Its been a while (all of three weeks) since the last outing to a domestic game so with a free evening off work and the fixture list being kind once more pitting locals Burton Albion at home to Lincoln City it was down to the Pirelli again for another fix of Npower League two football. Albion are the ultimate in inconsistency, beating Northampton in their own back yard to earn only their second away victory all season costing Cobbler's boss Ian Sampson his job (through sheer embarrassment possibly) and then order being fully restored the weekend after with a thumping 4-1 defeat away to Crewe Alexandra.
So the form book suggested a win on the cards tonight for the Brewer's against a resurgent Lincoln City, fresh from a 2-2 draw with Aldershot town at the weekend. New boss Steve Tilson working wonders at Sincil Bank pulling the Imp's from the bottom reaches of the league up towards the relative ease of mid-table.
Starting up top for the home side would be Sam Winnall, promising Wolves loanee who had bagged two in his last five matches for the club, including a poachers finish at Gresty Road on Saturday and with Darren 'Big Dave' Moore slotting into centre back at the expense of the injured Nathan Stanton completing the lineup.
Burton made the brighter start and Winnall's attacking partner in crime Aaron Webster was first to test the Imp's resolve by having his header cleared off the line from John McGrath's corner kick. The breakthrough was inevitable with Albion looking like a side who had smashed four in at the weekend and not vice-versa and it came in quite hilarious fashion. A long pass from Webster had defender and goalkeeper impersonating Paul and Barry Chuckle with a bit of 'to me-to you' allowing Winnall to round the hapless pair and tuck away the opener.
'The Tony Pulis guide to attacking' handbook has been selling well of late, particularly as Steve Tilson seems to have purchased a signed copy as Lincoln hopelessly pumped the ball up field being met time and again by the giant figure of Darren Moore to clear. Winnall once again was the menace to the Imp's back line with a sublime chip over 'keeper Trevor Carson only to have his shot headed onto the bar and away to safety by the onrushing Danny Hone.
League two football can be a dangerous place as one poor gent found out to his expense as a clearance into the stand heading for my face was averted by a quick dodge leaving the poor 'fella to take the full impact of Andy Corbetts clearance, ouch. Still that did not dampen the home supporters spirits as half time approach with Albion dominant.
The bovril had barely had chance to cool as John Mcgrath's sweet cross was met by Aaron Webster for an easy finish past the helpless Carson three minutes into the second half. 2-0 and looking comfortable. Paul Peschisolido has been a busy man in the transfer and loan's market bringing Simon Whaley and Nialle Rodney into the club from Championship sides and both were introduced in the second half as the Brewer's looked to close the game out.
A cynical foul on Jacques Maghoma in the penalty area gave Winnall the chance to double his tally and seal the victory for Burton on 75 minutes and the Wolves man made no mistake from the spot. By this point the Lincoln away support of somewhere in the region of 250 had already conceded that this wasn't going to be their night as Albion poured forward looking to pepper the Imp's goalmouth by introducing winger Whaley and Forest loanee Rodney. All around me shouts of 'Rodney you plonker!' echoed as the tall striker was caught offside and with the nights work seemingly done and dusted City striker Ashley Grimes decided to give the away followers something to shout about with a magnificent curling strike late on. However this was the Brewer's night and a fantastic performance and a well earned win easing the pressure of relegation.
A side note for Sam Winnall as has been mentioned many-a-time in this article, the lad is a real talent, his hold up play is exactly what Burton have needed since the departure of Shaun Harrad to Northampton Town, the work rate and passion he shows on the pitch is exactly what is needed if this club are to progress, long may it continue, as for Lincoln, could it be the honeymoon is over for Steve Tilson?
The Winnall takes it all...
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