Albion Scoreboard 2003-04 [R]

[jw]

Didn't get to listen, as...A) my youngest had her 4th birthday party, and, B) A snow storm here in New England has me shoveling every hour to keep my house from being covered!

From reading reports, the stats reveal that we had the shots-on-target advantage 6:2, and a 58:42% possession advantage. Too bad the strikes were right at James. Our biggest effort was for the first 45', then fatigue came into play.

Sounds like 1:1 after Wednesday's effort is acceptable as Hammers are one of a handful we expected to challenge for promotion.
Hope to see some video on Albion World shortly.

I wonder if Deech's hernia will speed up the pursuit of Ashton from Crewe?? Or...whomever is on Megson's radar screen.

[John Boy]

Bradford City 0 West Bromwich Albion 1

Dobie in the 88th. 'Big Dave' started, and Hughes came on in the second half.

Don't know much about the game itself as I had to write an assignment nowhere near a radio :(

[DevilDave]

Here's the match report I cobbled together as I could not listen to the match here at work but could get the commentary by alternate means...

Two years ago, it was a late Igor Balis penalty at Bradford's Valley Parade ground that vaulted West Bromwich Albion into the driver's seat in the race for the automatic promotion spot during the 2001-02 season.

Perhaps a bit of deja vu this evening, as Scott Dobie provided late heroics in the 88th minute, heading a cross from Sakiri into the Bantams' net. His strike was the difference on an evening of missed chances for both teams.

Albion extended its lead over second-placed Sheffield United in the First Division, after the Blades beat Walsall tonight.

[DevilDave]

West Bromwich Albion 2 - Crewe Alexandra 2

It took a Sean Gregan goal, a well hit shot off a cross from Paul Robinson, to salvage a point against Crewe this afternoon at The Hawthorns.

Bernt Haas gave the Albion a promising start with a goal seven minutes in, but the Alex responded 10 minutes later as Steve Jones knocked in a corner kick. Crewe then seized the lead in first half stoppage time as David Wright knocked in a Jones cross.

Albion remain at the top of the table, but the gap over second-place Norwich City is only two points, after the Canaries' 4-1 thrashing of Cardiff City.

[DevilDave]

West Bromwich Albion 0 Arsenal 2, Carling Cup quarterfinal

Despite a valiant effort, Albion's run in the Carling Cup ended this evening at the hands of the Gunners.

The Baggies controlled much of the play from the whistle, creating several good chances including a James O'Connor ball that found the net but was called offside. Moments after that, Nwankwo Kanu got Arsenal's first after finding the rebound from his header saved by Russell Hoult.

Try as the Albion could, they could not find an equaliser after coming dangerously close several times. Jeremie Aliadiere put the finishing touches for the Gunners in the second half after Hoult misplayed a ball straight to him. Aliadiere finished into the open net.

[DevilDave]

After hearing a game full of frustrating close-but-no-cigar finishing, I think it's clearly time to bring in a good finisher. And the aforementioned Horsfield and/or Huckerby may be the one or two we may need.

[DevilDave]

Coventry City 1 - West Bromwich Albion 0

A late goal from Johnnie Jackson - a midfielder on loan to Coventry from Spurs - gave the Sky Blues a smash & grab win over the Albion this afternoon at Highfield Road.

In the 89th minute, Patrick Suffo (whom Albion fans remember as one of the guilty parties during the Battle of Bramall Lane) played a ball into the box, which fell for Jackson to finish past Russell Hoult.

Poor finishing doomed the Baggies yet again. Albion had most of the chances in the first half, including a Hulse header that grazed the crossbar. But Coventry were far more aggressive in the second half.

Albion remain top of the First Division at the moment, pending the result of Sunday's East Anglian derby between Norwich City and Ipswich Town. The Canaries can go top with a win.

[John Boy]

Proper crap today, but at half time they had some scantily clad 'Mrs Claus' dancers, certainly the aspect of American sports (i.e. cheerleaders) that I'd be quite happy for us English (I don't want to say Brits as I couldn't give a XXXX what the scots or welsh do) to introduce.

Sod it. Merry Christmas to all Baggies!!!!!

Boing Boing!

(Still) Top Of The League, Havin' a Laugh!

[DevilDave]

My question is, did the Horse look as crap as some of the others today? At least it sounded like he was creating some chances today, but the Sky Blues defenders were marking him and Hulse closely.

So they've got cheerleaders at Coventry, do they? Cheerleaders in American sport don't really add anything to the atmosphere... but I agree, they are generally a nice diversion to look at, especally when you're team's not doing so well. :D

[DevilDave]

Well we're coming up to Christmas and we've been knocked off the top of the league. :( But we're still in a position to win the First Division, and the primary goal is still at least promotion.

I would like to echo John Boy's sentiments and wish my fellow Baggies BigSoccer posters (all five of us?) a Merry Christmas (or a Happy Chanukah if you like) and a prosperous New Year (for the Albion especially)!

[DevilDave]

West Bromwich Albion 1 - Derby County 1

A dreadfully played match, and for a moment it looked like Coventry away all over again. Derby's Candido Costa grabbed a goal in the 86th minute and it looked like Albion were going to lose all three points at home.

But Thomas Gaardsoe headed into the Rams' net in the 90th minute to preserve a lone point.

[DevilDave]

Milton Keynes Franchise FC 0 - West Bromwich Albion 0

A second poorly played draw in a row against lower end of the table opposition this evening at the National Hockey Stadium. Not much more need be said. :mad:

[DevilDave]

Nottingham Forest 1 - West Bromwich Albion 0, FA Cup Third Round

A nightmare re-lived as Albion go out of the Cup in the third round again, this time to First Division rivals Nottingham Forest. In the 52nd minute, Geoff Horsfield brought down Forest's Mathieu Louis-Jean in the Albion box and Marlon King's pen was the only goal in the match.

And the Baggies didn't look like scoring yet again.

Dunno how we got in this rut, but there had better be some digging out of it and fast. :mad:

[jw]

Good Lord, could this be...542 minutes now since a forward has scored!
(Dobes in 88' v Bradford on Dec.9th)

[DevilDave]

West Bromwich Albion 2 - Walsall 0

The Baggies finally claimed their first points of 2004 with a win in this Black Country derby.

After a flurry of chances for the Saddlers early on, Albion began to control the match. They made their chances count in the second half as Jason Koumas score on a free-kick and Geoff Horsfield earned his first goal in an Albion shirt.

Albion solidified their hold on second-place in the First Division -- WBA is now five points ahead of third-placed Sheffield United and two behind league leaders Norwich.

[John Boy]

Originally posted by DevilDave

The Baggies finally claimed their first points of 2004 with a win in this Black Country derby.


Finally? It was the first chance we had :)

Norwich losing to Bradford means that we are still two points behind but on equal games played, unfortunately Sheffield United close the gap after a Pesky-dildo hat-trick.

[DevilDave]

Burnley 1 - West Bromwich Albion 1

A hard-working Baggies side earned a hard-fought draw at Turf Moor this afternoon, playing most of the match with only 10 men.

A reckless challenge by Rob Hulse on the Clarets' Rob McGregor in the 27th minute led to a straight red. The Baggies still kept creating good scoring chances, but it was Burnley that tallied first; Robbie Blake put away a ball left between Gaardsoe and Hoult.

A brilliant run by Geoff Horsfield led to his second goal in an Albion shirt, preserving a point for the visitors.

[John Boy]

Sounded like a good performance based on the commentary, given that we were one man (and one goal) down.


Dichio did us a favour by scoring twice against Sunderland, and Norwich dropped points against Rotherham.


Just don't mention the result from down the road...

[DevilDave]

Originally posted by John Boy
Just don't mention the result from down the road...

Umm.. perhaps the only thing that need be said is that it will be a fond memory for them. But not much else.

[DevilDave]

West Bromwich Albion 3 Watford 1

Sorry... I missed this match as I was in the process of moving. However, the Baggies' only two strikers on the teamsheet did a decent job of brushing aside the Hornets apparently. Perhaps the ship has been righted?