Time to drop in on the Pirelli stadium once again as Burton faced an in-form Aldershot side coming off the back of an impressive midweek victory over promotion-bound Swindon Town. Albion on the other hand were heading into this one after being thumped 7-1 away at Bristol Rovers last week severely denting any hope of caretaker manager Gary Rowett taking the job on a permanent basis.
Heading into the ground and looking to my left was the sight of an impressive travelling support in fine voice who had come up from Hampshire. The Albion turnout was fairly standard although more space than normal was felt on the terrace despite the final figure coming out at 2,255.
Aldershot's support began by unveiling a large banner and sporting 'Stevie Chapman 92 tour' t-shirts commemorating a tour undertaken by a group of fan's in honour of Aldershot fan Stevie Chapman who tragically committed suicide earlier in the year.
The Brewer's didn't look like a side battered in their previous fixture and started brightly, one-two's between Jacques Maghoma and Aaron Webster carved open the shot's defence early door's. In a first half that had an incredible four types of weather (cloud,rain,hale and sunshine in case you're interested) it was mainly dark cloud's gathering in Burton's backline as the shot's took the lead in the 16th minute. Albion failed to clear their lines and the ball found its way to Peter Vincenti to place into the bottom corner.
Half time lead to disgruntled discussions between Albion fans with subjects such as who to bring in, who to get to manage the side and what Mansfield's like this time of year being banded about. Dean Holdsworth's men came out in the second half with a whole new purpose, whereas Burton looked short on ideas and confidence, especially when it came to playing the killer pass. Lack of movement up front from the cumbersome Greg Pearson left the majority workload on the lanky 6 foot-plus frame of Calvin Zola, making it easy for the shot's defence to gather men around and get the ball back.,
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Burton simply couldn't keep hold of the ball, wingers Jimmy Phillips and Jaccques Maghoma being the main culprits, running into blind alleys time and again when seemingly easier to run into the space in front of them. Things didn't get much easier when Nathan Stanton had to go off after receiving a vicious shot straight in the chops, Tony James came on in place.
You just felt that a mistake was due and duly it came. The normally reliable Webster attempted to see the ball out over the touchline but ended up being caught out, one cross later and a header from towering centre forward Oliver Risser made it two. The long journey north had been more than worth it by this point for the Aldershot support and it got even better 15 minutes later as a break down the left produced a flashed ball across goal for an easy tap in at the far post.
Albion were clearly dejected and confidence had gone from low to none and yet another break from the away side produced a one-on-one opportunity for Madjo to grab his second. With the first shot superbly blocked by 'keeper Ross Atkins the Albion stopper was slow to rise to the rebound, 4-0. Chant's of 'This is embarassing' from the home support and 'Can we play you every week?' from the away rang around the ground as Rowett watched any potential left of getting the job slip between his fingertips.
Full time and a collapse of epic proportions yet again. 11 goals in two games conceded with just one scored is poor by anyones record. Thankfully safety and league status has long since been assured and thank heavens. What the squad need's now is a fresh pair of eyes to cast a vision over who's good enough and who isn't. Injuries particularly in the forward line have decimated the quality levels within the squad and as a result the goal's have suffered. Whoever the new manager is they can be assured of a loyal following and a good base to take forward but the cracks need repairing, not papering over. Loan signings have masked the true problems within the Brewer's ranks and in particular area's for concern appear in defence and on the wings.
In summary, well done to Aldershot, despite not having a great deal more in terms of quality in general play they took their chances well and looked a solid unit. For Burton it's looking like a crucial summer ahead.
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