Brewers End Nailers' Impressive Run Of Pre Season Results.

On a wet and miserable July evening at the Raygar Stadium the Nailers took to the field minus at least four players who would normally be selected for the first team.

Despite this they competed very well with their full-time professional opposition, and it was only in the final ten minutes of the game that superior fitness told, and two quick goals spoilt the result for Belper.

In truth most of the attacking content in the first half came from the visitors, and they were particularly adept at timing their through passes perfectly, although the Nailers defended really well.

Josh Walker had two efforts go close in the 2nd and 7th minutes and Will Tamen flicked the ball over the top after a particularly impressive move from the Brewers.

The experienced striker Mustapha Carayol struck an effort just wide and then an error from Phil Watt on the half hour mark gave away possession and in a trice Ciaran Gilligan tucked the ball home from close it.

Walker went close with a header to the near post in the 35th minute and at the half time interval the Nailers were waiting for their first sight of the opposition goal.

Jonathan Hedge dived impressively to push round a brisk Walker drive early on in the second half, and an impressive Brewers team were providing a stern test for Lee Attenborough’s men.

The 59th minute provided a key moment in the game when Brewers ‘keeper Max Crocombe was dismissed for a foul on Rio Molyneaux as he flicked the ball past him to leave an open goal.

Declan Dunn’s free kick from the edge of the area rebounded back off the defensive wall, however Dunn swept the ball under replacement ‘keeper Kamil Dudek to score.

The game fully turned on its head in the 75th minute when Kevin Bastos’s pace forced Finn Delap into an ill-judged challenge leaving Bastos to bang home the spot kick to leave the Brewers trailing.

Belper’s lead was short lived as the pace of Walker resulted in a parried shot from Hedge and the ball came out to Charlie Lakin who restored parity from 16 yards.

The game then slipped away from the Nailers when first, a Danny South handball allowed the impressive Walker to convert from the penalty spot, and then game was over after a Dunn error was ruthlessly punished by Carayol with 2 minutes left.

Belper Town: Hedge, Rhodes, Algar, Dunn, South, Watt, Molyneaux, Martin, Bastos, Austin, Mackie (Gregory 71). Unused subs: Sutherill, Trialist, Johnson.

Burton Albion: Crocombe, Delap, Tamen, Oaks (Gilbert 41), Lakin, Kamuna, Gilligan, Page (Scott 78), Carayol, Gordon (Ludek 61), Walker. Unused subs: Ranger, Knowles, Rush.

Referee: Harry Jones

Att: 351