So it was a big night at the Pirelli stadium as the men in amber arrived for a big test away to the Brewers of Burton Albion. It’s a modern stadium although a little industrial and concrete in appearance. The crowd for this vital match was about 3500, it would not be unfair to say that the noisy United fans made up half of the crowd. Burton are not such a well supported club but after a poor start had an excellent second half of the season. It was a pleasant evening but had the usual cold wind. Another feature of pre match was the groundsman’s love of watering the pitch, so much so, that I thought the Queen Victoria was going to sail by.
United playing in blue kicked off towards the home end. An unchanged team meant that influential defender Lloyd Jones was still missing. The U’s started well and roared on by great support took the game to the home team. Sam Smith fired in the first shot after good work from Harvey Knibbs but his effort was blocked. Smith of Burton had an effort charged down by united defenders as the home team looked to attack. Harvey Knibbs was crudely chopped down earning home defender Latty-Fairweather a yellow card. More good work from Knibbs set up Smith who rather snatched at his shot from near the penalty spot but fired wide, it was a decent chance. I regret to say at this stage the assistant on the main stand side and in front of hundreds of united fans missed several and I mean several, offside situations simply by being out of position, he was not operating to football league standard.
Following another foul Larry-Fairweather was quickly substituted by the home side replaced by Radcliffe. On 22 there was danger as Taylor of the home side burst into the penalty area, shot past Mitov but Dunk cleared off the line. However the much maligned assistant raised his flag for offside, better late than never. United fans shouted their jeers. Then from a long clearance from the home defence, the ball fell to Mark Helm, I’m afraid he eased by a couple of half hearted challenges before firing into the corner of the net for 1-0. It was a shock as the home side had not really pressed. We were guilty of our own downfall as a better tackle would have prevented the goal. United had been knocked out of their stride and were losing possession too easily. The home side enjoyed better possession and their physical approach won them plenty of 50-50 challenges. United had lost their way and had disappointed since the goal, still half time came at 1-0 to the home side.
United made two substitutions at half time Joe Ironside and George Thomas replacing Brophy and Lankaster. The U’s had an early let off as the dangerous Helm raced into the United area, Mitov mistimed his tackle and brought down the home striker. It looked a penalty but give Helm credit he got up but fired against the post. Then Burton players surrounded ineffective referee Andy Haines to protest but they had had their chance. It can happen but communication between the referee and main stand assistant became comical when both men would indicate in opposite directions for both throw ins and free kicks. It was again not league standard and this poor officiating did not help the game. It was also increasingly noticeable the time wasting tactics employed by the home side. It seems incredible that the services of the ball boys in a football league game were dispensed with for the entire second half. Frequently united players even in the early stages of the half were chasing the ball for play to restart. The referee and his assistants must have spotted this but did absolutely nothing to help. Goalkeeper Amissah was particularly guilty frequently falling to the ground after catching the ball and taking ages over goal kicks. His actions were worthy of rebuke and formal action but the hapless official did precisely nothing.
If all this sounds rather vague it’s because the U’s had lost their way and were punting aimless balls high up to the Burton defence to clear. United then burst into energy and probably enjoyed our best spell. We won a number of corners, and roared on once again by magnificent support, McGrandles crossed for Sam Smith to head narrowly over. Liam Bennett was doing a superb overlapping job on the wing and crossed the ball to Sam Smith to have a snap shot but the ball was blocked. Paul Digby had another effort cleared. Following another corner George Thomas fired an effort wide. This was much better but time was ticking on. For the home side Kamwa replaced Smith. More jeers fell on home keeper Amissah who prepared to clear the ball and then went down. He received ‘treatment’ but as expected got up and cleared the ball with no apparent injury. It was clear time wasting.
For the U’s Okenabirhie replaced Knibbs. Kirk of Burton was yellow carded for a foul on Harrison Dunk. Whinall replaced Kirk for the home side. Following a cross after a throw in, Ryan Bennett flicked a header towards goal but with the keeper beaten the ball hit the crossbar. Thomas and Liam Bennett were playing well on the right wing and swung over a number of crosses with Sam Smith heading wide. Liam O’Neill then replaced Digby on 86 as the U’s piled on the pressure. Then on 90 minutes Liam Bennett swung over a cross which Smith met perfectly, I got to my feet as I thought it a certain goal but Amissah pulled off an incredible save to keep the ball out.
In the final moments the U’s were caught on the break a couple of times with Helm firing in a shot saved by Mitov. Michael Morrison was yellow carded at the end after fouling Helm. The 6 minutes of stoppage time were played out but impressive home centre half Hughes was the equal of everything in an outstanding performance for his team. The U’s lost 1-0 and were not at their best for half the game. When they ramped things up they had the home side on the ropes. I still can’t believe Smith’s header did not go in. As the disappointed supporters left we have to look forward to Sunday and concentrate on beating FGR and trust other results go our way. We are still in the fight……