Pre Match
The pre match stress kicked in around 3pm for yours truly as I sat in a pub near Victoria Station in London with two honorary Baggies for the evening from the ‘Land Down Under’ for the jaunt into the jellied eels territory.
An underground travel pass purchased and we were on our way to the famous Albion pub tucked away in the back streets of Bethnal Green. This is where the Aussie lads and I met with Northy, Bedford and BaggieboyGeoff and shared a few jars in the memorabilia packed footie pub. I signed the guestbook and admittedly put my address as my Australian one – a bit more exotic I thought! With a few other Baggies in tow we set off back into the capital’s maze.
Upton Park Station is where I met with my usual Baggies companion (BrumUniBaggie) and after a rather unwelcoming drink in a local Hammers boozer we headed into the ground.
The Team
…was actually exactly as I had predicted for once. Carson, Reid, Tamas, Ibanez, Scharner, Dorrans, Morrison, Brunt, Thomas and Odemwingie. A solid side and the best we could put out considering injuries and suspensions that have been picked up lately.
First Half
A pretty uneventful first half saw the possession reasonably shared without either side really threatening. Paul Scharner, however, was giving the ball away like he really didn’t like the look of it. The game sparked into life in the 38th minute when Mike Dean pointed to the spot; although what, I don’t really know as we were attacking the other end. Peter Odemwingie stepped up as Brum Uni Baggie faced the wall at the back of the stand right behind us. He slotted a cool penalty to the right of Robert Green’s goal. 1-0!!! Cue the obligatory boing boing and The Lord’s My Shepherd routine. As we were still fresh from the taking the lead, the disappointing Scharner dallied on the ball 30 yards out and was picked off by Carlton Cole. A few passes/ricochets later Parker smacked an impressive strike into the top corner. 1-1 at half time. I yelled at Scharner.
Second Half
A more frantic second period had just got going when the Hammers were awarded a penalty of their own. Apparently Tamas bundled over Dyer – again it was at the other end. Frederic Piquionne slotted West Ham in front. Personally, I didn’t think we would come back. Piquionne dragged a shot inches wide not too long after the penalty had gone in. We were on the ropes slightly. However, when a sublime Brunt delivery arrived in the box begging to be put in, Pablo Ibanez arrived right on cue to ‘Hammer’ Albion level. We enjoyed that at the back of the Trevor Brooking Stand and once again Psalm 23 was being sung at the top of our voices. 2-2, could we now go on and win it? No. A draw was probably a fair result, we had a bit of late pressure and we were probably the more likely but Odemwingie had been taken off for Fortune and we lacked that cutting edge.
Our Nigerian striker really makes a difference in our side and I think we will see plenty from him during the rest of the campaign. We really suffered without Youssouf Mulumbu however, he battles and doesn’t try to do things too spectacular and I think we could have done with that at Upton Park. Steven Reid at full back was fantastic, some great challenges and gut busting runs, he could well keep his place at right back even when Jara becomes available.
Also a special mention must go to Giles Barnes who I thought was fantastic when he came on for Thomas. He attacked on the right and really gave the West Ham fullback something to think about.
So…
Not a bad point really. We have stopped the run of defeats even though it was only two. Wigan Athletic away on Saturday and we must see it as a very winnable game in my opinion.
Overall, on a personal level, I had a great day and had the pleasure of meeting some great new people which I seem to do at most Albion away games now and got to celebrate two goals away from home.
Wbamatt (a pretty content Baggie).