A BURTON Albion XI were beaten 3-0 at the Don Amott Arena as Mickleover FC retained the KC Trust Trophy in the now annual fundraising pre-season friendly.
A side made up largely of first year scholars along with some second years and Academy graduates took to the pitch, along with a young trialist. Tom Hewlett, looking to strengthen his place in the first team squad in the forthcoming season skippered the young Brewers team.
Goalkeeper Dan Moore was extended early on as Jahvan Davidson-Miller tested him at his near post and ex-Brewer Stuart Beavon drilled a low effort that was also saved.
Dylan Scott lead a Brewers breakaway after a poor pass out of defence from Mickleover defender James Butler and there was a chance for Joe Nyahwema when a bouncing long ball forwards caused a problem for Mickleover keeper Jonathan Hedge who found himself in no-man's-land allowing Nyahwema to shoot on the turn but send his effort wide.
Mason Warren went close for the hosts as the game ticked beyond the first twenty minutes, a low cross to the edge of the area, picking out the midfielder who sent a first-time curling effort inches wide.
Mickleover grabbed the lead on 27 minutes when Phil Watt eluded his man to find space on the right and his cross was helped into the bottom corner by DAVIDSON-MILLER.
Having gone close earlier, WARREN thrashed home an unstoppable effort on 43 minutes leaving Moore rooted to the spot as the midfielder unerringly found the top corner from 20 yards.
Half time: Mickleover FC 2-0 Burton Albion XI
Experienced striker Andy Dales was agonisingly close to extending the home sides lead early in the second half with a curling angled shot that took a crucial deflection to send it against the post as Albion eventually managed to clear their lines.
Davidson-Miller muscled his way into the box to try and head home but tall central defender William Tamen did enough to ensure he couldnt get a clean enough header on goal.
Dales' bad luck continued as a superb save from Moore denied his goalbound effort but it was a case of third time lucky for the former Scunthorpe man, bursting from his own half and past left back Drew Robinson before superbly chipping the ball to the back post beyond the outstretched fingertips of Moore juts as it looked as if the angle might be getting too tight for him.
Neither side really threatened the scorers in the final quarter of the game as substitutes aplenty disrupted the flow of the game somewhat but Mickleover proved worthy winners against a very youthful looking Albion side.
ALBION: Moore, Gilbert (Thomas, 86), Robinson (Oakes, 81), Delap (Ranger, 81), Tamen (Pace), Williams, Nyahwema (Baker-McKay, 30, Ademiluyi, 90), Knowles (Wakelin), Hewlett (c), Scott (Rush), Trialist.
Substitutes: Rush, Baker-Mckay, Oakes, Ranger, Pace, Thomas, Ademiluyi, Wakelin.
GOALS: MICKLEOVER - Davidson-Miller (26), Warren (43), Dales (66)