Rocester 0 Burton Albion 5

The Brewers barely broke sweat in despatching the Romans in style on Saturday, with goals from Danny Holmes, Jon Shaw, Aaron Webster and a brace from Irishman Keith Gilroy.

Albion started much the brighter of the two sides at Hillsfield, but had an early let off when goalkeeper Tom Gutteridge clearly picked up a backpass from right-back Terry Henshaw. However, play was waved on and the Brewers soon started fashioning chances of their own at the other end.

Chris Hall mis-hit a shot from 20 yards under little Rocester pressure after 16 minutes, but Albion only had to wait another three minutes to take the lead.

A Gilroy corner was partly cleared and another mis-hit strike from Hall was turned into the back of the net by midfielder Holmes from 12 yards.

Webster was beginning to stamp his authority down the left and an excellent through ball on 27 minutes allowed Shaw to steer the ball past Steve Harris for 2-0.

On 30 minutes, Harris saved well from Shaun Harrad after good work from Shaw, but the Romans stopper was beaten again two minutes later.

Another excellent through ball from Webster carved open the Rocester defence and allowed Gilroy to maraud into the box and place the ball into the net from a tight angle.

On 40 minutes, Rocester took off Paul Shore and Craig Heaney, giving run-outs to Coe and Johnson, and nearly pulled one back on the stroke of half-time.

Hall slid through left-back Carl Allen, with the resulting free-kick from Dave Brown deflecting off the wall and missing the far post by a whisker with Gutteridge motionless.

On 54 minutes, the outstanding Webster made it 4-0 after a powerful burst into the box and tidy finish.

Hall was replaced by Karl Wayte shortly after the goal after taking two heavy knocks.

After dominating the rest of the half, Albion were given a scare on 84 minutes when Romans target man Mark Ruddock — their best player on the day — headed over the bar from eight yards.

Albion rounded off the comfortable win on 87 minutes when Gilroy rose to nod home an excellent cross from substitute Hancock.

Burton Mail