Matches

SHOW ME THE WAY TO ASTON VILLA by Carol Smith-Allen

We're on our way to Villa! Grays players celebrate an historic achievement. Photo: tgsphoto.co.uk

After their five nil thrashing by Grays last Saturday a recovery by Nigel Clough’s Burton never really looked on the cards, making the return leg at Eton Park yesterday a formality for Blues. Although Brewers showed a bit more grit and determination on home turf than they had at the New Rec it still wasn’t enough to stop Grays emerging victors, this time winning by two goals to nil bringing the aggregate to seven.

Before both teams got down to the serious stuff, Billy Brewer the Burton mascot was having some fun with the Grays substitutes challenging them to a shoot-out. Easy for Carthy and Griffiths not so easy for West and McLean, although West did manage to put the ball past the comical mascot at the fourth attempt, and despite McLean taking his frustration out on the character he took it in good spirit giving the striker a big hug!!

For the home side who were forced into making three changes to their side due to injuries, (Michael Briscoe replacing Ryan Austin in defence and Chris Hall and Graham Ward playing in midfield instead of Craig Dudley and Andy Ducros) to have had any chance of making a comeback it was imperative that they got at least one and preferably two early goals. However, their hopes were quickly dashed when with only two minutes played Grays took the lead. Dean Brennan’s free kick from just inside the half way line was floated into the box, where upon Tony Battersby rose above Miller to head the ball down, and although Daniel Crane attempted to gather, the ball somehow slipped through the keeper’s arms and into the net.

Tony Battersby, provider of Grays' first goal, wins an aerial battle. Photo: tgsphoto.co.uk

Blues came close to getting a second seven minutes later when Gary Hooper made a great run through the middle to set up Dennis Oli, but the striker was denied by Crane who dived low to his right, and at the other end Ashley Bayes made a save of similar proportions from a close range shot by Dale Anderson, who had managed to shake off Jamie Stuart.

Another Burton move involving Darren Stride and Sam Shilton, son of ex-England keeper Peter again ended with Anderson, but this time the striker sent his effort across the goal face.

Mitchell Cole has a shot charged down. Photo: tgsphoto.co.uk

The match then went into a bit of a lull, but became revitalised around the half an hour mark at which point Skipper Stuart Thurgood running the show for Grays in midfield, dispossessed Anderson but saw Crane palm his twenty-five yard drive around the post for a corner.

The Blues fans not known for their compassion were taunting the Burton supporters with ‘can we play you every week?’, and to add to the spirit of things substitutes Griffiths and Bruce both exhibiting natural rhythm joined in with a dance in front of the dug-outs. In fact, as will be revealed in the second half at times there was more entertainment taking place off the pitch than on it!

As the first period drew to a close, Grays applied concerted pressure and with just a minute left on the clock Thurgood was thwarted by Crane, although John Nutter almost intercepted the ball but the keeper just got his hands to it first.

With Burton having nothing to play for other than to try and keep the score at a respectable level, Grays having secured the tie, the second half was rather uneventful with very little goalmouth action.

Although play was end to end it took until the 59th minute for the first real scoring opportunity to occur. Inept defending by Aaron Webster allowed Battersby to cross the ball into the box for Oli, but Miller slid in with a timely challenge to concede the corner. From the dead ball kick Briscoe blocked Hooper’s close range effort.

The Blues fans already in full flow with their version on Tony Christie’s Show Me The Way To ‘Aston Villa’, were spurred on further by some hip swinging movements from Bayes.

Grays 'keeper Ashley Bayes leaps to make a catch surrounded by Burton attackers. Photo: tgsphoto.co.uk

Burton then made their second substitution bringing on Glenn Kirkwood for Jon Shaw, having already replaced Shilton with Laurie Wilson. At the same time Grays made their first change bringing on leading goal scorer Griffiths for Oli, and just seven minutes later he notched up his 26th goal of the season; Briscoe let Brennan’s long ball bounce allowing the Blues striker to pick his spot and send a low twelve yard shot past the advancing Crane.

Grays then made their second substitution replacing the dependable Battersby with local ‘lad’ Steve West.

It’s virtually impossible to describe the atmosphere created by the Blues contingent behind Bayes’ goal – pulsating, rocking and absolutely buzzing probably come closest, and just when it seemed spirits could not go any higher the Grays keeper turned, faced the crowd and proceeded to conduct the orchestra sending the noise level up another ten decibels. More bottom wiggling followed from Bayes (can’t help thinking he’s had dance lessons), and then the Grays faithful paid tribute to their ‘icon’ Manager Mark Stimson together with Championship hero Martin Carthy, and both showed their appreciation much to the fans delight. These euphoric scenes must have been difficult to watch for the Burton supporters.

Very little else happened on the pitch with the exception of Ashley’s antics of course, apart from a Wilson free kick going wide of the near post, and then minutes later the midfielder blasted over the bar from eighteen yards.

Grays boss Mark Stimson conducts a noisy away crowd. Photo: tgsphoto.co.uk

As the final whistle was blown by Referee Mr. Wright the noise from the Grays end reached a crescendo, whereas the home section of the ground was deathly silent. Mark Stimson’s men huddled in the centre of the pitch for a celebratory hug, champagne spraying everywhere, and then raced down the field to share their elation with the travelling Blues supporters, four busy photographers in toe! The players then posed for a team photograph before bundling each other to the ground. When they did return to their feet their exuberance was evident, with Jamie Stuart giving Thurgood a piggy back, and Brennan and Nutter dancing with joy. Then to top off the grand finale Stimmo, Griffiths, Bayes and Oli took turns to celebrate with the fans fortunate to be a the front of the crowd, whilst the rest of the fans continued to belt out vocal tributes.

Villa Park awaits………………....................

Stimmo chats with Grays fans. Photo: tgsphoto.co.uk

Teams:-
Burton Albion:- Crane, Webster, Stride, Anderson, Shilton, Hall, Corbett, Shaw, Miller, Briscoe, Ward Subs:- Henshaw (87 mins for Anderson), Kirkwood (66 mins for Shaw), Wilson (46 mins for Shilton), Taylor, Clough
Grays Athletic:- Bayes, Brennan, Nutter, Stuart, Matthews, Thurgood (c), Oli, Hooper, Battersby, Martin, Cole Subs:- West (76 mins for Battersby), Emberson, Griffiths (66 mins for Oli), Bruce, Carthy (87 mins for Hooper)

Referee:- K. Wright

Attendance:- 1162

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