Matches

MATCH REPORT VS BURTON ALBION by Carol Smith-Allen

History was made for both clubs yesterday with Grays Athletic playing their first match in the Conference National, and Burton Albion making their league debut at their new ground The Pirelli Stadium.

Nigel Clough?s Albion a much improved side, were clearly looking to avenge the 7-0 thrashing they received at the hands of Blues last season in the FA Trophy semi-finals, and no doubt also wanted to get off to a good start at their new home. However, if the first half belonged to the Brewers, following a couple of decisive team changes and a show of fighting spirit the second period belonged to Grays, who emerged with a well-earned point.

The first ten minutes of play saw neither side create any chances, what it did see though was Andy Ducros limp off to be replaced by Albion Player/Manager Nigel Clough. The Blues fans, whose voices were already warmed up having begun with Manager Mark Stimson?s ?anthem? Be Loud and Be Proud, didn?t waste a moment and Cloughie was promptly treated to ?you haven?t changed your haircut for twenty years!!?

The Grays back-line then found theirselves very busy as the home side began to apply some pressure. First Jon Shaw headed wide from a free kick, and then Andy Todd gave a repeat performance having got on the end of Andy Corbett?s cross from the left flank.

In the 18th minute Shaw squandered a golden opportunity; a long ball from Aaron Webster evaded Lee Matthews, leaving Shaw one on one with Ashley Bayes, but the striker hesitated for far too long giving Matthews the time to get back and intercept his shot.

Blues continued to find theirselves under the cosh, but although being run a little ragged on this very soggy pitch following several torrential downpours, were able to weather the storm (no pun intended!!) Keith Gilroy rounded Andy Sambrook and crossed to Shaw, but John Nutter sporting his trademark headband, managed to scramble the ball to safety.

Just prior to the half an hour mark Grays began to find their feet. Some great one touch football from Glenn Poole and Dennis Oli set up Jamie Slabber, but Albion keeper Dan Crane saved at the striker?s feet. A minute later Slabber was incredibly unlucky not to open the scoring when oli slipped the ball through to him, but his shot across goal hit the inside of the far post and rather than bounce inwards the ball came out and sat static in what appeared to be a puddle of water.

As the half came to a close Albion forced a brilliant save from Bayes, who at full stretch instinctively moved the right way to parry Shaun Harrad?s powerful header; the midfielder having been set up by Gilroy.

The Brewers started the second half brightly, Gilroy firing wide after good work from Shaw. Then Slabber was adjudged to have handled in the area, and as a result Referee Mr. Richardson awarded the hosts a penalty. Webster who holds the accolade of Brewer?s penalty king promptly stepped up to take the spot kick. Despite Bayes diving in the right direction the defender despatched the ball high into the net, giving the Grays keeper no chance.

Almost immediately Slabber thought he had made amends, but his goal was disallowed for offside.

On fifty-three minutes Grays made their first substitution replacing Michael Kightly with Gary Hooper, and ten minutes later made a second change bringing on Tony Battersby for Slabber. In between Albion appealed for another penalty when Shaw collapsed like a deck of cards when challenged by Matthews, but Referee Richardson was having none of it and waved away all claims for a spot kick. The Blues fans sensing that the team needed a bit of extra encouragement being a goal down raised their noise level by a couple of decibels!!

With Battersby now up front and Oli out wide Blues began to dominate and probe the Albion defence. Nutter had two long range efforts, one going wide and the other straight at Crane, and Poole?s thirty-five yard free kick given because Gilroy had kicked the ball away, was punched away by the Brewer?s keeper.

In what was now a rare attack the home side went close when Shaw?s knock down allowed Harrad to despatch a fierce twenty yard strike but the midfielder was denied by the more than capable Bayes. Then, and not before time the equalizer arrived; Battersby rose to meet Stuart Thurgood?s cross at the back post and forcefully headed the ball home. The Blues fans all standing behind Crane?s goal were jubilant, jumping up and down with joy.

With the exception of a double attempt by Gilroy, the first of which Bayes punched away and the second he caught, it was all Blues. Oli proved to be influential down the right flank his pace causing Albion many problems, Hooper had a header palmed away by Crane, and Poole sent a close range right-footed shot straight at the Brewer?s keeper.

Right at the death good interplay by Sambrook and Poole set up Hooper but the midfielder blasted what was a difficult shot over the crossbar, and so Blues first match in the Conference National finished all square although they had come close to snatching a winner in the latter stages.

Teams:-
Burton Albion:- 1 Crane, 2 Henshaw, 3 Webster, 4 Corbett, 5 Tinson, 7 Stride, 9 Shaw (sub 85), 10 Ducros (sub 10), 11 Gilroy, 14 Harrad, 19 Todd (sub 61) Subs:- 6 Austin, 8 Anderson (on 85), 12 Hall (on 61), 15 Graves, 20 Clough (on 10)

Grays Athletic:- 1 Bayes, 2 Sambrook, 3 Nutter, 4 Stuart, 5 Matthews, 6 Thurgood, 7 Oli, 10 Martin, 14 Kightly (sub 53), 23 Poole, 25 Slabber (sub 63) Subs:- 8 Hooper (on 53), 9 Battersby (on 63), 15 Brennan, 16 Eyre, 18 Bruce

Referee:- Mr. D. Richardson (Halifax)

Assistants:- D. Coote, A. Lindsay

Attendance:- 1,654

The Supporters Man Of The Match:- Lee Matthews)

Forthcoming fixtures