BURTON Albion faced a second Championship side in four days with Coventry City arriving at the Pirelli Stadium for tonight's pre-season friendly. The Brewers beat Stoke City 1-0 on Saturday but went down narrowly 2-3 tonight.
It was a wet and blustery Pirelli Stadium that greeted the teams as Jake Buxton made three changes to the starting line-up from Saturday with Daniel, Fox and Gilligan being added to the mix.
Matty Godden had the first real chance of the game as the ball dropped invitingly for him on nine minutes but, off balance, his shot curled over the bar.
Coventry looked to be the more likely team to forge an opening in the early stages but failed to capitalise on possession in Albion's final third.
The Brewers took the lead with a fine goal on 18 minutes. Neal Eardley got ahead of his man on the right flank and put in a pinpoint low cross that was perfect for Kane Hemmings to confidently stroke into the Coventry goal.
Coventry might have equalised on 30 minutes, but Ryan Giles fierce drive was turned over with a strong arm by Teddy Sharman-Lowe just when it looked like the Albion keeper was beaten.
Albion continued to make good progress pushing forward down the flanks but couldn’t find another good opening. But Coventry were finding pickings slim and Sharman-Lowe wasn’t called into action again before the break.
The only downside to a good first half for the Brewers was an injury to Akins who was replaced by Luke Varney.
Half-time: 1-0
Coventry opened the second half with a blistering drive from Don Hyam from 27 yards that just went wide.
It served as a warning for the Brewers with the visitors levelling on 49 minutes.
Former Brewer Jamie Allen on the overlap planted a fine strike into the far corner leaving Sharman-Lowe with no chance.
Albion regained the lead on 59 minutes with Hemmings again making the most of a great opportunity. Coventry gave the ball away and the Brewers striker raced clear to lash it into the roof of the net making it five so far in pre-season.
Albion nearly extended their lead on 65 minutes when Vernam curled one from 20 yards and was unlucky to see it come back off the bar.
Vernam had another chance to extend the lead, shaking off his man and trying to slide the ball wide of the advancing keeper who made a fine save.
A minute later Coventry equalised, pressurising the Albion defence and creating a chance for Bakayoko to finish.
Albion were under more pressure in the closing stages but it took a stunning strike to win it for the visitors. Jodi Jones let one go from 30 yards into the top corner.
It was harsh on the Brewers, but it was another good work out against Championship opposition as Albion prepare for the new season.
Final score: 2-3
Albion: Sharman-Lowe, Daniel (Trialist 1 73), Eardley, Wallace (Powell 60), Brayford (c) (Hart 80), Quinn (Vernam 60), O'Toole, Akins (Varney 44), Hemmings (Anderson 80), Fox, Gilligan Subs: Powell, Varney, Vernam, Anderson, Garratt, Hart, Hewlett, Armitage, Hawkins, Triallst, Trialist