Solihull Moors vs Burton Albion on 24 Jul 18 - Match Centre

NIGEL Clough will be looking to give all his first team squad a good work out as he sends strong teams to both Solihull Moors tonight and Alfreton tomorrow.

The Brewers travel to the ATG Stadium tonight – kick off 7.30pm.

Tomorrow Albion are at the Impact Arena - 7.45pm kick off.

Clough hopes that all his players will play in one or the other of the games although Will Miller is still recovering from his knee injury and may have to wait another week for game time.

Ben Turner and Damien McCrory missed the Bass Charity Vase match on Saturday but could return.

Clough said: “Ben has a niggle in his calf. He had a small ankle operation in the summer which was a bit of clean up and he hasn’t been able to do as much as the other lads and as he tried to step it up he felt his calf. It has been sore but nothing serious and we hope he makes it Solihull or if not against Cardiff on Saturday.

“Damien was down to play 90 minutes before the game, but he has had a persistent problem with a blister on his heel and an infection alongside side it. He had it X-rayed but he can’t get his boot on comfortably so we hope it will settle down so he can play one of the games this week.”

New signing David Templeton managed to make his first appearance of the season on Saturday.

Clough said: “David looks a bit short fitness wise and he has work to do to catch up with the rest of the lads but getting him out there was important and he will play one of the games as close to 90 minutes as we can. He needs to build his fitness and sharpness, so he can show his undoubted quality.”

Who plays in which of the two games this midweek will actually come down to geography.

Clough said: “The Burton and Birmingham-based players will be at Solihull and the Derby and Northern-based lads at Alfreton and it’s worked out pretty evenly as well.”

SOLIHULL – TICKET DETAILS

Tickets (pay on the gate)

Adult: (18+ years of age): £10

Under 18s: £5

Under 12s: Free (when accompanied by a paying adult)

Match Previews

THE Brewers lost an entertaining game 3-2 at the ATG Stadium against Solihull Moors.

It was a scrappy opening quarter of an hour with Solihull pushing forward with intent but no cutting edge.

Adi Yussuf had a half chance from a tight angle and Darren Carter shot wide from range but there was a sense that a goal might be coming and it did on 16 minutes.

Albion failed to deal with a cross from the right and it bounced around the area before falling invitingly for Yussuf with the former Brewer slotting home confidently.

Yussuf continued to cause problems and forced Harry Campbell into a good full length save with a crisp shot from the edge of the area after 26 minutes.

A minute later Damien McCrory had Albion’s first real attempt on goal beating his man to shoot from the angle and test Ryan Boot, the Moors keeper.

Sordell also had a shot on the turn saved as Albion began to push the home side back.

But then Carter nearly doubled the lead before the break after Solihull won a free kick on the edge of the box. His first effort hit the wall but when it bounced back to the Moors skipper he caught it on the full and hit the upright with Campbell beaten

Half-time: 1-0

Chris Beardsley and Reece Hutchinson came on for Sordell and Brayford at the break and it was Albion who were the first to threaten.

Damien McCrory’s curling free kick beat the wall and just drifted wide on 48 minutes.

Better was to come though and an exquisite equaliser from Joe Sbarra – his third in pre-season. Ben Fox played a delightful through ball but Sbarra had a lot to do, bringing it down before chipping the keeper brilliantly.

Solihull were back in front three minutes later thanks to a sweet strike from Jamey Osbourne that gave Campbell no chance.

On 63 minutes neat footwork from McCrory created a shooting chance and Boot did well to deny Albion.

Then Harness ran at the Moors defence and his low cross caused panic before being hacked away.

Danny Wright made it 3-1 after 76 minutes with a piledriver into the roof of the net from just inside the box.

Albion pulled one back with Chris Beardsley poking home a Darren Bent header from close range.

The Brewers pushed on after that but couldn’t find another goal.

Full-time: 3-2

Brewers: Campbell, Fox, Brayford, Turner, McCrory, Sordell, Allen, Sbarra, McCormick, Bent, Harness

Subs: Hutchinson (for Brayford – 45), Livesey, Armitage (for McCormick – 78), Hart (for Turner 61), Beardsley (for Sordell – 45)

Burton Albion Football Club

CLOUGH WILL FIELD STRONG TEAMS AT SOLIHULL AND ALFRETON

SOLIHULL V BREWERS: MATCH REPORT