Making our way up the A38 we pick up an extra passenger so it’s nice and cosy with the three big lads in the back. We arrived at the recommended drinking hole 40 minutes before opening time so had to make our own entertainment. Thanks Chris for explaining about your new walking aids and showing us your platforms and luckily we only saw THREE magpies!!!
After taking on board liquid refreshments we headed towards the ground. No disrespect to Sheffield Wednesday, their chairman or supporters but it’s like going back in time when you enter the stadium. Old fashioned catering kiosks, narrow gangways and poor facilities all add to the character of this once famous ground.
The Line Up
As expected Cech was in to replace the injured Mattock, Thomas had declared himself fit, apart from that it was the same team that demolished Bristol last week.
The game started brightly with both teams attacking on every occasion but Grant in the Wednesday goal was the busier of the two ‘keepers making good saves from Brunt, Cox, Jara and Moore.
Albion started to settle down and with the free flowing football beginning to take control, it was only a matter of time before the break through came.
On 23 minutes Dorrans swung in a left wing corner which seemed pretty innocuous but the goal hungry Cox lost his marker to volley past Grant. 1-0 to Albion!
This just spurred the Albion players on and appeared to knock the confidence out of the Owls. The back-four looked comfortable, Jara and Dorrans were dominating the midfield, Brunt and Thomas were always available as an outlet on the wings and Moore and Cox working hard up front to create space and chances.
Grant was kept busy but could do nothing to stop Cox adding to the scoring on the half-hour mark after a flowing move down the left side again. 2-0 to Albion!
The Baggies were slicing the home defence open at ease and when Dorrans launched the ball down the wing, it was controlled by Thomas who exchanged a one-two with Cox and then ran on to shoot past a despairing Grant in to the bottom corner. 3-0 to Albion before half-time!
After the break
It was no surprise when Brian Laws decided to bring on young Beevers straight after to replace Tommy Spurr in the heart of the defence to try and stop the onslaught.
With Albion in such dominating form, we could quite easily have been 5 or 6 up at half-time!
In all honesty the second-half was a bit of an anticlimax, the home side not showing much in the way of creativity or attacking play and the Baggies just spraying the ball about at will, carving out chances and controlling the tempo of the game.
Chris Brunt had a quiet game and when Wood found him with a wonderful ball in the 85th minute, the winger calmly slotted past Grant but out of respect for the Wednesday fans he didn't celebrate, fair play to him. 4-0 to Albion!
On reflection
Once again Carson and the back-four looked confident and in control, although Zuiverloon didn't have one of his better games. Dorrans dominated the midfield alongside the majestic Jara who won tackles, pushed forward then tracked back when needed, sprayed the balls out wide for Thomas and Brunt to add pace and fear into the opposition defence.
Up front Cox is looking the quality striker we thought he was and one particular turn in the second-half deserved better and would have crowned a brilliant hat-trick. A special mention to Luke Moore who, although didn't get on the score-sheet is at long last showing the potential and quality he has as a footballer. He's working hard to create chances for others, links the play up well and even tracks back now and seems to want to be part of the team instead of an individual.
Another excellent all round performance from a team full of confidence, who look to be enjoying their football, all working together and there doesn't seem to be any stars or ‘big-time Charlies. Well done RDM and his backroom staff. Keep up the good work!
And just when we thought the day couldn't get any better, on our exit from the ground we came across the caterers selling pies for a pound, another great result!
With the scum drawing at home we just need the Blue Noses to get three points and it will be a near perfect weekend.
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LIVE SCORES
