BURTON Albion's Development Squad got their first Staffordshire Girls and Ladies' League win of 2023 with a fine 4-2 win over Doveridge at Pingle School.
A brace from Mia Fellows, alongside strikes from Millie Cokayne and Milly Clarke, ensured a memorable home win for the Brewers, who moved up into fifth in the table.
The game started very positively for the Brewers, who were getting plenty of the ball and making some very good passing patterns to try and break down the Doveridge defence. A few early chances fell Burton’s way but Doveridge would get the first real shot on target, new signing Hollie Gascoyne tipping a shot onto the frame of the goal - shortly before being forced into an incredible triple save to keep the ball out of her net.
Five minutes later, the Brewers had their lead. A brilliant forward run and pass from Lillie Salt played in FELLOWS, who gave the keeper no chance as she scored her 10th goal of the season.
And just before half time, a cross into the box caught out the Doveridge defence, who could only turn the ball into the path of CLARKE for the striker to slot home from close range on her debut.
HALF-TIME: BURTON ALBION 2-0 DOVERIDGE
The Brewers would start the second half as they finished the first, having plenty of the ball and looking to create more chances, but this would soon dry up as keeper Gascoyne would make numerous smart saves, the visitors also hitting the woodwork several times before finally scoring in the 83rd minute.
A good ball over the top catching out the Burton defence for the opposition winger to finish into the top corner. And just two minutes later, Doveridge would do the same again, levelling the game at 2-2.
But the young Brewers side were not quite ready to give up the game yet, and came out fighting in the last five minutes, pinning Doveridge into their own box and not letting them out.
A good corner taken by captain Maggie Croxall found the feet of FELLOWS, who was able to fire back across the face of goal and into the bottom corner with two minutes left. And with seconds left in the game, COKAYNE would catch everyone by surprise as her corner sailed straight into the back of the net, taking a deflection on the way from a Doveridge defender.
Manager Joe Kirkland said after the game: "I'm immensely proud of all of the players.
"When the third goal went in it was great to see everyone celebrating together including the coaches and players on the sidelines, these are the moments that we play for and hopefully continue to have
"I can go on and praise each player individually, but I have to mention goalkeeper Hollie Gascoyne who has been outstanding since arriving a few weeks ago. She sums up what Burton Albion should be."
FULL-TIME: BURTON ALBION 4-2 DOVERIDGE