Time for another evenings football brought to you from the Pirelli Stadium as Burton Albion entertained Cheltenham Town on Friday night. Both sides even at this early stage of the season were being talked about as possible promotion contenders after almost identical starts with the visitors nudging ahead on goal difference.
An even game then some would predict and after a first half that would draw a blank look from the usually hyperactive Chris Kamara closely followed by 'Nothing to report,Jeff' it looked like ending up a stalemate. Cheltenham however had showed signs that they were more up for the game with slick passing, good movement and a 4-5-1 system playing very much to Burton's frustration. New signing Kevin 'The Tank' Amankwaah was making his debut for the Brewer's at right back and was straight into the thick of it with tackle after tackle due to Cheltenham taking rather a fancy to his side of the field.
Ex-Leicester reject Josh Low started on the wing for the visitors bringing back memories of season 2006/7 during which I tore my hair out to such an extent that come November I was sporting the same hairstyle as Josh. Then of course the eagerly anticipated return of Albion record signing Russell Penn (£50,000 in case your interested) who chose Cheltenham over Burton in the summer, a decision that Albion winger Cleveland Taylor stated pre-match that Penn would regret "He would rather be in our team right now than theirs" quoted Taylor to BBC Radio Derby.
As it proved Cheltenham's Penn was far mightier than Burton's sword as attacks began to mount on Ross Atkin's goal and early in the second period a cross to the far post was met by Josh Low to put the visitors a goal to the good, a header creeping inside the top corner which Atkins could only help into the net. Burton had little by way of response, former Chelt Justin Richards who had been so prolific up to now looked disinterested, Mcgrath and Bolder overrun by Cheltenhams energetic and high-tempo playing midfield and with the only solution being to kick Penn over and over again things were looking bleak.
A breakaway down the left stretched Burton wide open and James Spencer was left with an easy tap-in from Kaid Mohamed's fine cross. Despite a surge of runs from Jimmy Phillips and substitutions late on it just wasn't to be. A bad night at the office for Burton who abandoned their usually flowing football played on the beautiful carpet the Pirelli stadium has to offer in favour of aimless long balls and panic-striken clearances. Much to ponder for Peschisolido and his team going into next weeks game against Bristol Rovers next week.
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