Far colder and windier at HP than expected but nevertheless an enjoyable afternoon that saw PAFC grab a vital and just about deserved point against the league leaders. The first half started very brightly with some decent attacking football from Argyle. Debutant Jones impressed down the right wing, speedy , skillful and attack minded ,without neglecting his defensive work. Argyle played well in spells and a silky passing move almost allowed RR a chance for his 20th of the season but unfortunately the ball came to him too quickly and he scuffed it passed the post. Burton were big, strong, skillful and quicker to the ball- easy to see why they are top of the league. Their goal and first shot on target had a big slice of fortune about it; a strike from outside the box took a deflection and ended up beyond Luke's reach in the corner of the net. Less doom and gloom than normal around HP which only emphasized that we were unlucky to be behind at the break. 2nd half we were poor for long periods; clearly anxious, we gave the ball away on numerous occasions and it looked like we would end up with nothing, especially as Burton were doing a pretty good job of killing the game off- getting in the ineffectual refs face and wasting as much time as they liked. However, Carl Mchugh popped up with a rare headed goal from a corner and the fans were delighted and to be honest we could have gone on and won it, but the whistle came too soon. Unfortunately Bobby Reid had a shocker, why he stayed on instead of Banton (who put in a decent shift) when Lee was introduced I have no idea. LA was also off his game and RR is still clearly affected by his injury. The rest were OK. The Ref lacked authority and was completely hoodwinked by Burton. In fairness to them, they tested the ref to see what he would allow and exploited his lenient tendencies- unfortunately Argyle were too lightweight and were probably expecting more protection than they were ever going to get. All in all, (especially given the other results) a great point-onwards and upwards.
Thanks Lyndy......sounds about right a draw........with a few results finally helping us.....Newport, Stevenage & Northampton all only getting only one point and good old Exeter coming back to win from 2-0 down at Luton.....who have totally come off the rails from a strong position.
Totally agree with that assessment lyndhurst. Usual inept officials and Argyle huffing and puffing a lot. I was a bit surprised that Burton lowered themselves into a moaning mob a lot of the time although time wasting is a bit legitimate if you are winning away. They even had a go after the whistle. We were poor in lots of periods yet were never quite out of the game. Justice to pull level and you are right we could have even gone on to win in the end although not sure we would have deserved that. I have given up expecting decent Refs and linos. They just don't exist in this league. Good result in the end.
The 90 minutes passed quickly with decent football from both sides despite a stiff breeze blowing into the Barn Park end. This nearly unhinged the Burton defence in the first half with their defenders seeing the ball blown over the heads several times and having difficulty clearing their lines much beyond their final third. Argyle learned this lesson for the second half and McCormick’s kicking was superior in getting decent length. Argyle had a good spell in the first half after a fast start by Burton but were then taken aback by a goal against going in after a wicked deflection, with the ball striking the far post and trickling right across the goal line to squeeze in at the other side. I know we were at home etc but I wasn’t convinced by the selection of both Reid B and Banton. Burton have excellent movement and understanding up front and a better, more physical screen in front of our back 3 could have reduced the supply to the Burton strikers. Burton’s goal was a fluke but they always looked dangerous. Burton were lucky not to have a defender sent off at the half-hour mark when Banton was brought down when clear through. The ref must have taken the view that Banton was too far from goal and too wide on the pitch but the guilty defender was the last man and the trip was completely cynical. Whatever the rules, a straight red would have provided the proper natural justice. Reid R hit a post from 12 yards or so just after half-time when it seemed easier for a scorer of his calibre to hit the net. With a gilt edged chance like that missed, it didn’t seem to be Argyle’s day. With 25 minutes to go, Sheridan made his substitutions and Argyle started to look a bit more balanced and, let’s be honest, more urgent up front, with Brunt and Ansah replacing Reid R and Alessandra. Burton were punished beautifully for their earlier timewasting when McHugh scored close to the end. Suddenly, they were in a hurry but it was too late. I see the Burton manager is complaining that there was a push in the box as McHugh scored which is juicy added revenge considering the ref gave Reid R no protection whatsoever throughout the game, as is usual. McHugh would be my MoM, not because he scored but because of his general play against difficult opposition. This wasn’t the Argyle side that dismembered Portsmouth, Exeter and Dagenham but still a deserved point against a good side. Burton’s away support was negligible and you wonder how they’ve managed to put a team like that together on gates of 3,000 or less. Upwards and onwards, still all to play for.
Burton have been in the promotion mix for the previous two years.......finishing 6th last year and 4th the year before so not totally unexpected that they are going to be promoted this year......have they got money in the club......I'll check it out later......plus a well known player as manager.
A well run club Burton Albion......Chairman Ben Robinson is a brewers nutter with no doubt. Did well selling their old ground and with help from Pirelli they bought Pirelli's old site and built a new stadium and an excellent training ground to go with it.....they have slowly built up to a well run football club with good connections in Burton....attracting good players and have had in the last few years good managers.....they deserve all the success that has been coming their way.....Div One beckons next season....15 years ago they had a 1000 fans....that has now reached approximately 3300....onward and upward.
yes good luck to them, a proper club owned by a passionate fan who clearly has long pockets and is prepared to 'waste' money on bank-rolling his hobby. No idea how much he has invested but it must be a fair bit-no way their setup can be sustained on smallish crowds.
They got a fair wedge of money for their old ground from a developer who has built homes on it....when the market was buoyant ten years or so back. I don't think Ben Robinson throws money at the club....just good management and slowly building year on year.........I think they have about nine directors....so maybe they all put there hands in their pockets and help. PAFC have none participating directors financially (from what I can see)....accept for Wrathall who helped out when he joined.....which upset a few people at the time....but we don't know the facts to criticise.....although Jools will give us a view on it......tin helmet time.....duck............
