THE Young Brewers fell to a 1-0 defeat in the EFL Youth Alliance League after a tightly fought contest away at Chesterfield.
Chesterfield’s number nine converted from close range just before the break after a melee in the box. This goal enough to secure defeat for Burton Albion.
The Young Brewers started in a positive fashion. The high press and precision passing pushed back the Chesterfield defence, causing an onslaught of corners which couldn’t conjure up the opening goal.
Centre-back Rueben Lal came closest in the first half-an-hour. His header deflecting off a Spireites defender and looping just over the crossbar.
Despite this young Burton side asserted their dominance on the game, Chesterfield always looked dangerous on the counter-attack. They showed their clinical nature just before the half-time whistle as the Spireites number nine tapped into the bottom corner after the Young Brewers failed to clear.
The game was feisty throughout, and with the pitch not in the best of shape, neither side were shying away from a hard challenge. This added an edge to the game, with the referee having to separate the sides after an exchange of words.
Emmanuel Shittu’s direct running led to the Young Brewers’ first opportunity of the second-half. His cross found Kyle Clamp, whose first touch took it away from him before finding the space to force the Spireites keeper into a comfortable save from a tight angle.
Midway through the second-half, the Young Brewers were lucky to keep all 11 players on the pitch after substitute Regan Ganley brought down the Chesterfield striker when through on goal. Ganley was only shown a yellow and the resulting free-kick whistled over from 20 yards.
Despite all of their persistence, the Young Brewers just couldn’t find an equaliser. Clamp had a half-chance before Chesterfield went down the other end and forced an outstanding save from Callum Hawkins.
The Young Brewers are next in action on Friday as Bradford City travel to St Georges Park.