Soccer Central

A win against Kidderminster Harriers today would have seen Burton Albion crowned the Blue Square Premier Champions; sadly it wasn’t to be though, and the club will now be hoping to claim the title when they play Oxford United on Friday, live on Setanta Sports.

Founded in 1950, Burton Albion has never before been in the Football League, and only entered the top level of non-league football in 2002 after promotion from the Northern Premier League. The club achieved its highest ever position in the league last season, for the first time ever making the play-offs, but ultimately losing out to Cambridge United (who then went onto lose against Exeter City in the final).

With two games to go; Burton Albion is 6 points ahead of second placed Cambridge United, and Cambridge therefore need to win both of their remaining games and Burton need to lose both of theirs if Burton isn’t to take the title this season. There’s also a goal difference of 11 for Cambridge to makeup, so although it’s still mathematically possible for Cambridge to win the league, it’s rather improbable, but due to Oxford United’s phenomenal league record of late it may well go right down to the wire nonetheless.

The Burton Albion players were not at their best today, and although took a first-half lead and perhaps should have had a second just before Kidderminster equalised; Kidderminster still deserved the win, and showed fantastic drive and determination once the equaliser was scored to go on and win the match.

The Burton players are looking very tired right now, and as they enter the last two games of their season there’s every possibility that they’ll now lose them both. Thankfully for them though, they’ve probably done enough already to win the title, and Cambridge United will have to score goals aplenty in their next two ties if they’re to snatch the title away from Burton.