Burton 3 Derby 0 (NIL, NOUGHT, ZERO)

It's ONLY a reserve fixture. It's ONLY a game. It's ONLY Direby, but in whatever game, for whatever reason, in whatever circumstances, you just gotta enjoy beating the sheepshaggers.

In this, our inaugural season in the Central League, and having already beaten Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough, our Reserves face their strongest competition ever. The opportunities for the players on the fringes of the first team squad, the budding youth teamers and the hopeful trialists are clear and so far, Gary Rowett appears to have done an excellent job.

Shane Redmond gets another chance to prove himself in the Albion goal, Stride, "Freezer" Goodfellow, Webster & Knowles have yet to really prove themselves this season int he first team andthere are a few trialists on show too.

We have seen former Ram Richard Jackson at right back and Aaron Brown in central defence before. Aaron in particular looked very strong in the "behind closed doors" friendly away at Ilkeston the other week which we managed to sneak into. Also back looking for a contract are Dutch pair, former Galatasary player Ferdi Elmas and Nick van "Dyke" Eijsden. Yet another Congolese player also makes an appearance tonight in the shape of Serge Makofo.

Derby reserves contain a few apparently famous names who apparently are rather good. I could look them up, but why bother. They were rubbish and didn't look bothered so why should I? All that money they get paid to do nothing has clearly left them apathetic and wasteful. In goal for Derby is Saul Deeney who we got rid of last season because he was so bad. The fact he is captain made it all the more ridiculous.

Let's not underestimate the Brewers here though. Goals from Elmas and Van "Dyke" must again raise a few questions as to whether we can really afford to push our budget that little bit further and make another signing. I'd question the idea of this whilst we still appear to not get very good home attendances, although I'd love to see either or both of these players at The Rubberdome as they have something a little bit special.

Albion's 3rd was a typically well taken effort by the excellent Russell Penn who has been unlucky not to play more first team football as yet. His time will come I am sure, although Radio Direby's Colin Gibson insisted on calling him "Sean Penn". Idiot.

Colin Gibson is one of the Direby fans who thinks that Burton are nothing more than a minor irritation to their plans for world football domination. They will no doubt be very quick to mention that this was "only a reserve fixture" etc.

Three- Nil to The Albion.

Let's all point and laugh at Derby.