once at home so far this season. Managed by former Arsenal player Brian McDermott, Woking have struggled since the departure two years ago, in controversial circumstances, of talismanic manager Geoff Chapple - who has since gone on to win the Isthmian League and FA Trophy in successive seasons with Kingstonian. The Brewers returned from Manchester with injury doubts to defenders Jamie March - who didn't play in the Trophy replay, and Danny George, who limped off midway through the second half. Striker Anton Thomas has served the three-match suspension he picked up after being sent-off against Boston last month, but was another absentee on Tuesday, suffering from a virus. His lack of match fitness may deny him a place in the starting line-up at Kingfield, not having played since the 1-1 draw with Newport County - five weeks ago. Travelling with the team to Trafford on Tuesday was former Derby County captain Michael Forsyth - who has signed for the club in the hope of resurrecting his career in Nigel Clough's team. 32-year old defender Forsyth, who has also played for West Bromwich Albion, Notts County and more recently Wycombe Wanderers, has not played competetively since leaving the Adams Park club in the Summer. Route to Woking: Follow the A444 to the junction with the M42. Go down the M42 to the junction with the M40. Take the M40 south towards London until you reach the M25. Head in a southerly direction down the M25 until you reach Junction 11 (Chertsey). It has a Harvester restaurant on the left) . Go straight on. Keep going and after a few miles (about 3) you will get to another roundabout (known as 6 crossroads). Take the third exit into Woking (still the A320), at the next roundabout you are in Woking take the second exit onto the dual carriageway. After the second set of lights the road will split into more lanes, try and keep in the middle, but stay on this road. After the next set of lights, the road goes back into 2 lanes; you must be in the right hand lane by the time you get to the bridge as the road splits just after the bridge. Take the right hand lane past the police station, as you head along the road you will see the pub "The Litten Tree". Keep to the right past the pub. At the next sharp bend to the right, turn left into Claremont Ave. (if you miss the turning don't worry as you will get to a roundabout and you can just go back and retrace your steps), at the end of Claremont Ave turn left and you are at the ground. Parking is available via either street parking or at the leisure centre, which is situated opposite the ground. Distance: 147 miles, Estd travelling time: 2 h 40 min. Drive safely! Friday 15th October 1999 Albion Stride into next round The Brewers booked their passage into the FA Trophy Second Round - and a trip to Bamber Bridge - with an improved performance against Trafford at Shawe View on Tuesday evening. Nigel Clough this time chose to name himself and Dale Anderson in the starting line-up, with the absence of Jamie March (injured) and scorer in the first game Craig Smith (work commitments) the other changes from Saturday's Eton Park clash. This time Albion wasted no time in turning their dominance in possession into goals, and found themselves two up within 25 minutes. The first came when David Holmes' cross into the box was turned into his own goal by Trafford's Steve Burns. Ten minutes later Darren Stride struck home from 20 yards to give the Brewers a comfortable cushion. They could have extended their lead, were it not for more fine goalkeeping from home 'keeper Jim O'Donnell - undisputed man of the tie over the two games, and just when a comfortable passage looked assured, Danny George's misplaced pass resulted in a break for Trafford, with Chris Simms firing home past Goodwin, to give the UniBond Division One team renewed hope of an upset. In the event, the lapse proved little more than a blip, as the Brewers - with Dale Anderson running rings around the Trafford defence, continued to cause problems. It was he who made the clinching goal, running down the right and setting up Darren Stride to power home in the six-yard box, to finally kill off the Trafford's brave resistance.
Tuesday 12th October 1999 Unwelcome replay as Brewers held Albion failed to overcome their UniBond Division One opponents Trafford on Saturday, despite dominating this the opening match in their FA Trophy campaign, and face a trip to Manchester tonight (Tuesday) - just what manager Nigel Clough didn't need ahead of Saturday's FA Cup trip to Woking. The Brewers won 22 corners in the game, but lacked the cutting edge required to see off their Mancunian visitors as the absence of striker Dale Anderson, along with that of mercurial player-manager Nigel Clough - both were rested for this game - took it's toll. Trafford also had goalkeeper Jim O'Donnell to thank for keeping them in the game in the wake of a first half onslaught which saw Terry Henshaw, David Holmes and Mark Blount all come close to scoring. Trafford also had goalkeeper Jim O'Donnell to thank for keeping them in the game in the wake of a first half onslaught which saw Terry Henshaw, David Holmes and Mark Blount all come close to scoring. An upset looked on the cards when Tom Murray broke away to give the visitors the lead on 68 minutes, following a misplaced pass by Pat Lyons, but two minutes -and a double substitution later - Albion were level. The arrival of Clough and Anderson as substitutes had an immediate effect as Albion pushed forward with renewed purpose. The duo combined to win a corner, Mark Blount headed it down, and Craig Smith - reprising his centre back's role of last season for this game- proved he still had his shooting boots on by firing home from close range. Terry Henshaw came closest to scoring in the resulting onslaught as his header riccocheted back off the crossbar, but still the Brewers could not find the killer punch which would give them a welcome break in midweek. The winners of Tuesday's replay travel to Bamber Bridge in the next round, with Albion having the chance to face a team with whom they enjoyed an epic Trophy tie three seasons ago. On that occasion the Brewers came from 3-0 down to draw 3-3, and won the replay in Lancashire 3-2.
Tuesday 5th October 1999 Daggers put to the sword The Brewers booked their passage into the FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round with a convincing victory over Ryman League leaders Dagenham& Redbridge at Victoria Road on Saturday. The result - which brings to an end the Daggers' 100 percent home record on home turf this season - means Albion travel to Conference side Woking a week on Saturday, with a place in the First Round Proper at stake. On Saturday's evidence Woking have much to fear, as the Brewers - resolute in defence and dangerous on the counter - proved more than capable of holding their own against form teams on their own territory. The Brewers had an ideal start when Daggers defender Tim Cole headed into his own net with just six minutes on the stadium clock, and they could have increased the defecit by half time as the build up and crossing of David Holmes and the tireless running of Dale Anderson had the home side rocking. It was that pair who were involved in the other major talking point of the first half when Anderson's goal-bound run into the box from Clough's pass was ended by a clumsy challenge from Paul Newell. The Daggers keeper escaped with a yellow card, and was let off the hook again when David Holmes fired his penalty wide of Newell's right hand post. But the Brewers would not be made to pay for this missed opportunity, and on 59 minutes a goal created by Holmes and converted by Anderson had secured the win for Albion - Holmes' floated cross in from the left hung perfectly in the air for the young striker to head home. Dagenham had no choice but to push forward, and in the words of the local radio commentator "threw everything but the kitchen sink at Burton", but could not find their way through an impenetrable Albion defence. Keeper Nick Goodwin - playing in his 450th game in a Brewers shirt - marked that landmark with another superb reflex save from Paul Cobb late on, and a famous victory for Nigel Clough's team was assured. So the bandwagon rolls on to Surrey on 16th October, and there's more cup action before then when UniBond Division One side Trafford provide the opposition at Eton Park on Saturday, as the Brewers' FA Umbro Trophy campaign gets underway.
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