Burton 2-2 U's: Big Mac Attack
Friday 2nd May 2008 - Burton 2-2 U's: Big Mac Attack
There are some stirring sights to be seen at football matches... and there are some pretty comical ones, too. Friday night's first-leg play-off semi-final at Burton offered both even before kick-off. As the teams ran out, the magnificent amber hordes in the sold-out away end produced the best Yellow Pages tickertape welcome of the season, an absolute blizzard of cut and shredded paper which blocked the pitch from view for a few seconds before it fluttered into the sunny evening sky or descended upon the heads, hoods and backs of necks of the noisy away supporters.
By contrast, the Burton fans had been watching continental football on TV and, admiring the gigantic flags that cover half of a stand at a time as they are passed over the heads of the fans, they had come up with one of their own. Unfortunately, it was only slightly larger than the average tea towel, gold with a black cross and the initials BAFC upon it, and the home supporters must have barely been capable of hiding their embarrassment as it trundled slowly along the large covered terrace on one side of the Pirelli Stadium until, foundering on the head of a steward, it sank apologetically from sight and was presumably folded up and deposited in someone's back pocket. Hilarious stuff.
Nothing really could illustrate the contrast in the clubs better: the part-timers of Burton, in their first-ever play-offs and looking to progress to the unchartered territory of the Football League, and the Mighty U's, with a glorious FL history that they are determined to resume next season.
From every corner of the country the United supporters came, and for the first time they were able to see Burton's home in daylight after wintery Tuesday and Friday night visits over the last three seasons. One of the better new-build stadia of recent times, its covered terraces on three sides and splendid facilities for away fans make it one of the most supporter-friendly venues in the league. It made a change to see no condensation on the windows of the bar, and the food outlet was doing a roaring trade in traditional footie fare like chip butties plus local delicacies such as faggots and peas (double portions available).
The only part of the ground which was not up to standard, unfortunately, was the pitch, exposed in all its ragged glory by the rays of the sun. Large patches of it were devoid of grass, a sea of soggy mud, while several huge puddles were dotted around the halfway line, no great help to a team that likes to play neat passing football. Their bizarre mascot Billy was also in attendance, his lopsided grin and dizzy demeanour resembling nothing so much as a recovering stroke victim, surely not the desired effect but hey, inclusion is all, hey kids!
JQ's team selection was fairly predictable, ditching the rotation of the Northwich line-up but sticking with 4-4-2 anchored by what seems to be the first-choice back four of Morrison, Albrighton, Hatswell and Brown. Dan Gleeson, Rob Wolleaston and ex-Burtonian Paul Carden were natural choices in midfield and were joined by Stephen Reed, the more attack-oriented Courtney Pitt remaining on the bench. Mark Beesley partnered Magno Vieira up front with the two striking Lees, McEvilly and Boylan, in reserve, meaning no bench place for Leo Fortune-West.
The team tactics soon became apparent as play got under way. Beesley and Vieira, with their pace, were stationed high on the shoulders of the Burton back line (not literally) and were looking for quick through balls to run onto. Gleeson and Reed were primed to watch the dangerous Burton wide men, Andy Corbett and Keith Gilroy, and when they linked with their own overlapping full-backs, United had at least two against two on each flank.
United's game plan almost paid off within two minutes. Vieira flicked on from the centre circle to send Beesley racing clear down the right channel, and he sprinted for goal, cut inside and saw his low drive blocked by 44-year-old keeper Kevin Poole at the near post with his zimmer frame. OK, his hands. Great chance.
This tactic was to yield more than its share of offside flags over the ninety minutes, but United knew that every now and again they would time it right and a good scoring opportunity would arise. And it certainly gave the hosts a chunky helping of food for thought to digest.
In a hard-fought contest, it took Burton nine minutes to get their first shot in, and that was an optimistic and inaccurate long-ranger from John McGrath. Two minutes later Vieira's pace took him clear down the right channel, pursued by striker Daryl Clare of all people, and he really should have shot early but delayed, cut inside and was felled by Clare for what looked like a clear penalty. Ref Hooper somehow thought otherwise, seeing a 'deviation' in the ball's path, which doesn't explain why he did not then award a corner instead of a goal-kick.
Vieira was robbed, this time legally, by John Brayford after another run on 14, and he nodded over a couple of minutes later from Dan Gleeson's cross, continuing his splendid form from Northwich. Burton offered little attack-wise, United's defensive setup containing their passing game, and it was the myopia of the linesman on the main stand side which gave them their best chance so far on 22.
Shaun Harrad broke clear, looking clearly offside, and was eventually bundled to the ground by Gleeson for a free-kick in the left channel just outside the box. Burton filled the area, but spurning the cross, Clare went directly for goal with a cheeky inswinging curler that Danny Potter did well to leap and tip over the bar.
The playoff tension began to show on 26 when Paul Carden tangled untidily with Gilroy and the Brewers winger became first name in the ref's book. United continued to probe, the offside flag still their nemesis, and neither keeper had much to do other than pluck the occasional cross out of the air.
Danger threatened on 40, however, when Harrad managed to wriggle down the left past several missed United tackles and fizzed over a low cross towards where Albrighton, Clare and Hatswell were converging six yards out. Somehow Clare missed it altogether and it cannoned goalward off Hatswell's shin, but as U's hearts hit mouths and the dreaded letters O.G. began to form in their minds, Potter gathered alertly to save the day. Phew.
United hit back with a couple of corners but ruined their spell of pressure on the second one with Satan's Setpiece, the short corner, which Reed made a mess of and ended up overhitting to Beesley way beyond the far post who could only nod it well wide. What a waste.
The U's had enjoyed the best of the first half, with a good penalty shout and an excellent early chance, but it was still as tight as John Prescott's cummerbund. Anything could happen in the next three-quarters of an hour.
Courtney Pitt replaced Reed for part two, the latter having sustained an injury in the first half twisting in the mud, and the little wing wizard was unlucky to be penalised for a handball on 48 to concede a free-kick on the edge of the box. Michael Simpson's set piece found Brayford outjumping Albrighton to head home past Potter, but the goal was disallowed for a push.
The contest was as close as ever, but this time Burton were in the ascendant as United struggled to keep any serious possession, with Wolleaston and Pitt particularly anonymous. Carden strove valiantly in the engine room, sometimes a little too hard as when he clattered Brayford but was let off with a lecture from the man in black, but the U's defence held firm.
Home skipper Darren Stride was next into the book on 57 for dissent, but it was still all Albion. Clare scuffed a shot wide on the hour, Potter clutched a Brayford header from a Simpson free-kick and Gilroy spooned a long-ranger off target, and the amber army began to urge JQ to make a change as Lee McEvilly and Ben Farrell continued the warm-up routines on the touchline that they had been doing for most of the half.
The dominant hosts finally made their breakthrough on 65. Harrad broke down the left and sent over a low cross towards the inrushing Corbett and Pitt. Pitt got there first but miscontrolled, possibly due to a push from Corbett; the ball ran free, Corbett pushed it past the United man and fell over his leg as he attempted to intercept. Not the most blatant penalty in the world, but you could see why Mr Hooper gave it. Up stepped Clare to send Potter the wrong way and blast into the bottom left corner. 1-0.
The cries for change grew from the amber hordes, still outsinging the hosts as the infernal 'Tom Hark' blared out to celebrate the goal. If Clare had evoked memories of his last goal against the U's, an injury-time spot-kick winner at the Abbey at the end of 2006, his next action on 68 was a replay of his sending-off when the teams met at the Pirelli last November when he lashed out at Michael Morrison, provoking a melee of pushing and shoving from both sets of players.
This time Clare was fortunate to only see yellow, as did Albrighton for his part in the kerfuffle, and the ultimate outcome was a rather soft free-kick to Burton out on the left. Gilroy took it, arcing it into the box where Stride rose to power a header home with precious little challenge from the U's defence. Tom bloody hark again: 2-0.
At long last (too late, it as was tempting to think) McEvilly and Farrell were introduced on 73, in place of Beesley and Gleeson. Wolleaston and Vieira had seemed to be better candidates for removal, but hey, we haven't got the coaching badges. They had seventeen minutes to save United's season.
Burton also made a change, Aaron Webster replacing the tricky Gilroy to the amber hordes' relief. Next minute Stride's corner exposed the visitors' continued worrying vulnerability at set pieces, as in a mad scramble Clare and Brayford both had shots blocked on or near to the line.
At last the U's began to pull themselves together, led from the front by the big Sontaran, sorry, Scouser. On 77 Vieira picked up possession in the box and, turning, fired for goal and saw his effort spoon off Stride and bounce just the wrong side of Poole's post. Pitt took the corner, it fell to Farrell on the opposite side of the area and he blasted a shot goalward which looked bound for the net until it was stopped by Paul Hurst's hands at the near post. The amber army's cries of 'handball!' were deafening, and although it was impossible for the ref to see it through a sea of bodies, the linesman had a perfect view and bravely indicated a penalty. Good man.
The Burton player argued long and loud with both officials, pointlessly it must be said, and cometh the hour, cometh McEvilly, who took the ball up without hesitation, placed it on the spot and, with coolness, disguise and power, blasted home as Poole dived the other way. 2-1!
Now we had hope. And United had momentum, as they proceeded to lay siege to the Burton goal, roared on by 1,600 delirious supporters. And within six minutes they were level. Pitt was felled from behind by Corbett (Burton might say otherwise, but then they would, wouldn't they?) and the U's had a free-kick 25 yards out to the left-hand side of the box. Once again McEvilly stepped up, and although the area was packed with players expecting a cross, it was obvious that there was only thing on Big Mac's mind.
A few strides, and he lashed the ball over the wall and curled it unerringly into the top corner, the desperately diving Poole's fingertips unable to stop it. What a free-kick. What a man. What a goal! The amber hordes lifted the roof off the place as they acclaimed a moment of genius that might just make our season. And when you take into account the technique, the accuracy, the power and the pressure of the occasion, I really can't think of a better free-kick goal in all of this club's long and glorious history. 2-2!
United's new-found positivity remained in place and rather than sit back and play for the draw, they continued to take the game to their reeling hosts. Vieira found a second wind, Farrell probed industriously, Wolleaston finally began to get involved, and there leading from the front was the talisman McEvilly. Two corners failed to yield a winner, then on 88 Tony James conceded a throw-in under Big Mac's pressure and was booked for frustratedly kicking the ball away. Farrell joined him in the book a minute later for a similar offence.
Four minutes added time was indicated, and just over a minute in Hatswell conceded a free-kick out on the left against Harrad. Simpson curled it into the box, Harrad challenged Potter, the ball ran free and Clare rammed home. 'Tom Hark' assaulted our eardrums again, but was quickly curtailed when the ref gave a foul against Harrad. The U's fans took up the song, mocking the home supporters' premature celebrations.
There was still time for a half-chance for United as Wolleaston galloped down the right channel onto a Carden through ball but miscontrolled when a quick trap might have set him up for a shot at goal. Then it was all over, and the amber army rose to acclaim a truly epic, breathless comeback from a side which just does not know when it is beaten. There had been some, shall we say, interesting refereeing decisions, but on the balance of play a draw was the least United deserved. And the circumstances of the result must be weighing heavily on the Brewers' minds as they prepare to face a near-sold out Abbey.
Keep believing. All together now: "We'll see you at the, er, Trade Recruitment Stadium!"
Statto Corner
This has truly been the year of the comeback for United. They have come from 1-0 behind to win six times (York away, Oxford home, Crawley home, Aldershot home in the Cup, Burton away, Halifax away) and draw four times (Ebbsfleet home, Weymouth away, Exeter away, Halifax home). But today was the first time that they had come back from 2-0 down to gain a draw.
The U's have lost only four times after taking the lead this season, all by the score of 2-1: at Wolves in the Cup, away at Grays and Farsley, and home to Stafford.
Lee McEvilly's brace marked the third consecutive game in which a United player has scored twice, after Magno Vieira and Mark Beesley. The last time this happened was between New Year's Eve 1994 and 14th January 1995: Jason Lillis notched a brace in a 2-2 draw at London Road, Darran Hay did the same in a 2-2 home draw with Hull, Sir Steve Butler repeated the trick in a 4-2 home FA Cup defeat by Burnley, then Carlo Corazzin joined in the fun by firing two of United's goals in a 3-2 win at Blackpool.
Mark Beesley has scored two doubles in total this season, as have Lee Boylan and Scott Rendell. Rendell and Leo Fortune-West have also notched a hat-trick apiece.
Our old chum Daryl Clare has now scored three times in six games against the U's, all three coming for Burton. He played against United without scoring once each for Crawley and Boston.
United historians were delighted on Saturday when Derby County's defeat at Blackburn meant that they equalled United's all-time League record of 31 games without a win which they set between 8th October 1983 and 28th April 1984, when they finally defeated Newcastle 1-0. Should Derby beat the record by failing to beat Reading next week, perhaps some sort of ceremony will be in order. I'm sure players of the time like David Moyes, Steve Fallon and Andy Sinton would be delighted to attend, although should John Ryan turn up, I don't think many early 80s U's supporters would be responsible for their actions...
Player Ratings
Potter 7. Some excellent trademark saves, although he will need to have a pow-wow with his defence as to its uncharacteristic vulnerability at set pieces.
Morrison 7. He'll never be a great right-back, but did a good, solid job.
Albrighton 8. Tower of strength as usual.
Hatswell 9. United's best defender, he was everywhere and looked impassable.
Brown 8. Beginning to look like a very fine left-back indeed.
Gleeson 7. Pitched in very well defensively, not so effective going forward. I still say right-back is his best position.
Wolleaston 6. United's only real disappointment, he was far too often a peripheral figure and failed to make any mark on the game.
Carden 9. By contrast, Cards was a dominant and influential figure throughout.
Reed 7. Brought in as a more defensive alternative to Pitt, and did what was asked of him.
Vieira 7. Asked Burton all sorts of questions in the first half and should have scored. More anonymous in the second.
Beesley 7. Missed a great chance almost from the kick-off and combined very well with Vieira.
Pitt 6. A little unlucky for the penalty, but nowhere near his best.
Farrell 7. Good, lively contribution.
McEvilly 10. Simply phenomenal.
Match Summary
Never ones to do anything the easy way, United produced one of their most thrilling comebacks of the year to gain a battling draw thanks to the force of nature that is Lee McEvilly. Thought this season couldn't get any more exciting? Hold on to your hats...!
Man of the Match
Lee McEvilly. Quite simply, he saved the day almost single-handed for United with his presence, a cool penalty and the greatest free-kick in the club's history. Sign him up for life.
Ref Watch
Hooper 5. Wildly erratic and sometimes just peculiar, he and his linesmen were the weirdest bunch to take charge of a United game this season.
Non-League Player's Name of the Week
The world's biggest EastEnders fan, Ashford Town (Middx)'s Ricky Wellard.
Soundtrack of the Day
The Breeders "We're Gonna Rise"
The MP3 Files
Mark Peters assesses the Pirelli Stadium sounds. "My cousin Owain Llwybr-Llaethog runs his own mobile disco business covering the whole of the North Wales area, and one lesson he has learned is that on special occasions, like weddings, anniversaries, or landmark birthdays, it is always best to play safe and stick to songs that people know. He found that out in no uncertain terms when he dropped Consolidated's 'You Suck' into his set at someone's fortieth and received a thorough kicking for his pains! It was back to Black Lace and 'Oops Upside Your Head' after that, I can tell you!
"Anyway, Burton played by the same rules and stuck to the tried and tested for the biggest match in their history. 'The Liquidator,' Pigbag, 'Hi Ho Silver Lining,' Republica, Fatboy Slim, they were all there. Not terribly exciting or original, but understandable in the circumstances. No chance of hearing any Plant Bach Ofnus or Burial on Tuesday, then! Hwyl!" MP3 verdict: 6/10.
Andrew Bennett
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