Bass Charity Vase
The Moat Ground, Church Gresley
Friday, 28th July 2006, 7.45pm
Ducros double ends the Moatmen's Vase challenge
Although Burton Albion retain the bragging rights for this season's Bass Charity Vase over Gresley Rovers they were made to work hard for them.
For three quarters of the game the Moatmen held their illustrious neighbours but two late second half goals from Andy Ducros mean the Albion now have a good chance to meet Nottingham Forest in the final needing just a draw against Notts County,
Burton almost started in spectacular style with Jon Shaw hitting the outside of the post with less than a minute of the game on the clock.
Gresley's first half chance came on 8 minutes when Ravi Sangha managed to shake off the attention of Albion defenders but slammed his shot into the side netting.
Jamie Barrett had a golden chance to give the Moatmen the lead on 12 minutes when former Albion defender Colin Hoyle sent over a superb cross from the right only for the midfielder to somehow plant his header wide with the empty goal gaping in front of him.
Gresley did get the ball in the net on 24 minutes through Nicky Carter only to see the assistant referee standing with his flag raised.
Ten minutes later Shaw found himself one-on-one with home keeper Tommy Whittle but the young custodian did well to deny the Albion frontrunner by blocking the shot with his legs.
Minutes later the ball was put over the bar by David Holmes from a free kick and the play swung to the other end where Jon Brayford's vicious shot cleared the Gresley bar by a fraction.
Manager Gary Norton made three changes at half time bringing on Paul Edwards, Matt Millns and Aaron O'Connor for Ravi Sangha, Andy Simpson and Steve Gomm and the home side were soon testing the Albion defence needing Martin Taylor to save well from Carl Slater.
The game livened up on 65 minutes when Shaw was upended by Whittle just inside the area. Daryl Clare chose to take the spot kick but the keeper redeemed himself by making a fine save.
However, the Albion didn't have to wait too long for they grabbed the lead on 74 minutes when Ducros fired a stinging low shot that beat Whittle at his near post.
Two minutes later Whittle made a tremendous save tipping over a deflected goal-bound shot.
For the final ten minutes Gresley were down to ten men seeing defender Gary White limp off the field with what looked like a thigh injury. This did not help them in trying to keep Nigel Clough's men at bay and on 82 minutes they doubled their advantage when Ducros again put in a shot to beat Whittle.
Although the Moatmen forced two late corners they could not breach the Albion defence.
Manager's View
"It was another good performance with a harsh result. For sixty-five minutes or so I thought we did really well and competed and I very was pleased and then we made changes, a couple of players coming on who had just come back off holiday and maybe the shape went a little bit.
I felt for the first goal we gave the ball away cheap and it was a great ball from Nigel (Clough) in behind the defence and I think it was a deflection that wrong footed Tommy.
Just prior to that Nigel put in the ball behind us and it resulted in the penalty and it was a good save from Tommy - I was pleased with that.
I was disappointed with the second goal. Just prior to that David Holmes had to come off with something in his eye and the move went down that side culminating in the second goal.
Overall, there were a lot of positives from our point of view particularly with the first half performance especially the front two. The rest of the side - I was delighted with the shape and their effort and application in that first half.
If anything I think we shaded the chances in the first half -if I'm bold to say and I think Nigel would agree but in the second half the quality came through in the end. We've got tired lads in there but that's what it's all about. It was a very satisfactory performance and the only down side from my point of view, apart from the second half performances of one or two players, was that Gary White as tweaked a hamstring. How serious that is we will know in the next twenty-four, forty-eight hours.
I was very happy with Ravi and Andy Spencer and I'm pleased to announce that Ravi has signed. I'm delighted with that one because it puts pressure on those other forwards at the club."
