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West
Bromwich Albion v Crewe Alexandra
The Hawthorns,
West Bromwich. 13th December 2003, 3.00pm. |
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It may have been another
home draw, making it four on the trot in the league, but it was
a far more entertaining spectacle that we have been treated to of
late. And had we defended with the same resoluteness that we have
become used to, it would've been a comfortable three points. But
two schoolboy errors cost use the points, although our unbeaten
record was stretched to eleven games.
The only real surprise of the starting line-up was the long-overdue
recall of Joost Volmer in place of Gilchrist, who's been on borrowed
time in my opinion. With there still no sign of another striker,
Lee Hughes made it to the bench once more.
I often say that Albion start brightly; against Crewe it was like
a battering ram. From the first whistle, both wing backs were flying
down the lines and for the first ten minutes it was a case of "how
many times" rather than "when" the Crewe net would be bulging.
Koumas and Gaardsoe both had shots deflected off target with Johnson's
20 yard volley, and a Crewe defender's header, both bringing excellent
saves from Clayton Ince.
The net finally bulged on seven minutes. Johnson nudged a free kick
to Koumas who, from twenty five yards out, curled an enticing free-kick
towards the far post. It cannoned off the post and the 'keeper and
fell invitingly for Bernt HAAS who thumped it inside the far post.
For a few minutes, Albion remained encamped in the Crewe half, and
O'Connor cam close to opening his Albion account with a low shot
that flew wide. Whether it was complacency, I'm not sure, but Albion
then dropped the pace and started to allow Crewe time on the ball.
Dario Gradi's side are always comfortable in possession, and they
started to get back into the game.
They won a corner on 18 minutes which was looped towards the near
post. It was over Gregan's head, but looked a comfortable catch
for Hoult. He started to come but stopped, Gaardsoe failed to react
and it fell onto the boot of Steve JONES who steered it into the
net from all of three feet.
Jones could've given Crewe the lead a few minutes later when he
headed wide as the goal galvanised the visitors and they took control
of the game.
But Albion seemed to weather the storm without any further scares
and started to press once more. Robinson was looking far more like
a wing back attacking the Crewe right back and putting in some dangerous
crosses, one of which was completely misjudged by Ince and rebounded
of the angle of post and bar.
Koumas was having a few moments of quality dancing into the Crewe
box, one cross met by Dobie. But it was a difficult chance and he
could only send it over the bar with a diving header.
Hulse, who was desperate to score against his old side, looked ponderous
all game and could only managed a few long range shots that failed
to test Ince. Koumas went close with a shot, but it was Crewe who
grabbed a goal before the interval.
It was another simple cross which some how fell between the Albion
defenders onto Ashton's head. He nodded it down for the on-rushing
WRIGHT to poke it past Hoult. Another terrible goal from Albion's
point of view.
Albion started the second half on the attack, but they were caught
on the break and were almost two goals behind when Tonkin lashed
a dangerous ball across the face of the Albion goal.
Megson soon made changes bringing Sakiri on for O'Connor and switching
to 4-4-2, swiftly followed by Lee Hughes who replaced Dobie. Personally,
I think Dobie looked far more dangerous than Hulse, and he was unlucky
to go off.
But it was Hulse who next tested the 'keeper. An excellent corner
from Sakiri was met powerfully by the head of Hulse, and somehow
Ince kept the ball out.
Albion were dominating possession, despite Gregan's efforts to continually
relinquish it, and Sakiri was proving a useful outlet. But his crosses
seemed to evade the Albion forwards.
Eventually, the equaliser came. After an exchange with Sakiri, Robinson
swung the ball across and it was GREGAN who met the ball with his
knee about twelve yards out, and the ball deflected into the far
corner.
Albion pressed for the winner in the final minutes, but nothing
quite came off with Hughes and Hulse both coming close.
Albion played some good football and should've easily won the game.
But we remain two points clear of Norwich in second place, and four
points clear of Sheffield United in third. The pressure is back
on for Albion to win on their travels once more as they visit Coventry
next week. Oh, after the small matter of a quarter-final against
Arsenal.
RESULT - WEST BROMWICH ALBION 2 CREWE
ALEXANDRA 2
Marks
Hoult - 6 - At fault for the first goal.
Gregan - 5 - Passing when in midfield was atrocious - thankful for
his fortunate goal.
Gaardsoe - 6 - Not the rock we have become accustomed to.
Volmer - 6 - Steady but unspectacular; enough to retain his place
IMO.
Haas - 7 - Good goal, decent all round display.
Koumas - 6 - Some excellent moments, but hid for long periods.
Johnson - 7 - MOM. Worked hard and kept the game running.
O'Connor - 6 - Did OK.
Robinson - 7 - Looked more like a wing back, still got a lot to
learn, though.
Dobie - 7 - Looked sharp, unlucky to get subbed.
Hulse - 5 - Looked slow and uninspired against his old club.
Sakiri - 7 - Made a very positive impact in the 4-4-2 formation.
Hughes - 7 - Did well, looked unaffected by the away fans' barracking.
The Manager - 7 - Maybe would've kept on Dobie rather than Hulse,
4-4-2 worked well and maybe should've been employed earlier, i.e.
the first whistle.
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West
Bromwich Albion (3-5-2):
Hoult; Gregan, Gaardsoe, Volmer; Haas, Koumas, Johnson, O'Connor
(Sakiri 51), Robinson; Dobie (Hughes 62), Hulse. Subs not used:
Murphy (GK), J Chambers, Clement.
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Crewe
Alexandra (4-4-2):
Ince; Wright, Foster, McCreedy, Tonkin; Lunt, Cochrane, B Jones
(Moses 43), Varney; Ashton, S Jones. Subs not used: Bankole (GK),
Robinson, Smart, Higden.
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Scoring: Haas (7) 1-0,
S Jones (18) 1-1, Wright (45+2) 1-2, Gregan (72) 2-2.
Bookings: West Bromwich Albion - Hulse (foul 20), Haas (foul 25).
Crewe Alexandra - Foster (foul 33).
Referee: G Hegley (Bishop's Stortford).
Attendance: 22,825. |
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