jonwant.com
jonwant.com Home Page Links to other footy sites Links to other footy sites Links to non-footy related sites. Photo features Contact the webmaster.
Rotherham United v West Bromwich Albion
Millmoor, Rotherham. 25th October 2003, 3.00pm.
Back to Reports Menu


Another comfortable away victory for the Baggies - a pity we can't do it at home. As I wasn't there, here is a match report from ALEX TILSLEY.


Birthday boy Rob Hulse ensured the Baggies bounced back after Tuesday's disappointment against lowly Wimbledon with a 3-0 victory, taking them back to the top of the league, against a depleted Rotherham team.

Rotherham had the first genuine chance of the game from a corner kick. Stewart Talbot headed on well and Chris Swailes threatened to get on the end of it, but was denied by recent Albion signing Paul Robinson.

At the other end the lively Lee Hughes won a corner and shortly after Albion went close with successive headers from Rob Hulse and then Thomas Gaardsoe, who put his effort over the bar, after being supplied by Jason Koumas. Shortly after, a cross by Hulse from the right wing was headed over by Hughes.

After every defeat this season West Brom have been impressive in returning to form, with notable victories, and when the breakthrough came just before half-time the result never looked in doubt.

Naturally it was the influential Koumas who was involved to the build up to the goal. Firstly his corner was headed down by Gaardsoe and Hughes with the goal at his mercy had his header blocked by Sedgwick. But a poor clearance allowed Bernt Haas link up with Koumas on the right wing. The ball into the box was dummied by Hulse onto the leg of the unfortunate Shaun BARKER, who diverted the ball into the net from two yards.

Four minutes after the half time interval Albion proceeded to double their lead.

Andy Johnson, refreshed after his three match suspension, won an important ball on the edge of the Millers penalty box. The ball was slipped into the path of Rob HULSE who fiercely drilled the ball into the left hand corner of Pollitt's goal, for his first goal in six games.

This effectively put a finish to the game, as once again the Albion defence dealt with anything ex-Villa & Walsall man Darren Byfield & his teammates threw at them.

There was still time for Rob HULSE to celebrate his 24th birthday in style. After being fed by Koumas, the former Crewe hit man took possession 30 yards out, ran to the edge of the area, and then drilled the ball with his left foot into the same corner of the net as his first goal.

The only negative moment of the game came in the 74th minute when Koumas limped off with a hamstring injury, all Baggies are hoping the injury is not serious.

At the end of the match Gary Megson reflected on Albion's biggest away win since the Battle of Bramall Lane as "a great result". He wasn't wrong, as 2,500+ boingingBaggiess will tell you!!



RESULT - ROTHERHAM UNITED 0 WEST BROMWICH ALBION 3

Marks

Hoult - 7 - Another clean sheet as Rotherham rarely tested him.
Gregan - 7 - Had Byfield in his pocket.
Gaardsoe - 8 - Ran the defence to keep a clean sheet.
Gilchrist - 7 - An improvement on Tuesday's poor performance.
Haas - 7 - Steady, linked up well with Koumas for the first goal.
Koumas - 8 - At the head of most moves & controlled the midfield.
Johnson - 8 - Thought he made a difference, got forward well & put himself about.
O'Connor - 7 - Busy as usual.
Robinson - 7 - Still getting used to new role, defended well but could get forward more.
Hulse - 8 - MOM just for the goals, which were excellently taken.
Hughes - 7 - Never stopped running & always put the Millers defence under pressure.

Sakiri - 7 - Effective replacement for Koumas, excellent passing.
Dobie - 6 - Not on the pitch for enough time to impress.
Clement - 6 - Ditto

The Manager - 8 - Didn't make wholesale changes after Wimbledon, but made sure the players & tactics improved.


Rotherham United (4-4-2):
Pollitt; S Barker, McIntosh, Swailes, Minto (Hurst 58); Sedgwick (Robins 63), Mullin, Talbot, Warne; Byfield (Monkhouse 77), R Barker. Subs not used: Montgomery (GK).
West Bromwich Albion (3-5-2):
Hoult; Gregan, Gaardsoe, Gilchrist; Haas, O'Connor (Clement 90+1), Johnson, Koumas (Sakiri 74), Robinson; Hughes (Dobie 82), Hulse. Subs not used: Murphy (GK), Wallwork.
Scoring: S Barker (o.g. 39) 0-1, Hulse (49) 0-2, Hulse (65) 0-3.
Bookings: Rotherham United - Minto (foul 37), Byfield (foul 51).
Referee: A Butler (Sutton-in-Ashfield)
Attendance: 7,815.
^ Back to Top