Burton Albion Preview

[Match Reports]

With just four weeks of the Conference season left, the play off race is gathering momentum, and two of the contenders meet at the Pirelli Stadium in what is a vital game for both clubs. City's undeserved 4-2 defeat at home to 12 man Accrington Stanley last week coupled with good results for other clubs means that the Minstermen need a good result from this game, with some even tougher matches ahead.

Team News

For City, manager Billy McEwan was furious at referee Shaun Procter - Green, the useless, inept referee who has cost City 5 points in just two games this season (Accy and Scarborough). McEwan said, "If you have an official as inadequate as that I may as well not be a manager of a football club because it's a waste of time when idiots like him spoil the game." This weekend McEwan also has a number of injury worries. James Dudgeon and Neal Bishop were both forced off on Saturday with minor injuries, with Bishop's in particular worrying. Also, Mark Convery and Nathan Peat haven't trained this week. The fitness of the above four could mean McEwan has to choose a very different looking line up should neither of them be available.

For Burton, the FA Cup run earlier in the season has left them with a significant amount of money to strengthen their squad. Therefore they have signed experienced Conference goalscorer Daryl Clare from Crawley Town. Clare didn't make his debut last week in the 2-1 win at Altrincham, and with youngster Shaun Harrad scoring the winner he may have to wait a while longer for his full debut. Former City loanee striker Jon Shaw was injured in the Alty game and it is uncertain as to whether he will play. However, one striker that will not feature is Dale Anderson, who has recently joined Moor Green on loan. Influential skipper Darren Stride was also unavailable last week and may not feature.

Possible Teams

City: porter; price, dudgeon, mcgurk, peat; convery, panther, bishop, dunning; donaldson, bishop. Substitutes: reid, merris, o'neill, stewart, hotte.

Burton: deeney; webster, corbett, tinson, rowett; gilroy, ducros, hall, taylor; clare, harrad. Substitutes: henshaw, austin, taylor, moore, shaw.

Current Form Guide

City - WWWWDL - Tamworth (H), Forest Green Rovers (H), Dagenham and Redbridge (A), Gravesend and Northfleet (H), Canvey Island (A), Accrington Stanley (H).

Burton - DWLWLW - Aldershot Town (A), Cambridge United (H), Accrington Stanley (A), Stevenage Borough (A), Hereford United (H), Altrincham (A).

Last Season

Burton 0-2 City

A rare good performance for City, who were superb in defence and goals from bishop and groves sealed a deserved win.

Useful Links

http://www.burtonalbionfc.co.uk/ - Official Site
http://www.cloughthemagicdragon.co.uk/ - Burton Fanzine
http://www.brewersnet.com/ - Brewers Net
http://www.burtonalbion-mad.co.uk/ - Burton Albion Mad
http://magicdragon.proboards19.com/index.cgi?board=general - Message Board
http://yorkcityfc.com/pl - Predictions League
http://yorkcityfc.com/away/burton.php - Away Travel page
http://yorkcityfc.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=4 - Catch A Match Forum