Keeper change a surprise but Ben is a star

PERHAPS the biggest surprise Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink sprung on match day was to reinstate Ben Garratt in goal in place of Kieran O’Hara.

Garratt rewarded his new manager with an excellent display when needed.

There were two outstanding saves, a firm hand to push a dangerous cross away from danger, one solid catch from another high cross which earned multiple pats on the back from his team-mates and generally safe handing throughout.

Garratt had not played since the 3-1 defeat at home to Northampton Town in November.

O’Hara was caught in no man’s land with an ill-judged dash from his goal when Matty Taylor put Oxford United ahead early in last week’s 5-1 defeat but Hasselbaink said the change was no specific reflection on his form.

“It was a decision for me to make,” he said.

“We have conceded a lot of goals against but I’m not saying that is all O’Hara’s fault. It’s also the centre-halves and the midfielders.

“I just wanted to see Ben Garratt, give him a chance, and just to change something, some kind of dynamics.

“He was immense. They had some chances but he was amazing.”

The other big change was the debut for new loan signing Hayden Carter, who teamed up with John-Joe O’Toole in the centre of the Burton defence.

He had a solid debut with the added bonus of scoring the only goal, when he turned in Joe Powell’s penetrating free kick into the heart of the Gillingham defence in the 34th minute.

“He played very well. He was very good in the organisation, did what he needed to do and what was asked of him,” said Hasselbaink.

“It was not easy for him playing against two really big strikers. JJ did well as well, both of them did as a pair.

“Hayden has a really bright future ahead. I think you will hear his name quite a lot.”