They gave it a go

Quality shows, and in the end, the part-timers at Burton Albion proved no match for the big boys at Manchester United, going down 5-0 in their FA Cup 3rd round replay. There'll be no shame when the Brewers return to their day jobs and go out for a pint after work tonight.

Man U coach Alex Ferguson, quoted in the Guardian, wasn't merely being generous with his praise:

All the credit should go to Nigel Clough and Burton," said Ferguson. "Nigel has done a fantastic job and he should be proud of them. We've had top European teams and Premiership clubs come here and put one up front, pack the midfield and bore the pants off everyone. Sometimes they get a result, sometimes they don't, but at least Burton came here with two up front. They played with belief and confidence and they showed that teams in the Conference are capable of playing good football."

This was a match for all of us who play in softball beer leagues, who throw the frisbee with other 40 somethings, who put on the pads at 1 am to skate in hockey rinks all over the world.

Good job, men.