Boss delighted following Northampton victory
Burton Albion manager Gary Rowett was a happy man after seeing his side win 2-1 at Northampton Town this afternoon.
Albion had come into the game on the back of three league defeats from four games, but Rowett was delighted to see his side get back on track with a hard fought victory at Sixfields Stadium.
Jacob Blyth put the Brewers ahead in first-half stoppage time, and although Ryan Cresswell cancelled his goal out with ten minutes remaining, Alex MacDonald stepped up to rifle home a 30-yard free-kick after 86 minutes to seal the win.
“We came under a bit of pressure towards the end of the second half when they went more direct and put balls into the box, but we dealt with it pretty well. I can’t remember that many chances that they had.
“There were a lot of balls in and around the box and we’ve had one or two opportunities ourselves where we’ve perhaps shown a bit more composure.
“It’s a huge result for us and I’m really pleased with it because we deserved it with all the hard work we’ve put in. It’s been a tough two or three weeks and it shows that a good performance can turn it all on its head,” said Rowett.
Albion had to defend stoutly for periods of the game with a patched up back line as John Mousinho played at centre back to cover for Shane Cansdell-Sherriff, who missed out due to illness.
“We don’t seem to get much fortune at the minute with injuries. Shane was sick overnight and it’s another thing to deal with at 9.30am when you’ve done a lot of work on the team and the team’s shape.
“I thought Moose came into the back four really well and showed what a versatile player he is. At times his composure helped us in that position and I thought we were a lot more competitive all over the pitch,” Rowett continued.
After a difficult period of games, Rowett wanted to see his side work hard and match a Northampton side who were the division’s leading scorers going into the game.
“We won more 50/50 balls and played like an away team. We got balls out wide and stretched the game to make it difficult for Northampton. The second goal is amazing strike to win any game.
“In the first half we played with really good control. It started after five minutes when Matty Palmer has played a ball to Lucas Akins, who goes on the charge with pace.
“Sometimes you have to make it difficult for the home team to get any momentum. Northampton are very good at pinning you in and you saw that throughout the first half where they get balls into the box and make it difficult for you, but we negated that really well early in the game.
“There was a moment after they scored where I wondered whether we’d be able to hang on for a draw, and nobody was more pleased than me to see the second goal go in,” Rowett added.
MacDonald’s free-kick was worthy of winning any game, and Rowett was clearly delighted with his match-winning impact.
“He’s due one. I said to him in the dressing room that he’s had about 190 of those shots, so to be able to finally score one is really nice. What a goal though and at that point you need a moment of genius to win the game.
“I’m sure he’ll be round the TV tonight with the fire on and his family round waiting to watch the replay. Even I might stay up to watch it!” Rowett joked.
As Rowett reflected on the win, he admitted he was relieved to see his team emerge with a win and to retain their place in the top three.
“It’s a huge result. I felt that in the situation we’ve been in recently we needed a win, there’s no doubt about that.
“We’ve kept our heads, worked hard and scrapped through it with lots of ability and determination, and sometimes that’s how you get an away win. It’s a huge relief for us to win the game and keep us back up there.”