Burton Albion Football Club

FACTS and figures relating to tomorrow’s home game against Reading from Tony Bentley

ON THIS DAY – APRIL 20

The last time that Burton Albion played a Football League game on April 20 was a Tuesday night fixture in 2021. Lincoln City were the visitors to an empty Pirelli Stadium during the Covid hit season, and the visitors won the game 1-0 with Timothy Eyoma scoring the only goal of the game in the 27^th minute.

Gary Rowett’s Brewers travelled to fellow League Two promotion chasers Bradford City in 2013. A crowd of 13,235 saw James Hansen put the home side ahead a minute before the interval, with what turned out to be the only goal of the game. Just two minutes into the second half Lee Bell received a red card for an off the ball clash with Ricky Ravenhill. Besides probably costing his side any chance of getting back into the game, the three-match suspension he received cost Bell as he missed both play off games against the same opponents in the coming weeks.

It was a promotion party on Saturday, April 20 2002 when the Brewers were crowned Unibond Premier League champions before their match against Droylsden at Eton Park. The biggest league crowd of the season, 2,170, saw Darren Stride raise the handsome trophy aloft. However, there was also a game to be played and Droylsden took the lead in the 69^th minute through Darren Wright. Albion remained unbeaten at home thanks to Aaron Webster heading home a Nigel Clough free kick in the 73^rd minute to earn a 1-1 draw. After the game the celebrations continued with the players receiving their individual medals.

Eton Park hosted a Southern League Premier game between the Brewers and Cheltenham Town on Saturday, April 20, 1996. A crowd of 532 saw goals from Simon Redfern, Dougie Keast and a Jason Rhodes penalty earn a 3-2 win.

In 1992 Moor Green came to Eton Park for another Southern League Premier fixture. A crowd of 574 saw the visitors earn a 1-0 win.

READING

This will only be the third time that Reading have visited the Pirelli Stadium, and the first meeting outside of the Championship.

Reading last visited on Tuesday, January 30, 2018 for a Championship fixture played in front of 2,750 fans. John Dadi Bodvarsson put the Royals ahead in the 20^th minute. Lucas Akins equalised via the penalty spot six minutes into the second half. Chris Gunter restored the visitors lead in the 57^th minute, before Bodvarsson got his second goal in the 68^th minute to earn Reading a 3-1 win. That defeat made it eleven games without a win at home for Burton.

There was a great atmosphere for the first-ever meeting in Burton between the sides for the final game of the season on Sunday, May 7, 2017. The Brewers were jubilant after securing their Championship survival the previous week at Barnsley, whilst Reading could look ahead to the play offs as they were guaranteed third place. A crowd of 6,264 saw Joseph Mendes give Reading a third minute lead. Jordan Obita made it 2-0 in the 21^st minute, before Yann Kermorgant made it 3-1 in the 64^th minute. Ben Turner pulled a goal back for Burton in the 69^th minute, netting his first goal for the club. Cauley Woodrow then made it 2-3 three minutes later to give Nigel Clough’s side hope, but Lewis Grabbon completed the scoring in the 84^th minute to earn the Royals a 2-4 win.

Player Birthdays 20^th to 26^th April

21^st – Tom O’Connor 25, Ivan Calero 29

22^nd – Kieran O’Hara 28, Darren Moore 50

24^th – Jonathan Leko 25

25^th – Ben Garratt 30, Bryn Morris 28