New Years Day preview

North Staffs Football kicks off the New Year with a full fixture list.

Stoke City look to bounce back from their 2-0 defeat to Fulham with another match at the Britannia against Everton.

Britannia Stadium

Tony Pulis has called for Jermaine Pennant to keep focused after signing a two-and-a-half-year deal from Spanish side Real Zaragoza.

David Moyes’s side are the visitors and boast just two wins away from Goodison Park, but the Toffees could prove hard to break down, having drawn six on their travels.

In League Two, Port Vale will have to put aside worries over Micky Adams departure as they travel to Yorkshire side Rotherham.

Rotherham would leapfrog Vale with a win, as Adams’s men look to bounce back from a second successive defeat to Gillingham on Boxing Day.

Burton Albion welcome play-off contenders Shrewsbury Town to the Pirelli Stadium. The Brewers have slipped down to 14^th and are in need of a win to boost their own play-off chances.

The Shrews are poor travellers for their league position and have notched just three wins.

In the Blue Square North, Stafford Rangers face a tough test at AFC Telford as Tim Flowers searches for his first league win at the helm.

Rangers sit 20^th and are desperate for a win to lift themselves out of the relegation spots, but having netted only twice on their travels so far this campaign the odds are certainly stacked against them.

In the Evo Stik Division One South, Kidsgrove Athletic and Leek Town battle out a North Staffordshire derby at the Seddon Stadium.

Grove will be hoping to push home advantage as they look to challenge for a top two finish this season, whilst Leek’s prerogative is merely survival. The Blues haven’t kicked a ball in anger since November 23.

Elsewhere, Newcastle Town travel to Market Drayton Town.

NSF predictions

Stoke City 1 Everton 1

Burton Albion 1 Shrewsbury 2

Rotherham 2 Port Vale 2

AFC Telford 3 Stafford Rangers 0

Kidsgrove Athletic 2 Leek Town 1

Market Drayton 1 Newcastle Town 3

Let North Staffs Football know your score predictions!

Burton snap up ex-Hull midfielder

Burton Albion have signed former Hull City midfielder Bryan Hughes on an initial one-month deal.

The 34-year-old was released by the Tigers in the summer and has been training with the Brewers.

Manager Paul Peschisolido told BBC Radio Derby that he expects Hughes to be be a great signing for the League Two play-off chasers.

He said: “He oozes quality, he has excellent feet, great vision and awareness and a lot of experience.

“He has enjoyed his time training with us and it gives us a chance to have a better look at him.

“And it suits him as he has been at Hull in the Premier League where he played at the highest level and for one reason or another he hasn’t managed to get a contract and he wants to get back in the shop window.

“It helps us and if it helps him then great and we’ll see how it goes.”

Hughes played for Wrexham, Birmingham and Charlton before joining Hull in the summer of 2007.

Burton Albion look to turn around away form

Burton Albion travel to Accrington Stanley tomorrow (December 18) looking for their second win away from the Pirelli Stadium this season, writes Sam Worth.

Manager Paul Peschisolido has been hampered with the news that centre-half Tony James, 34, will be sidelined for the festive fixtures with a hamstring injury picked up in training.

Peschisolido told Sky Sports: “Tony tweaked his hamstring last Friday which is why he wasn’t on the bench against Southend.

“Fortunately, Ryan Austin was fit enough to come back and he gave us the cover we needed.

“The timing of Ryan’s return was perfect from my point of view because Tony could be out for two weeks, possibly a bit longer.”

Paul Peschisolido

James has been playing a supporting role this season, with Darren Moore and Nathan Stanton making the positions their own.

Aaron Webster capped a convincing 3-1 victory over Southend last time out with a superb curling effort from thirty yards; which also marked Albion’s 100th goal in the football league.

Burton now sit twelfth in the Npower League Two table just four points behind Torquay United who currently occupy the final play-off spot. And if the Brewers are set about mounting a play-off push then their away form has to improve.

This weekend’s trip to 19th place Accrington Stanley could be tough; similar to Burton, Stanley’s away form is letting them down, but on their own soil they have only succumbed to defeat in two of their eight games.

Albion have taken 12 points from their last six games and a lot of thanks will be going to manager Peschisolido who joined in 2009.

Peschisolido ruled out the chances of a move to Championship outfit Sheffield United after Gary Speed’s departure this week.

The current Brewers’ boss made 102 appearances as a player for the Blades, scoring 23 goals between 2001 and 2003.

Burton Albion boss hails gritty win over Southend

Burton Albion boss Paul Peschisolido has praised his side’s work rate after their 3-1 win over Southend United on Saturday (December 11), writes Liam Staley.

The Brewers lead the visitors 2-0 at the break through Jacques Maghoma and an own goal from Luke Prosser.

Blair Sturrock netted six minutes into the second-half to give the visitors a lifeline but Aaron Webster sealed the win with a superb curling effort.

Despite the win, Peschisolido admitted that the Brewers passing was poor, but praised his side’s persistence.

He told BBC Radio Derby: “It was satisfactory. I can’t say I was happy with the first half performance; in fact it was probably one of our worst. Our passing was poor but at least the work rate and endeavour was there.

Paul Peschisolido

“We closed them down well but we just kept giving them the ball – but at least we kept going.”

Peschisolido also hailed the performance of Congolese midfielder Maghoma, who played a starring role in securing Albion’s win with a goal and an assist.

He added: “I thought Jacques (Maghoma) was superb. That is two good games now and we have given him a challenge to keep going because on his day he is unplayable, but he’s got to be on his day every week.”

The opening exchanges of the game were scrappy as both sides lacked any fluency.

The Brewers won a penalty against the run of play on 12 minutes after former Shrewsbury centre-back Graham Coughlan fouled James Collins just inside the box, but the Aston Villa loanee squandered the chance and fired wide of the post.

Burton found their feet and should have opened the scoring when Andy Corbett’s cross was met by an unmarked Webster but he could only divert his volley straight at the Southend’s stopper Glenn Morris.

Collins missed another golden chance in the 28th minute after the striker played a neat one-two with Webster before shooting wide of the far post.

Pirelli Stadium

Eight minutes later, Albion’s goal did come through Maghoma. Russell Penn placed a low drilled cross into the path of Maghoma who on was on hand to fire home from close range.

Albion doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time thanks to an own goal. Scott Malone whipped in a long range free kick which Prosser diverted into his own net.

Southend started the second-half much brighter and were rewarded with a goal virtually straight away, made by two substitutes.

Ryan Hall was fouled by Adam Bolder and it was Hall’s free kick which found a rising Sturrock who headed past a sprawling Adam Legzdins.

The goal gave Southend some brief momentum as Legzdins was on hand to brilliantly palm away Barry Corr’s shot inside the box.

On 57 minutes the Brewers got the match-winning third goal courtesy of Webster. Collins intercepted the ball but it was Maghoma who broke away and found Webster in the centre. Webster then curled a sublime left footed shot into the top corner from 25 yards to bring up Albion’s 100th goal in the Football League.

Scott Malone nearly set up Albion’s fourth goal but substitute Shaun Harrad’s effort was excellently tipped around the post by keeper Glenn Morris seven minutes from time.

The win moves Albion up to 12th and four points off the elusive play-offs.

Did you go the match? Can Burton Albion compete to grab one of those play-off spots? Let North Staffs Football know your thoughts.

Burton Albion game passes initial pitch inspection

Burton Albion’s home game with Southend United has been given the go ahead after an initial pitch inspection, writes Jack Adams.

The fixture tomorrow (December 11) got the green light after a break in the recent bout of cold weather.

Pirelli Stadium

A statement released on the club’s official website said: “We have seen a significant thaw overnight and our ground staff will continue to work through the night to ensure that the pitch is playable tomorrow.”

If required, a further pitch inspection will take place at the Pirelli Stadium tomorrow morning.

Burton Albion vs Torquay United – OFF

Burton Albion‘s match against Torquay United has been postponed following a midday pitch inspection, writes Matt Wagg.

Albion were due to make the 180mile trek to the Plainmoor stadium, but The Gulls have confirmed that their ground is a victim of the cold conditions.

Bad weather has forced many league sides to postpone their matches for the coming weekend.

An alternative fixture between Torquay and Burton is yet to be arranged.

Match Preview: Burton Albion vs Bury

Burton Albion play host to high flyers Bury at the Pirelli Stadium on Saturday (Nov 20), writes James Hale.

Paul Peschisolido’s men will be hoping to build on their first away win of the campaign last week at Chesterfield, while the visitors have lost their last two league games and will be looking to bounce back.

The Brewers are still without veteran full-back Paul Boertien and striker Greg Pearson (ankle)
is also a major concern.

Pirelli Stadium

Bury also have injury concerns of their own. They are without striker Andy Bishop (tendinitis) and
goalkeeper Cameron Belford (broken leg).

This is only the fourth occasion in which the side have met and both will be looking for a win to start cementing a place near those lucrative play-off places.

Victory for Albion could see them rise to within touching distance of the play-offs, whilst victory for
the visitors could see them move into the automatic promotion places.

Kick-off is 3.00pm at the Pirelli Stadium.

North Staffs Football predicts: Burton Albion 2-1 Bury

Burton Albion take on table toppers

Burton Albion face their toughest game of the season when they travel to the b2net
stadium to take on high flying Chesterfield this Saturday (Nov 13), writes Jonathan Moulds.

Burton are searching for their first win in three games while it’s a completely different
story for Chesterfield.

The Spireites continue to lead the way in League Two and John Sheridan’s men
are currently on seven-match unbeaten run which makes Paul Peschisolido’s job a
whole lot harder.

The Brewers prepare to take on League 2 leaders

Burton Albion defender Darren Moore has completed a one-match ban and is available
for selection, but may have to settle for a place on the bench.

Fellow defender Aaron Webster is also pushing for a start as he impressed in the Brewers 1-0 FA Cup win
against Oxford United last weekend, scoring the winner in the 85th minute.

Chesterfield striker Dean Morgan could be included after recovering from a hamstring
injury.
Fellow frontman Craig Davies is expected to return after being rested for the FA Cup tie
with Harrow last week.

Kick-off is 3.00pm and North Staffs Football predicts a 2-1 Chesterfield win.

Port Vale apology to Burton Albion’s Darren Moore

Bill Bratt

Port Vale have issued an apology to Burton Albion centre-back Darren Moore after racial abuse.

A minority of Vale fans have been reported to the Football Association after Moore received racially-abusive comments during the Staffordshire derby on November 2.

Vale chairman Bill Bratt said: “We are deeply shocked and saddened but these reports which bring the good name of Port Vale into disrepute.

“The club has always prided itself on the excellent work undertaken by our Valiants against racism inititative, and this work cannot be undone by a small, mindless minority.

“I will ensure our safety officer is aware that any supporter using racially-abusive language will suffer an immediate life ban from the Vale Park. This kind of bigoted behaviour is not acceptable at Port Vale Football Club.”

The game ended in a 0-0 stalemate.

Burton Albion through but Vale scrape late equaliser

Burton Albion and Port Vale have made into in the draw for the second-round of the FA Cup this weekend, writes North Staffs Football’s James Hale.

Aaron Webster struck late to secure victory for Burton Albion as they knocked out fellow League Two side Oxford United.

Left-back Webster met Scott Malone’s cross to power his header home five minutes from time.

His goal means the Brewers will now face Chesterfield at the Pirelli Stadium, game to be played over the weekend November 27/28.

Albion had the better of the first half, but the U’s defence stood strong, with Steve Kinniburgh clearing off the line from James Collins effort.

Pirelli Stadium

Webster was then introduced in the 70th minute and his header secured the victory.

Oxford had a great opportunity late on but Tom Craddock saw his shot deflected wide.

Burton boss Paul Peschisolido told BBC Sport of his delight at seeing hard work prevail.

He added: “The first half we showed patient build-up and played some great stuff.

“They put bodies behind the ball and we passed it for fun, created opportunities and were unfortunate not to hit the target.

“But I told the guys to keep patient and in the second-half all the hard work would pay off – and it did.”

Albion’s attention now switches back to League Two, and a weekend trip to Chesterfield as both side’s eye each other up ahead of their FA Cup clash in three weeks.

Meanwhile, Port Vale salvaged a late equaliser to earn a replay against non-league minnows Dartford.

Dartford opened the scoring in the 39th minute when Darts’ skipper Elliot Bradbrook slotted home past keeper Stuart Tomlinson.

This appeared to be the winner until the 85th minute when McCombe was on hand to bundle the ball over the line to deny Dartford a famous victory.

It was perhaps a harsh result on the home side who really took it to Micky Adams’s men, but Vale will breath a sigh of relief as the two sides will battle it out again at Vale Park.

The victors will then face a home tie against Accrington Stanley in the second-round of the competition.

For highlights of Vale’s trip to Kent click below: