On Tuesday 1st September I visited Burton Albion’s Pirelli Stadium for the first ever time to watch Chesterfield play Burton in the first round of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

We set off in plenty of time but after a few problems finding the ground we about 15 minutes before kick off. After getting some pictures outside the ground we entered the Pirelli Stadium, which only opened in 2006, for the very first time.

The first thing that surprised me was that despite being a brand new ground, 3 sides were standing terraces with just the one side (the one we sat in) all seated. The stadium was also unfortuanetly quite empty with a crowd of just 1,493 alot of who were Chesterfield fans!

The game got of to a good start with Wade Small putting the Spireites 1-0 up after just 17 minutes. Small outran the Burton Albion defenders and put the ball past the keeper to score his first goal for Chesterfield since signing last saturday. Chesterfield were 2-0 up on 38 minutes with an amazing shot that Artur Krysiak, Burton’s keeper had no chance of reaching.

During half time we had a good look round the inside of the ground getting plenty of photos, and I also got photos with Chesterfield’s Paul Harsley and Donal McDermott who is on loan from Manchester City, and Chesterfield coach Shane Nicholson.

In the second half the Brewers got of to a better start scoring after just 60 seconds after the half kicked off with a goal from John McGrath. Burton Albion began to play quite well after that and had a few chances but on the 62nd minute Wade Small scored his second of the night and Chesterfield’s third with a lob over the keeper. Many of the Albion fans and players argued that Small was offside but the goal stood.

Donal McDermott, brought on after the 3rd goal in place of Jack Lester along with Paul Harsley who replaced Derek Niven, set up Jamie Lowry with a nice cross to scramble the ball over the line and put Chesterfield’s victory beyond doubt. Finally on the 90th minute Drew Talbot scored his second goal with a beautiful 35 yard lob to give Chesterfield a superb 5-1 victory.

I had a great time at Burton Albion, a nice little ground and a great result sent me home happy.

Our first view of the Pirelli Stadium

Infront of the main entrance

In the club shop

The Pirelli Stadium

The Chesterfield fans

With Shane Nicholson at Half Time

With Paul Harsley at Half Time

With Donal McDermott at Half Time

The Burton Albion mascot

Notts County’s manager Ian McPaland who was sat behind us

The stand we sat in

With Jordan Bowery after the game