Brewers hold on to third lead for Youth Cup win

YOUNG ALBION FINALLY SEE OFF DETERMINED STAGS SIDE

BURTON Albion’s youth team are through to the third round of the FA Youth Cup after a 3-2 win over Mansfield Town at the Pirelli Stadium on Monday night.

The young Brewers led three times and though they were pegged back twice, Matty Richardson’s excellent 72nd-minute goal proved one too many for the Stags.

Sam Rose’s young charges set about their task with vigour and their determination to put Mansfield under pressure from the start paid off with a ninth-minute goal.

James Matthews worked his way into the box from the right before beating Mansfield keeper Owen Mason at his near post with a fierce shot.

Said Idouarab flashed a shot over and Charlie Williams was blocked at at close range as Burton went in search of a second but Mansfield settled into the game and equalised after 18 minutes.

A flick on found Jack Deakin and, with his back to goal, the striker turned sharply and shot low beyond Brewers keeper Luke Bell.

As Albion hit back, Idouarab saw a low shot loop off defender Frank Cooper to drop wide.

Mansfield might have taken a 38th-minute lead when a corner was headed back across the box and skipper Nathan Caine found room for a shot but hit it wide.

Back at the other end, Yewo Nyirenda had a shot blocked before Tommy Hill dragged the rebound across goal and wide as the first half ended level.

Williams was lively and alert in the opening moments of the second half, weaving his way inside the area and having his shot saved by the leg of Mason.

The Stags’ reprieve was only temporary, as Burton regained the lead in the 48th minute.

Idouarab’s corner was perfectly flighted for skipper Luke Redfern to bury a header at the near post.

The corner routine almost worked again five minutes later, Idouarab again delivering but Callum Niven headed straight at Mason.

Mansfield’s second equaliser came after 67 minutes.

A speculative shot from Shamar Lawson looked to be heading wide but substitute Diego Edwards was alert and slid in at the back post to turn the ball home.

Albion were in front for a third time five minutes later after an excellent move.

Nyirenda drove forwards before slipping a perfectly-timed pass for Richardson to run on to.

He cut inside past a defender and slid the ball calmly past Mason.

Mansfield poured forward in search of a third equaliser and Bell was relieved when Ethan Hill’s rising drive was close enough for him to turn over the bar with relative comfort.

Nyirenda should have put daylight between the sides after 77 minutes.

Turning inside the box to leave a defender grounded, he had only Mason to beat but curled his shot wide.

Mansfield’s Nathan Caine had his head in his hands in the closing stages when Ben McLean threw himself in front of a goalbound shot to block it wide.

Richardson was close to a second with a drive from the edge of the box but Taylor Anderson was well placed to head it over his own bar.

Stoppage time was played out in the Mansfield half as the young Brewers ensured they would progress.

The third round will involve an away tie against Stoke City as the stakes rise in the competition. BREWERS YOUTH: Bell, McLean, LattyFairweather, Richardson, Redfern, Matthews, Idouarab, MAtthews, Nyirenda, Niven (Radcliffe, 63), Hill (Noon-Brandy, 90). Other subs: Moore, Power, Emery, Langfield, Maginniss.