Despite intermittent spells of heavy rain throughout the day, the Raygar Stadium was bathed in sunshine as the Brewers kicked-off their final pre-season contest before Saturday’s curtain raiser away at Cheltenham on Saturday.
A lively opening saw both sides’ trade half chances with Jimmy Phillips testing Sports’ ‘keeper Chris Martin on four minutes with an effort from inside the area.
However it was the home side who led on seven. A positive move down the right saw Rob Richie-Smith deliver an inviting low cross in to the area and it was Jim Oshoboke who was first to the ball; the striker stabbing home from close range.
The sides traded half chances as the half progressed with Knowles and Symes linking up well on 25; however the former’s low effort from 18 yards was comfortably saved by Martin.
From that moment on the remainder of the half belonged to Mickleover. It was the scorer Oshokobe who was the main protagonist for the hosts; the striker breaking free and firing just wide on 28.
Moments later it was Oshokobe again, this time forcing Alex Horton in to a good save; tipping the striker’s goal-bound header over the bar.
From the resulting corner Mickleover Sports doubled their lead. Burton failing to clear the set-piece before the ball finally fell for Danny Davidson on the back post who riffled home for 2-0.
There was little respite for a youthful Albion backline and it was 3-0 on 37. Kev Grocott finding time and space on the right before drilling a low shot from 20 yards inside the left-hand post.
Half-time: Mickleover Sports 3-0 Burton Albion
The second half exploded into life almost immediately as Mickleover further extended their lead on 50 minutes.
A long range effort saw Horton equal to it before the young keeper’ parried a Davidson effort; however the striker was not to be denied and fired home from 12 yards.
Moments later and Albion responded with a goal of their own. MacDonald finding space on the edge of the area and burying his effort low to Martin’s right for 4-1.
The frenetic pace showed little signs of abating as the half progressed with both sides looking dangerous down the flanks.
The Brewers made a couple of changes on 66 and 73 as Matty Palmer and Marcus Harness replaced Brad Coggins and Alex MacDonald respectively as the game went through its first real lull.
On 81 minutes Sam Hornby replaced right-back Joe Doyle, who looked in some discomfort after blocking a powerful Mickleover shot with his foot inside the visitors’ area.
The final few minutes were played out with no more goals; an inexperienced and youthful Brewers side going down 4-1 to Mickleover Sports.
Burton Albion: Horton, Doyle (Hornby 81), Currie, Coggins (Palmer 66), Allen, MacDonald (Harness 73), Dyer, Reed, Phillips, Symes and Knowles
Subs not used: Brown, O'Brien