| Saturday 2nd January |
Huddersfield Town |
(0) 0 |
Albion |
(0) 2 |
|
| Attendance: |
13,472 |
Dorrans 77 |
|||
| Albion: Carson; Jara, Martis,
Olsson, Cech; Brunt (Reid 88), Mulumbu, Dorrans, Teixeira; Cox (Wood 75),
Bednar (Koren 66) Subs (not used): Kiely, Moore, Thomas, Samuels |
||
| Booked: Brunt | Referee: K. Wright |
Reporter: Ross Giles |
“West Brom’s Eric Cantona”. Cue much guffawing from the Manchester Baggies branch when one member described the potential of Chris Wood to a Huddersfield fan in the pub beforehand. With the game heading towards a replay, it took some Gallic/Kiwi flair, albeit with a large dose of Scottsh skill, to set up an Albion win that looks more comfortable in hindsight than it did at the time.
In the manner of the best cup draws, the match was between one of the top teams in League 1, unbeaten at home, against a team looking set for a straight return to the Premier League. With a healthy Manchester branch turn-out, the game was highly anticipated in the pub beforehand. The Head Of Steam was a good mix of both sets of fans mingling nicely, with a good selection of ales (including the festive Reinbeer) and lager, with one branch member finding fruit beer on tap, ensuring the remaining two hours to kick-off flew by. Considering we were advised not to wear colours “for our own protection”, the pre-match discussions between all fans were more pleasant than could have been predicted.
The first half failed to live up to the billing; at best it could have been seen as an attempt by each team to see how the opposition lined up. The Baggies had a chance in the 14th minute with a cute volley from Dorrans, but although close there was no real threat. Cox came closer in the 39th minute but the Huddersfield keeper dealt fairly comfortably with the shot, pushing it around the post for a corner. Huddersfield seemed hell bent on playing for free kicks and penalties, with frequent cries of handball and falling to the floor being their most likely tactic to put pressure on the Baggies. Unsurprisingly the half-time whistle was well received by those needing to release some of the pre-match drinks.
The second half grew into the match that the cup tie promised, with chances at both ends. Huddersfield started well, with Michael Collins missing a header, followed shortly by Marek Cech hitting the post from range for the Albion. With chances coming at both ends, RDM bought on Robert Koren for the largely ineffective Teixeira and Cox came off for Chris Wood. It was the latter introduction that lit the touch paper for a Baggies win. Huddersfield had created a couple of chances just before, but a sweeping move in the 77th minute culminated with a beautiful ball from Brunt picking out Graham Dorrans, who was left to place the ball coolly past Smithies in the Huddersfield goal after a run through the middle left him in the clear.
Five minutes later, Brunt played
through Chris Wood, who - just days after celebrating signing a new contract - delicately chipped the ball over Smithies to wrap up a convincing win and a 4th
round draw against Plymouth or Newcastle at The Hawthorns.
With celebrations in full
flight, the branch took in a quick drink in Stalybridge on the way back to cap
off a good win that could well have been a potential banana skin. Who knows,
maybe another trip to that **** ground in London that the Wolves have yet to
see!
MOTM: Graham Dorrans