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Bromwich Albion v Bradford City
The Hawthorns,
West Bromwich. 4th January 2003, 3.00pm. |
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After twenty minutes,
this game was over as a contest as Albion simply brushed a poor
Bradford team aside. Clinical finishing early on (yes, that's right
- clinical) from Dichio won the game, although the standard was
not maintained throughout.
With Gilly lacking match fitness, he remained on the bench with
Gregan continuing in defence. Wallwork continued in midfield with
Dichio partnering Roberts.
For the third home game in succession, Dichio scored with a header.
A neat cross from Adam Chambers in the fourth minute found DICHIO
unmarked in the centre of the goal and he beat Davison with ease.
The defending from Bradford was diabolical but it was a quality
cross from Chambers, something his counterpart on the left side
singularly failed to do throughout the match.
After Roberts was booked after protesting about a challenge by Molenaar,
Clement found himself in free on the left, but rather than going
to the by-line, he crossed from twenty yards out straight into the
'keeper's arms. On 11 minutes, Koumas showed him how to do it, when
he crossed from the left with a right foot in-swinging cross that
found DICHIO, unmarked again, and he finished with ease with another
header to put the Baggies two up.
A good run by Johnson almost brought a third but he was denied by
a tackle from Emanuel. But the third was not far away. Roberts picked
up the ball on the halfway line and started one of his trademark
runs. With the defence backing off, he carried on to the edge of
the box only to find his way barred. He managed, however, to slot
a neat pass between the defenders to put DICHIO through on goal,
and the London-born striker slotted it past Davison.
It was Dichio's first career hat-trick and was completed in less
than fifteen minutes. We were all set for a rout but Albion stopped
playing and the game died. The rest of the first half consisted
of Bradford trying to get back into the game but only succeeding
in recording one attempt on goal, and Albion giving the ball away
time and again with Wallwork and, inevitably, Sigurdsson the worst
offenders.
Megson made two half time substitutions bringing Gilly on for a
welcome return to replace Gregan, and Dobie on for Roberts.
Albion stepped it up at the start of the second half and had some
good chances to extend the lead. One of the few passes that Wallwork
made to an Albion player found AJ in the box but he was denied by
a fine save from Davison. On 55 minutes, Dobie repeated Clement's
feat at White Hart Lane - Clement managed to beat his inane fear
of the eighteen yard line to advance a little further up field before
scuffing his cross but it fell to Dobie eight yards out with the
goal at his mercy, only for the Scottish international to pass the
ball wide of the post.
And that was about it for Albion as an attacking force. Bradford
played much better in the seoncd half but scarcely deserved the
consolation goal. A speculative twenty five yard shot from Jorgensen
cannoned back of the bar falling for substitute DANKS to finish.
It did perk the visitors up for the last ten minutes but the never
looked like making it more of a contest.
It was an easy win for Albion although the performance after the
first twenty minutes was less than impressive. But you see it time
and time again when a team storms into an early lead that they then
relax and lose concentration. I'm probably being over-critical but
it didn't give me a warm feeling inside, and certainly didn't make
for much of a spectacle. But a win's a win and that should breed
a bit of confidence.
RESULT - WEST BROMWICH ALBION 3 BRADFORD
CITY 1
Marks
Hoult - 7 - Very little to do, no chance with the goal.
A Chambers - 8 - Excellent performance, also looked good in midfield
when Wallwork went off.
Clement - 4 - Never under pressure defensively, but still produced
next to nothing.
Gregan - 7 - Good solid half, but never under pressure.
Moore - 7 - Ditto.
Sigurdsson - 6 - Same as always.
Koumas - 7 - Quality cross for the second goal, otherwise quiet.
Johnson - 8 - Another excellent performance.
Wallwork - 3 - Has an absolute nightmare throughout, Eventually
subbed, although half an hour too late.
Dichio - 8 - MOM. If only for the goals - clinical finshing.
Roberts - 7 - Had a better half than of late, great run for the
third goal.
Dobie - 6 - Looked lively but never really threatened.
Gregan - 7 - Great to have him back.
Balis - 6 - Did OK, one good run and cross late on.
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Bromwich Albion (3-5-2):
Hoult; Sigurdsson, Moore, Gregan (Gilchrist 45); A Chambers, Koumas,
Wallwork (Balis 85)), Johnson, Clement; Roberts (Dobie 45), Dichio.
Subs not used: Jensen (GK), J Chambers.
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Bradford
City (4-4-2):
Davison; Uhlenbeek, Molenaar, Bower, Jacobs; Francis, Standing,
Jorgensen, Emanuel; Gray, Juanjo (Danks 56). Subs not used: Beach
(GK), Forrest, Evans, Reid. |
Scoring: Dichio (4)
1-0, Dichio (11) 2-0, Dichio (19) 3-0, Danks (79) 3-1.
Bookings: West Bromwich Albion - Roberts (dissent 6). Bradford City
- Molenaar (foul 46)
Referee: D Elleray (Harrow-on-the-Hill)
Attendance: 19,909 |
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