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| November '99 News and Reports |
| Date | Story | Type |
| 21-11-99 | "Bridge falls again" | Report: Bamber Bridge (a) |
| 21-11-99 | "Albion grind out result" | Report: Clevedeon/ Bedworth (h) |
| 16-11-99 | "Slaughter on South Coast" | Report: Havant & W (a) |
| 11-11-99 | "Dream ends at 'Dale" | Report: Rochdale (a) |
| 8-11-99 | "Brewers on Cup mission" | Rochdale preview/ Atherstone |
| 6-11-99 | "Fireworks fly as Adders boss sees red" | Report: Atherstone (h) |
Sunday 28th November 1999 Bridge falls again FA Trophy Round Two - Bamber Bridge 0 Albion 2 The Brewers knocked Bamber Bridge out of the FA Trophy for the third time in five years, as they marched into Round Three with a 2-0 victory at Irongate on Saturday. It might not have produced as many goals as recent encounters between the two sides, but this was a comfortable result for the Brewers who produced an assured performance to warm the hearts of their fans shivering in the chilly Lancashire afternoon. Anton Thomas was again left out of the starting line-up, but returned to the squad as one of the five substitutes. David Holmes also remained on the sidelines, as the much maligned Andy Garner and Pat Lyons turned out performances which indicated they would quite like to hang on to their first team place after all. The earliest chance of the game fell to Garner, his header sailing just wide of the post from Alan Davies' cross. The UniBond Premier League side, who only narrowly exited the FA Cup to Second Division Cambridge United last week, soon showed an indication of their attacking potential when striker Williams' overhead kick clipped the woodwork. But this was to prove a rare scoring chance for Bridge, as Albion defended well, and looked dangerous coming forward. The breakthrough came on 13 minutes, the tigerish Neil Glasser winning two challenges in midfield before setting up Andy Garner on the edge of the area. Garner played Darren Stride into the box and the Brewers skipper made space for himself before rolling the ball inside 'keeper Dootson's right hand post. The Brewers continued to look threatening, Andy Garner almost converting Davies' cross at the near post, and Pat Lyons showing strength and determination with a run and shot which flew just over the bar. It didn't take long after half time for Albion to bother the Bridge defence once more, first Lyons and then Alan Davies testing Dootson, the latter with a tremendous drive tipped over by the home 'keeper, after a sweeping move from midfield. Mark Blount headed the resultant corner just over. Ten minutes into the second half, it was 2-0, as the Brewers capitalised on a slip-up by Bridge defender Brown, guarding the near post. Pat Lyons' corner should have been easily cleared but Brown kicked at thin air, the ball arriving at the feet of Dale Anderson on the line, for the easiest goal he'll score all season. Having built this cushion, Nigel Clough felt able to rest some of his top performers, the inspirational captain Stride and scorer of the second Anderson making way for Anton Thomas and David Holmes. Neither of these two showed too much to advance their cause, with Thomas recklessly picking up a yellow card for kicking the ball away. The game entered a bit of a rut at this stage, with Albion happy to sit back and defend their lead. The back four looked solid, as did Nick Goodwin on the few occasions he was tested, and Bridge were restricted to long-range shots which troubled the corner flag more than they did Goodwin's goal.
All in all, an
encouraging performance ahead of next week's crunch top of the table clash
with Boston United. Albion know that a trip to York Street and a possible
2,000+ crowd will provide a much more daunting task than this visit to the
homely surroundings of Bamber Bridge, but recent results show the Pilgrims
are not invincible. They lead Albion by nine points, but have played three
games more. Could be a bit interesting.....
Sunday 21st November 1999 Albion 'grind out' result Dr. Martens League - Albion 1 Clevedon 0 A week on from 'that' match, Albion earned a narrow 1-0 victory over Clevedon Town in a game where the result was more important than the performance. Pat Lyons curled in the only goal in a contest of very few chances, 17 minutes from time - his third goal of the week after notching two against Bedworth in midweek (see below). Lyons told Centre FM afterthe game: "It was a tough game for us, but we needed the points and we ground a result out...The gaffer said at half-time if you can't (win) just keep it 0-0. But fortunately we nicked it with 15 minutes to go. It's a great result for us." The other major talking point of the day was Nigel Clough's choice of starting line-up, the Brewers boss apparently showing signs of 'getting tough' by dropping striker Anton Thomas from the starting line-up. Thomas has come in for criticism recently over his lack of workrate - the sight of him being substituted midway through the second half has been a common one for Brewers supporters, and Clough's patience with his summer signing from Nuneaton seems to have run out. Meanwhile, according to speculation in Friday's Burton Mail, Clough could be turning his attention to Manor Park once again in his hunt for a striker. The report suggests that Clough will complete a deal with Boro' - who hit the top of the Nationwide Conference after their 1-1 draw with Telford on Saturday - to bring a loan signing to Eton Park, with strikers Joe O'Connor and Robbie Straw mentioned as possible targets. Andy Garner started in place of Thomas against Clevedon, after scoring the opening goal in Tuesday night's 4-3 extra-time win against Bedworth United in the Dr. Martens League Cup. Pat Lyons also got two goals but efforts from Robbie Beard (2) and Jai Stanley meant the game went into extra-time, with the Brewers under-fire 'keeper Nick Goodwin coming in for more criticism over the first goal in particular. Craig Smith settled the tie in the first minute of extra-time. It's cup action of a more important kind on Saturday as the Brewers hit the M6 once again to visit Bamber Bridge in the FA Umbro Trophy Second Round. The UniBond League side have developed something of a reputation as a cup side in recent years, and only exited the FA Cup on Saturday, losing 1-0 at Cambridge United. However, the Lancs side are struggling in the UniBond Premier, and the Brewers have a good recent record against them, having twice knocked them out of the Trophy in recent seasons, and hammered them 5-0 at Eton Park a year ago at the same stage of the competition. Tuesday 16th November 1999 Slaughter on the South coast Dr. Martens League: Havant & Waterlooville 6 Albion 0 Nigel Clough had harsh words for his back-four, after the Brewers crashed to their worst defeat for nearly 30 years at Havant & Waterlooville on Saturday. On the day that Boston United opened up an eight point gap at the top of the Dr. Martens League, Albion saw their own title credentials suffer a severe setback as they blew the chance to move into second place in spectacular fashion. The game at Westleigh Park kicked off at 5.30 to avoid a clash with the televised Scotland - England game at Hampden, and by quarter to six the Brewers were already two goals down. Timmy Hambley opened the scoring for Havant after just six minutes, firing home from 12 yards after a suspicion of a push on Mark Blount. On 15 minutes it was 2-0, as Jamie March's clearance landed straight at the feet of James Taylor, the division's top goalscorer, who was allowed time and space to shoot past Goodwin. And when Matt Jones bundled the ball over the line on the stroke of half-time, "the game was as good as over", as Clough put it later. But the humiliation had barely started for the Brewers. Taylor added his second from a header less than two minutes after the restart, Nicky Wyatt converted Cook's cross on 74 minutes, and Paul Wood chipped Goodwin on 82 minutes to complete Albion's worst defeat since a 10-0 hammering by Barnet way back in the 1969-70 season. Nigel Clough had no doubts about where the blame lay for a nightmare evening for his team on the South coast: "The only difference between us and Havant was the defences," he told the Burton Mail, "Our back four was totally and utterly to blame for the defeat... To come here with the chance to go second..and then to lose by six goals was not just disappointing it was almost beyond belief."
Clough also gave
a hint that supporters' wish for a new striker may come to fruition. "We've
been asking our scout to find us a striker," he said, "but after a performance
like that you wonder whether we shouldn't be looking at the other end of
the pitch." The Brewers are back in action tonight (Tuesday),
when Bedworth United provide the opposition at Eton Park in the First
Round of the Dr. Martens League Cup
(7.30pm).
Thursday 11th November 1999 Dream ends at 'Dale FA Cup 1st Round - Rochdale 3 Albion 0 Rochdale's seven-game, 693-minute goal drought finally ended at Spotland on Tuesday night, and the Brewers were drowned in the flood. In fact, the 3-0 result was slightly flattering on the Football League side, this was in the end a fairly comfortable victory for them, but by no means a thrashing. Albion, while battling hard throughout and outplaying their more illustrious opponents for a spell towards the end of the first period, were undone by two daft goals conceded at crucial times of the game. The Brewers were always going to be chasing the game from the moment Clive Platt fired the home side in front, with just five minutes on the clock. Nick Goodwin, under pressure from the advancing Keith Hill, failed to get hold of Graeme Atkinson's ball into the box, Michael Forsyth was forced to make a goalline clearance in the resulting goalmouth scramble, but the 'Dale striker was on hand to lash the ball home. Albion were looking extremely shaky in these early stages, but as the half progressed began to find their rhythm, and to threaten the Rochdale goal more than in either this or the first game. The closest they came to drawing level was on 34 minutes when Neil Glasser's spectacular overhead kick from March's cross deflected off the head of Anderson, only for 'Dale 'keeper Edwards to tip the ball over the bar. The chances were coming thick and fast now, Holmes failed to finish one of his more penetrating runs, Darren Stride had a header blocked, and Anton Thomas had a clear sight of goal but fired wastefully wide. If any of these had gone in, then who knows what might have happened? As it was, the game was over as a contest within two minutes of the restart, when a hopeful 25-yard shot from Jason Peake took an awkward bounce in front of Nick Goodwin, bouncing over the despairing Brewers 'keeper and into the net. Albion continued to battle, urged on vociferously by their several hundred travelling supporters, though both players and fans alike persisted now more in blind hope than expectation. A torrid night for the usually flawless Goodwin almost got even worse when he raced out of his area to bring down Michael Holt. Luckily the referee ignored the appeals of the home fans and didn't send him off. With nine minutes left the relief of the home fans - who'd waited since August for either a home victory or even a goal - was complete when substitute Julian Dowe controlled the ball well and fired home a fantastic shot from 25 yards out - easily the best goal of the night. And that was that, an ovation for the Brewers for their efforts, and a thankfully trouble-free exit from Spotland.
So the Cup run
is over, and in the best traditions of the game "it's time to concentrate
on the league", and in stark contrast to Tuesday's game, a long trip to the
South Coast on Saturday to lowly Havant & Waterlooville. It's
true what the man says, three league points are infinitely more important
than any Cup result in the long run, and let's hope the Brewers can put Tuesday's
disappointment behind them, and keep the pressure on Boston and Bath by
scoring a favourable result at Westleigh Park. Remember the match has been
moved to a 5.30pm kick-off to avoid a clash with the big Scotland-England
game at Hampden.
Monday 8th November 1999 Brewers on Cup mission The Brewers go on the road again tomorrow (Tuesday), when Nigel Clough's team head up the M6 seeking FA Cup glory in the First Round Replay against Rochdale at Spotland. The Division Three side's poor run of form continued on Saturday with a 1-0 defeat at Torquay United. 'Dale have failed to find the net in more than seven games, and Steve Parkin's team have won only one game at home all season. Nigel Clough said last week that he believed Rochdale's goal drought could work in Albion's advatage: "Some people might take the view that Rochdale have to get a goal sooner rather than later...(but) the longer that sort of run continues the more the confidence of the team suffers, especially at home as we know from our own experience last season." Clough continued: "The longer we can keep it at 0-0 the more anxious the fans become and eventually that transmits to the players." However, despite their plumetting league position, there were signs of an improvement in form for Rochdale at Torquay on Saturday, and by all accounts they were unlucky not to keep a clean sheet, losing to a deflected goal off 'Dale's veteran player-coach Tony Ford, 20 minutes from time. A large Brewers contingent is expected to be present at Spotland, with several official and unofficial coaches making the trip. (Going by car? See the directions below). We can only hope the match stays trouble-free, after the incident at Eton Park following the first game. A number of visiting supporters were attacked on their way out of the ground, and Rochdale are to lodge an offficial complaint with Staffordshire Police over the affair. In what could be becoming a disturbing trend, there was trouble at Eton Park for the second week running during Saturday's match with Atherstone. Several of the small contingent of Adders supporters allege they were attacked in an incident which saw police called and resulted in three fans being barred from Eton Park for future games. Meanwhile, Albion secretary Tony Kirkland will not be pressing charges against Atherstone manager Ron Bradbury, after the fracas in the players tunnel following Bradbury's sending-off for abusive language. It is alleged that Bradbury attempted to 'headbut' Kirkland in an unprovoked assault, which seems to be corroborated by independent witnesses from both Burton and Atherstone. The Adders boss does express some regret over the incident, though not, apparently to Tony Kirkland. He's quoted in tonight's Burton Mail as saying: "I preach to my players all the time about discipline and I have to admit that in the heat of the moment I lost mine." However, Bradbury is apparently not sure if he's 'guilty' or not, saying: "Burton will no doubt say I made contact with their official but I'm not sure that I did." Referee Martin Dexter of Leicester is to report the incident to the FA, and Bradbury could face stern disciplinary measures. Rochdale info... Tuesday's game at Spotland has a 7.45pm kick-off, and Albion fans have been allocated the Wilbutts Lane terrace, (opposite the Main Stand). Entry at turnstiles 13-16 costs £8 (£4 for concessions). If you wish to sit down, you can use the Main Stand (use turnstile 1) for £10 (£5 concessions). Alternatively, the Family Stand (behind the far goal) admits adults for £8 and up to two juniors (under 16) for just a pound each. Parking is available at the club car park on Wilbutts Lane, or in the surrounding streets. The following directions to the ground and reccomened pubs come thanks to Col of the Alternative 'Dale site... Your route to Spotland... You will find Rochdale one of the easiest grounds to find, and also one of the friendliest. If you head up the M6 then take the M62. The M62 becomes the M60 at some point. You want to take the Rochdale/Oldham turn off (A627M). Take the Rochdale turn-off at the roundabout and follow the dual carriageway to another roundabout. Get in the left hand lane and this will take you straight onto the next dual carriageway which will bring you to another roundabout (with Tescos on the left). The ground is signposted from here, but dead easy to find anyway. Take the second exit. Follow the road (passing the sewage works on the right). You will arrive at a set of traffic lights with a pub called The Cemetery facing you. Go straight on at these lights and this is Sandy Lane. The ground is on the right hand side after about a minute. If take the first right past the ground into Wilbutts Lane, this will take you to the supporters car park, or you could chance the street parking. Reccomended pubs... The Cemetery, Bury Road - a real ale pub that you pass on the way to the ground. The Ratcliffe's Arms - on one corner of the ground, a JW Lees beer (unfortunately). The Church Inn, Wilbutts Lane, near to the away turnstiles. This is the pub favoured by the majority of away fans. Studds Bar - This is a bar situated inside the new WMG stand. All pubs are friendly and welcome away fans. Fireworks fly as Adders boss sees red Dr. Martens League - Albion 5 Atherstone United 1 Atherstone United manager Ron Bradbury is never short of an outspoken comment (remember his moan about the 'Burton media' describing his team as "has-beens and never will-be's"?) But the Adders boss surpassed himself at Eton Park on Saturday as what looked like being a typically dour battle against the Sheepy Road side ignited in true fireworks night fashion midway through the first half. With one of his players already having been sent-off, and his team having just gone 2-1 down, Bradbury was banished from the dug out for (allegedly) directing foul and abusive language at a linesman. But not being known to take things quietly, the Adders manager continued to resist attempts to usher him into the stand, and then - unbelievably - attempted to headbut an Albion club official who happened to be in the tunnel area. Allegedly. The fuse had been lit earlier in the half, when Atherstone, having just lost their one goal lead after all of three minutes, were reduced to ten men before they even had a chance to restart play, Jason Burnham shown the red card for his own blast of foul and abusive language at the other unfortunate linesman (wonder where he gets that from?). Luke Vincent had capitalised on poor Albion marking to put the visitors ahead on 18 minutes, with Anton Thomas finding a quick response for the Brewers, converting a flick-on from Holmes' corner. Two minutes later Mark Blount fired home his second goal of the season from a Clough free-kick. Cue Bradbury. The goals like the football had hardly been of the highest standard, Darren Stride scored the pick of the bunch on the stroke of half time, receiving a pass from the excellent Alan Davies, controlling well and firing home from 18 yards out, to give the Brewers a comfortable cushion. And just seconds after play resumed for the second half, it was 4-1. With the game having become almost a pantomime by this point, Adders defender Paul Olner and former Gloucester 'keeper Steve Mokler entered into the spirit of things, their hilarious mix-up on the edge of the box letting in Anton Thomas for an easy second goal of the game. Indeed, the good-natured Mokler proceeded to take on the role of pantomime dame, delaying his goal-kick run-ups to allow the home fans' playful jeers to reach a crescendo. But when you're 4-1 down, reduced to ten men and your manager has attempted a 'Glasgow kiss' on a passer-by what else can you do but laugh? Pretty soon it was 5-1, Dale Anderson taking advantage of more slapstick defending.
More entertainment was provided
by the sight of Ron Bradbury - who'd been keeping himself busy conducting
live radio interviews with Centre FM,
and pestering Brian Clough for an autograph - being
led from the main stand by a policeman to 'help them with their enquiries'.
As the Adders' defence regrouped to hold firm to sustained Burton pressure,
what must go down as the most entertaining match against Atherstone United
- ever - wound itself down to a more familiarly low-key final 15 minutes.
If the game at Rochdale on Tuesday provides half as much entertainment it
will be well worth the £8 entrance fee!
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