A BREWERS XI put four past a resolute Belper Town side at the Raygar Stadium, as Dino Maamria's side continue to gain fitness ahead of the new season.
Albion started quickly and had the ball in the back of the net within three minutes. Finn Delap’s cross picked out Josh Walker whose header would’ve put the Brewers in front, had he not strayed offside.
Walker had another opportunity to open the scoring soon after. Bobby Kamwa played a lovely ball through the Belper back-line sending Walker through on goal, however he sent his shot flying over the crossbar and the game remained goalless.
Albion looked a threat going forward and their quality was clear to see. On 17 minutes, Kamwa raced through once again, squaring the ball to the onrushing Mustapha Carayol, who just couldn’t keep his shot on target.
Burton eventually took the lead on 30 minutes. Josh Gordon showed his desire to pinch the ball off the Belper defender and drive towards the Nailers goal. Gordon slid the ball across to Ciaran Gilligan, who tapped the ball home into an empty net, giving the Brewers a well-deserved lead. 1-0.
Walker almost doubled the Burton lead moments later. Carayol whipped a corner straight onto the strikers head, but his glancing header met the post and the Nailers survived another scare.
Half-Time: Belper 0-1 Brewers XI
The Brewers picked up from where they left off at the end of the first half. Shots from Walker and Gordon kept Belper goalkeeper, Johnathan Hedge busy throughout.
The game took an unexpected huge twist when Max Crocombe was sent off after taking a heavy touch and took out the Nailers striker who was through on goal.
The resulting freekick brought about the equaliser. Declan Dunn’s effort rebounded off the wall and his second attempt beat replacement keeper, Kamil Dudek. 1-1.
The home side were awarded a penalty on 75 minutes after Finn Delap was adjudged to have brought down striker Kevin Bastos in the area. Bastos stepped up and converted to put Belper 2-1 up.
The Brewers responded resiliently, after Josh Walkers effort was saved, Charlie Lakin was on hand to fire in the rebound and bring Burton level with 10 minutes remaining. 2-2.
Albion were awarded a penalty on 85 minutes after the Belper defender blocked Charlie Lakin’s shot on the line. Up stepped Josh Walker who confidently despatched the ball into the bottom right corner to restore Burton’s lead. 2-3.
The game was eventually put to bed by Mustapha Carayol after his work rate to close the defender down came with its reward. Carayol pinched the ball off of Declan Dunn and calmly slotted the ball past Hedge in the Belper net to secure a 4-2 victory for the Brewers.
Albion are next in action on Saturday as they travel to Scunthorpe United in their final pre-season friendly ahead of the season opener away at Blackpool.
Attendance: 351
Brewers: Crocombe, Gordon (Dudek, 61), Walker, Kamwa, Lakin, Carayol, Gilligan, Delap, Oakes (Gilbert, 41), Pace (Scott,78), Tamen.
Unused Subs: Knowles, Rush, Ranger.
Goals: Gilligan 30’, Lakin 80’, Walker 85’, Carayol 87’