Soccer Central

Little over two months ago; Burton Albion was 19 points out in front at the top of the Blue Square Premier, and looked an absolute certainty for promotion. Today the Burton fans were still biting their nails though as the title race went right down to the wire, with second placed Cambridge United still in with a chance of taking the title.

In order for Cambridge United to win the title; they had to rely on Burton Albion losing away at Torquay, and also had to make up a goal difference of 5. As it turned out; Burton Albion did indeed lose at Plainmoor, Cambridge United was unable to secure a win over Altrincham though, and Burton therefore won the league by 2 points.

Never in Burton’s history has the team ever played in the Football League before; that’s all set to change now though, and after 7 seasons in the Conference, Burton Albion has now won promotion to League Two.

Torquay United sealed their place in the play-offs with their win over Burton today, and will now face Histon in the play-off semi-finals for the chance to play either Cambridge United or Stevenage Borough at Wembley. It was at the semi-final stage that Torquay lost out last season, defeated by ultimate winners Exeter City, a team that is now one win away from automatic promotion to League One.

Elsewhere in the league today; Kidderminster Harriers and Oxford United were also hoping to make the play-offs, both teams lost though, and therefore finished in 6th and 7th respectively. The relegated teams had already been decided, it was a big day for those chasing promotion though, and sadly for Oxford especially; they had to face final day defeat in front of a bumper crowd of 10,298. Oxford United had to rely on results going their way in order to reach the play-offs; Torquay would have had to have lost, and Kidderminster could achieve no more than a point. As well as results going their way; Oxford also had to win their game against relegated Northwich Victoria though, and as Northwich was able to win a sixth game running, Oxford’s promotion hopes and dreams were therefore destroyed.

Burton Albion has finished the Blue Square Premier season very badly this season, and it’ll be interesting to see how the team copes in League Two. Nigel Clough was there to watch his old team secure the title today; he left before the final whistle though, and as soon as news was in that the Cambridge game was over and had ended in a draw; Clough was off, content that his former club had secured the title. It all went wrong for Burton after Nigel Clough left the club for Derby County back in January; Burton has still been able to secure promotion though, and now has games against such clubs as Bradford, Bournemouth, and Darlington to look forward to next season.

Many congratulations to Burton for reaching the Football League, and in the Blue Square Premier next season we also have some new teams to look forward to; Luton Town and Chester City will be the two teams joining the division from League Two, whilst AFC Wimbledon have won promotion form the Blue Square South, and Tamworth from the Blue Square North.

Best of luck to Burton Albion for life in the Football League next season, and good luck also to whichever team it is that ends up winning the play-offs. Torquay and Cambridge will both be looking to re-enter the Football League, Histon and Stevenage meanwhile will like Burton be hoping to join the ranks of the Football League for the first time in their history.

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.

A late goal from Jai Reason this evening meant that relegation candidates Woking suffered a home defeat against the promotion hopefuls Cambridge United. Reason is currently on loan from Ipswich, and will no doubt have been pleased with his 82nd minute winner.

Reason actually scored a late winner against Mansfield on March 10th, so although he’s only scored two goals since joining the Cambridgeshire club in February; his goals have been worth 6 points to United, and Cambridge is now second in the league, five points clear of Torquay.

Cambridge came second last season, losing in the play-off final against Exeter. The club will be hoping to go one better this season, once more reaching Wembley, but this time winning.

Aldershot striker Junior Mendes has joined Stevenage Borough on loan until the end of the season. The journeyman striker started out his professional career with Chelsea back in 1995, and Stevenage now becomes his twelfth professional club.

Mendes has been with Aldershot since February 2008, but has found his starting opportunities limited since signing for the club. He now takes the step down to the Blue Square Premier hoping to help Stevenage achieve promotion, with the club currently chasing the play-offs.

Mendes may make his Stevenage debut tomorrow as the club hosts fellow play-off hopefuls Oxford United. Stevenage has scored 59 league goals so far this season, and Junior Mendes will now be looking to strengthen the sides attack, and help the club improve its goal difference which currently stands at +14.

Stevenage Borough is now undefeated in 22 games, and the club hasn’t lost a competitive game since December 2nd.

Kevin Sandwith has today joined Oxford United from troubled Weymouth until the end of the season. With James Clarke having today moved across Oxford to join Oxford City, Sandwith now comes into the Oxford United squad in order to help the club try and push for promotion.

Sandwith previously played under current Oxford boss Chris Wilder at Halifax, and having impressed then will now be looking to once more shine under Wilder’s management.

Before joining Weymouth, Kevin Sandwith was previously at Chester City, and throughout his career has now played for no less than nine different clubs. Sandwith is certainly a very experienced player, and his strong experience will no doubt be a huge help to Oxford United going into the remaining games of the season.