Burton Albion Football Club

FACTS and figures relating to tomorrow's home game against Bristol Rovers from Tony Bentley.

ON THIS DAY

THE Brewers last played on October 21 back in 2017 during their second Championship season. They made the short trip to the City Ground to face Nottingham Forest. Michael Mancienne lined up in the Forest defence that day with Jamie Ward being an unused substitute. After a goalless first half Barrie McKay put the home side ahead in the 58^th minute, before Eric Lichaj made it 2-0 in the 78^th minute to send the majority of the 24,686 crowd home happy.

The Brewers were in front of the Sky TV cameras on Friday, October 21 2016 when former manager Gary Rowett brought his Birmingham City side to the Pirelli. Former Albion players Adam Legzdins and Jacques Maghoma were in the Blues side. A crowd of 5,818 saw Lloyd Dyer put Albion ahead in the 32^nd minute with a deft outside of the boot finish, after Jamie Ward had played him through. Ward himself made it 2-0 in the 62^nd minute, when a long John Brayford headed clearance saw Ward break free to fire past Legzdins to secure all three points.

Tuesday, October 21 2014 saw a long midweek trip to Carlisle United in League Two. This time Gary Rowett was in the Brewers dugout for a game memorable for the quality of the goals. A crowd of 4,266 saw Damien McCrory give Albion a 5^th minute lead firing home a first-time effort from 25 yards. Kyle Dempsey equalised for the home side seven minutes later, following a close-range scramble. In the 27^th minute Lee Bell picked the ball up just inside his own half, and was allowed to advance unchallenged, before firing into the top corner from 25 yards to restore the lead. Five minutes before the interval Stuart Beavon advanced and played in Jacob Blyth who fired home first time from 16 yards. In the 45^th minute Alex MacDonald got to the byline and fired home from a tight angle to make in 4-1. Yet there was still time for Brad Potts to make it 4-2 at the interval and he too fired into the top corner of Jon McLaughlin’s net for the third 25-yard goal of the half! Carlisle made it 3-4 in the 65^th minute when Derek Asamoah took advantage of hesitation between McLaughlin and Phil Edwards to nip in and slot home. There were no further goals, but Beavon was sent off for a second yellow card in the 90^th minute.

Saturday, October 21 2006 saw a Nationwide Conference game at Halifax Town. A crowd of 1,844 saw Aaron Webster give Albion a 10^th minute lead, which was cancelled out by Steve Torpey in the 30^th minute. The Brewers got their winner in the 81^st minute when Halifax defender Mark Roberts put through his own net.

BRISTOL ROVERS

The Brewers last hosted Bristol Rovers in the opening home game of last season on August 6, 2022. Albion were reduced to 10 men in the first minute when Conor Shaughnessy was sent off for bringing down Aaron Collins on the edge of the box. Anthony Evans compounded the dismissal start by firing home the resultant free kick. James Connolly made it 2-0 in the 12^th minute bundling in a deep cross. Collins made it 3-0 in the 40^th minute creating space inside the box to fire home. The same player then got his second and his side’s fourth goal in the 44^th minute running unchallenged to beat Ben Garratt to inflict a 0-4 rout.

The previous meeting was played without fans on Tuesday, March 21 2021. Rovers saw Luke McCormick dismissed for a second yellow card in the 52^nd minute, and Albion capitalised with Johnny Smith firing home the only goal of the game three minutes later.

When the two sides met at the Pirelli on Saturday, August 31 2019, a crowd of 2,831 saw two late goals from the Brewers decide the outcome. Lucas Akins gave Albion an 87^th minute lead, before Ryan Edwards broke away in the 90^th minute to run almost the length of the pitch before scoring to earn all three points.

Saturday, November 23 2013 saw a League Two encounter between the two sides.  Former Albion player and coach Chris Beardsley was sent off for Rovers in the 37^th minute. Robbie Weir scored the only goal of the game in the 55^th minute, before Albion’s Jimmy Phillips and Rovers John Joe O’Toole booth saw red in the 90^th minute.

Birthdays 21^st to 27^th October

21^st – Luke Murphy 34, Mark Helm 22

22^nd – Rene Howe 35

23^rd – Jacques Maghoma 36, Callum Driver 31, Ian Sharps 43

24^th – Josh Earl 25, Ex Manager John Barton 70

25^th – Adam Bolder 43, James Ellison 32, Garyn Preen 32, Anthony O’Connor 31

26^th – Jamie Price 42, Jamal Blackman 30