FACTS and figures relating to tomorrow's game at home to Bolton Wanderers from Tony Bentley.
ON THIS DAY - AUGUST 26
The first time that Burton Albion played a Football League game on August 26 was in 2016 during their first Championship season. A ground record crowd of 6,746 saw the Brewers play their first ever competitive meeting against Derby County in front of the Sky TV cameras. Current Brewers captain John Brayford made his Football League debut for the Brewers that night, against one of his former sides, eight years after leaving the Pirelli Stadium to join Crewe Alexandra. The only goal of the game came after just 12 minutes when Lucas Akins crossed from the right for Jackson Irvine to time his run to perfection heading home to earn all three points.
The only other occasion Albin have played on this date in the Football League again came in the Championship in 2017. Sheffield Wednesday were the visitors on that occasion, and Gary Hooper gave the Owls a 36th minute lead as he scored at the Pirelli Stadium for the second successive season. Burton were still trailing when Nigel Clough introduced Joe Mason for his debut in the 64th minute. Less than 60 seconds later Mason scored the equaliser with his first touch in a Brewers shirt to earn a share of the points.
BOLTON WANDERERS
The last time Bolton visited was late last season on Tuesday 18th April 2023. A crowd of 3,328 saw the visitors take a fifth minute lead when Aaron Morley’s long-range effort took a double deflection off both Jasper Moon and Sam Hughes before hitting Victor Adeboyejo to wrongfoot Craig MacGillivray to nestle in the corner of the net. Albion levelled matters in the 59th minute when Mark Helm’s shot was parried by James Trafford. The keeper managed to block the follow up of Josh Walker, but not his second attempt which trickled over the line to earn a share of the points.
The third time Wanderers visited the Pirelli Stadium was on Tuesday 15th February 2022 in front of 3,487 fans. Burton took the lead in the 11th minute when Tom Hamer’s long throw was headed on by Conor Shaughnessy for Joe Powell to poke home. Three minutes later Powell turned provider, sending in a deep corner for John Brayford to powerfully head home to double the lead. In the 18th minute Brayford had another when, after another Powell corner, the ball was recycled to the Burton captain who headed into the corner of the net to give his side a three-goal lead. Bolton managed to score a 90th minute consolation through Dion Charles.
The meeting on Tuesday 10th March 2020 was the final fixture played in the 2019/20 season, due to the league being suspended due to Covid 19. Former Burton player Ryan Delaney gave Bolton a 20th minute lead. Rangers loanee Jamie Murphy levelled for Burton in the 28th minute, before Ethan Hamilton restored the visitors lead in the 38th minute. Murphy scored his second of the night in the 65th minute to earn a share of the points, in front of 2,034 fans. It was to be the final time Albion fans got to see Murphy who recorded seven goals in his 10 appearances for Nigel Clough’s side.
The first league meeting between the two sides came in the Championship on Saturday 28th April 2017. A crowd of 6,535 were present to see if Burton could make it three successive Championship wins for the first time, and take their fight to avoid relegation to the final game of the season. The answer was yes as Hope Akpan gave Albion a 28th minute lead, before Lucas Akins doubled the advantage in the 36th minute. The 2-0 win for Nigel Clough’s side did take the fight to Preston North End in the final game, but it was Wanderers who survived with a last gasp win over Nottingham Forest to condemn Albion to relegation.
BIRTHDAYS
26th August - Jamie Murphy 34
1st September - Dan Robinson 41