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BURTON ALBION REACH VASE CLIMAX
By David Twigg
 BURTON Albion booked a place in tomorrow's Bass Vase Final after overcoming a youthful and keen Notts County side in stifling heat at Eton Park.
The Vase has so far eluded the Brewers under Nigel Clough, but their player-manager led by example last night as his team dominated most of an entertaining clash that opened in exciting fashion, with both sides scoring from their first attacks.
The Magpies, again welding together a side comprising youth teamers and triallists, surprised the healthy crowd by taking a fourth minute lead.
In an excellent move, Paul Riley’s crossfield pass was chested down by Shaun Harrod and Kris Nurse darted in behind Mark Blount to fire past Matt Duke from 10 yards.
Burton were soon on level terms though as two minutes later, Aaron Webster took a short corner to Clough and his cross was helped in by the sliding Sean Farrell at the near post.
Farrell, previously with the Magpies and skipper for the night in the absence of Darren Stride, looked especially sharp while at right-back, youngster Aaron Johnson gave a few glimpses of his blossoming talent.
Much of Burton’s work was crisp and precise. Passing was neat and the movement intelligent.
All which was missing in a one-sided first half was another Albion goal as somehow Notts escaped.
Glenn Kirkwood, later to land the knockout blow, was close with a diving header from Webster’s deep cross and Saul Deeney had to get down quickly to hold onto a Clough drive from 25 yards before, in the closing minutes of the half, Webster’s volley from Christian Moore’s cross was blocked in front of goal and then Steve Evans saw a low effort beaten out by Deeney with Webster’s follow-up striking Farrell.
The second period was understandably played out at a slower pace but still Albion called the tune.
Evans blazed over a gilt-edged chance from Dale Anderson’s square pass on 70 minutes but the pressure finally paid off with 19 minutes to go.
Clough stabbed a short pass to Kirkwood 20 yards out and his shot on the turn somehow squirmed away from the prone Deeney to give Albion a victory they thoroughly deserved.
Scorers: Farrell 6, Kirkwood 71 (Albion); Nurse 4 (Notts County).
Burton Albion: Duke (Robinson 74), Johnson (Evans 33), Hoyle, Kirkwood (Wraith 74), Blount, Clough, Henshaw, Kavanagh, Farrell (Anderson 64), Moore, Webster (Gummer 74).
Notts County: Deeney, Clarke (Richardson 65), Riley, Hudson, Foster (Screaton 70), Wilson, Appleby, Fenton (Bostock 88), Harrod, Nurse (Smith 45, Francis 64), Blackwood.
Referee: B Curson (Hinckley).
Attendance: 500 (est).
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