Blistering start but Brewers then lose their way
The second part of our review of the 2021-22 season sees the real action start on the field after what had been an action-packed summer and pre-season bursting with 16 new signings. Many had arrived in time for pre-season. Could the Brewers now gel quickl
By COLSTON CRAWFORD colston.crawford@reachplc.com
AUGUST
Travelling to Shrewsbury Town’s Greenhaus Meadow for the first day of the season brought back memories for Burton Albion supporters – it had been the venue for the club’s first game in the Football League in 2009, when they were brought back down to earth with a 3-1 defeat.
Then, Shrewsbury had been seen as a big fish. Now there was every reason to hope that the Brewers could more than compete – and that is what they did.
It was not a great game but it was an efficient performance.
One-nil to Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s Brewers – it was a trademark scoreline and performance that had been familiar in the battle against relegation the previous season and the goal was a trademark John Brayford effort too, ghosting in at the far post to head in a corner from Jonny Smith.
However, Jacob Maddox, after a promising half-hour, had gone down with an ankle injury to join Louis Moult, Kane Hemmings, Michael
Mancienne and Ciaran Gilligan in the treatment room, a worryingly long early list.
Supporters largely shrugged off a Carabao Cup exit at the hands of Oxford United.
An own goal from former Brewers captain John Mousinho gave Albion an equaliser in a 1-1 draw but Mousinho banged in the deciding penalty.
That was soon forgotten when the Brewers beat Ipswich Town 2-1 at the Pirelli Stadium on the second Saturday, their first victory over the Tractor Boys in eight attempts.
Joe Powell put them ahead, Tom O’connor’s unlucky own goal gave Ipswich an equaliser, then Ben Garratt saved former Brewer Scott Fraser’s penalty.
When the ball was put on the spot at the other end, Lucas Akins made no mistake.
Three days later and Albion slugged it out with Sunderland in a cracking match at the Pirelli.
It could have gone either way but it was decided by Smith’s brilliant first-time finish in the second half – it was to be voted goal of the season.
Three games, three wins but Burton were brought back to earth away to Cambridge United on the Saturday.
Sam Smith’s shot put Cambridge ahead when it deflected wickedly off Conor Shaughnessy’s shoulder and if that could have gone down as an own goal, the two that Tom Hamer inadvertently sent past Garratt certainly were.
Tom O’connor also joined the injured list, having to leave the fray after pulling a muscle stretching for the ball after only 10 minutes.
The Brewers struggled, too, at home to Cheltenham Town next, needing a second-half equaliser from Akins to secure a 1-1 draw.
The month ended with a 2-1 defeat to MK Dons in the Papa John’s Trophy.
It also ended with the closure of the transfer window and Burton securing the services of sought-after Sheffield United teenager Daniel Jebbison on loan, as well as Sam Hughes, returning for a second loan spell, although still recovering from the ACL injury he had suffered the previous December, and Harry Chapman, from Blackburn Rovers,
ALBION WOBBLE AS THEY GO SIX WITHOUT A WIN BEFORE ENDING SEPTEMBER ON A HIGH
also on loan.
Charlie Lakin, a midfielder from Birmingham City, also signed at the last minute.
SEPTEMBER
The month began on a Monday with Burton under the cosh away to Bolton Wanderers in a televised game.
The home side had 75% of the possession, 25 attempts on goal and one, from Kieran Lee disallowed.
They were furious about that but striker Eoin Doyle’s initial movement towards the ball with a view to turning the shot in, from an offside position, unsighted Ben Garratt – the referee called it right.
The Brewers also had John Brayford sent off for two yellow cards.
Chapman promised much, without the final product, in the 1-1 home draw with Gillingham which followed.
Hemmings, back from injury, scored for Burton and Jebbison missed a glorious late chance to win it after coming off the bench.
A pattern that was to be repeated all too often became apparent away to Crewe Alexandra, who won their first game of the season by 2-0 without having to do too much.
It was a wholly lacklustre effort from Burton, who had Lakin sent off in the second half.
When Lincoln City, once more looking a very good side, won 2-1 at the Pirelli, Burton had gone six without a win and the blistering start was fading into memory.
But September ended on a high, with a stirring 2-1 win under the lights against Portsmouth.
O’connor scored his first Burton goal, an emphatic low drive, to give them a half-time lead, then Jebbison had the home supporters in raptures with a quite brilliant second, taking the ball on after Hamer’s pressing won it, moving the ball to his right and curling in a 20-yard shot.
It was a busy five minutes for the 18-year-old.
Three minutes later, he clumsily conceded the free kick from which Portsmouth pulled a goal back and was booked for it.
He was quickly substituted by Hasselbaink, who decreed that he was tired out, though Jebbison gently refuted that later – he was still running on adrenaline at that point.
Had his first goal in a Burton shirt seen the Brewers turn the corner? A busy October beckoned.