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Rivals get same cup message
Story courtesy of Burton Mail
Burton Albion players will be told to “step up a gear” as they defend the Johnson Cup against Gresley Rovers at the Moat Ground tonight (7.30pm).
Manager Brian Kenning said today: “It’s a pre-season game with added spice and I’ll be looking for a bit extra from my team.“We’ve done reasonably well in our two friendlies so far, but there is room for improvement. The Gresley game is ideal because it will stretch us a little bit further and then on paper we have an even harder game to come against Kidderminster on Saturday.”
Kenning will be looking for Albion to polish up their passing game after a patchy display at Evesham on Saturday, when they were rescued by late goals from substitutes Craig Walklet and Adrian Doughty after they had trailed 3-1.
And he will be hoping that player-coach Alan Kurila, fresh from a holiday in Ireland, can tighten up the defence as the Brewers attempt to break the 1-1 deadlock from last seasons’s Eton Park leg.
Simon Redfern returns to midfield after missing Saturday’s trip and Kenning may also take the opportunity to blood reserve team keeper Mark Wheatley for at least part of the game.
Rovers boss Steve Dolby is also looking for a little extra from his players in the absence of key men.
Bob Aston and Paul Acklam will miss tonight’s game because of holidays but former Derby County man Robbie Briscoe will make his debut.
Dolby said: “It is a good test for us. Obviously, at this stage we are a week away from the start of the season and everybody will be fired up and trying to get into the side.
“We don’t quite have 100 per cent side because of holidays but it will give us a chance to have a look at some others.
The goalkeeper Lee Rippon is only 18. It will be a test for him and gives us a chance to see what he can do under pressure and the signing of Robbie Briscoe has gone a long way to tightening up the defence.”
Meanwhile, Rovers are hoping to complete the signing of former Wolves and Cheltenham midfielder Dave Read tomorrow. Read, 19, has played in all Rovers’ pre-season games so far.
