Burton 3 Cobblers 2

I didn't see all of the film "Goal" on Bank Holiday Monday, but I did manage to catch the predictable ending where the "hero" scores the winning goal and his girlfriend (played by the utterly convincing Anna Friel) in the crowd cries and all of his team mates take back what they said about him being a useless donkey in training. I still cried, which surprised me. Suspension of disbelief may be necessary in fiction but having Newcastle United actually winning something tested it somewhat. You could tell Alan Shearer was acting though as he didn't actually elbow anybody in the face.
On Saturday, Northampton Town left -back, Billy McKay DID elbow "Ronnie" Corbett in the face. Twice. The ref didn't see it. Twice. But as one wag on the terrace at the Rubberdome commented after the match. "What do you call a Brewers player with two black eyes? Nothing, You've already told him twice."
Perhaps McKay was a little annoyed at his team going 3 goals down to a rampant Burton Albion side within the first 12 minutes of the game. I was only 2 bites into my pre-match pie when Shaun Harrad chased down a loose back-pass to the Cobblers goalkeeper, took it off his toes and neatly slotted into an empty net. One nil.
Minutes later Michael "Simmo" Simpson drilled a hopeful ball into the box which deflected off Greg Pearson's chest and past a hapless Chris Dunn to make it two nil.
I'm still searching for a trace of steak dna in my pie when Jimmy Phillips goes past 3 players, finds Simmo in space with a pinpoint accurate cross and the ball is smashed home. Three nil. 12 minutes gone. And that was that.
Except Northampton were looking for a Hollywood ending of their own and, the wind at their backs, pulled 2 back in the second half after an aerial bombardment and a questionable penalty. Burton held out to claim the three points and move back up to 8th in the table.
Next week we visit moneybags Notts County to enjoy the company of Sol Campbell & Sven Goran Ericson for the afternoon. I wonder what the 'pies are like?