This site contains details of all the latest Albion news, including match reports. Come on you Baggies!
Click here to e-mail me if you have any comments!
Date: 25/10/97
Scorers: Hunt 7, Hughes 87
One of Albion's best performances of the season brought Sheffield United's unbeaten league run to an end. The Baggies lined up with Hunt as the lone striker following Peschisolido's transfer to Fulham. Sneekes tucked in behind and put in yet another sterling display. Albion took the lead as early as the 7th minute when Kilbane's pinpoint cross found the head of Hunt, who tucked away a close range header at the Birmingham Road End. The rest of the first half saw Albion put together some decent passing football while going forward and the defence, especially Paul Mardon, easily dealt with anything the battling Sheffield side could muster. The second half followed a similar pattern, with Miller troubled only occassionally. Lee Hughes was introduced for Kilbane after 68 minutes and the ginger-haired terrier immediately tore into the Blades defence. He hesistated in shooting when clean through on goal allowing the keeper to block with his feet, and then saw a blockbusting first time shot palmed away for a corner. But the striker was destined not to be denied and sent the Hawthorns crazy when he fired home under the keeper's body just three minutes from time.
Team: Miller, Holmes, Smith, Sneekes (Colidicott 89), Burgess, Mardon, Flynn, Hamilton, Butler, Hunt, Kilbane (Hughes 68). Sub (not used) Dobson. Attendance: 17,311 Steve's View: A great performance. If the home form remains this good and points continue to be picked up away, this could prove to be a rewarding season. Sheffield Utd have been unbeaten in the league this year, yet were totally outbattled by the Baggies. Little more needs to be said. Man of the Match:Richard Sneekes - some of his runs, although often not seen by other players, were pure class and pulled defenders all over the place.
Date: 21/10/97
Daryl Burgess' sending off for a professional foul on 43 minutes condemned Albion to defeat at the hands of their Midlands rivals. Table-topping Forest started the match brightly and looked the better team even before Burgess was dismissed. Alan Miller once again pulled off several fine saves. The Baggies went close on a couple of occasions, but were forced to pack the midfield following the sending off. Albion held firm in the second half and just as it looked as if Forest were running out of ideas, Kevin Campbell scored with a deflection off Miller's foot. The goal stirred the ten men into action, especially after the introduction of Paul Peschisolido, but Forest managed to thwart the attacks to consolidate their position at the top of the league. Albion drop to fourth following Sheffield Utd's home victory.
Team: Miller, Holmes, Smith, Sneekes (Hughes 70), Burgess, Mardon, Coldicott (Peschisolido 77), Hamilton, Butler, Hunt, Kilbane (Dobson 36). Attendance: 19,243 Steve's View: It was always going to be difficult against the league leaders after a man was sent off so early in the game, but Albion held out well, proving the defence has improved immeasurably this season. Things bode well. Man of the Match:Alan Miller - yet again, fantastic saves to keep us in the game.Date: 21/10/97
It's a first for this site tonight as the Baggies take on Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. This half of the site is obviously hoping for an Albion victory, but Ade on the other side might disagree! It's bound to be all-action and I'm sure there will be some pointed comments on the site whatever the result. Enjoy!
Date: 18/10/97
Scorers: Mardon 7, Hunt 49, 51
Albion regained third place in the league after a lucky win against a battling Pompey side. The Baggies took the lead in just seven minutes when Paul Mardon scored with a rare overhead kick. As in the last league game against Oxford, the goal was the cue for the opposition to attack and again Albion had Miller to thank for some excellent saves. The Baggies were happy to hear the half-time whistle and started the second half in the same vein as the first when Andy Hunt scored after 49 minutes. Just two minutes later, he scored again as he ran clear of the Portsmouth defence, despite perhaps justified calls for offside. The 3-0 lead was flattering and Portsmouth made short work of trying to prove it. Miller's goal was beseiged by Pompey, who became even more effective after making a couple of substitutions. The inevitable goal came from McLoughlin with just 12 minutes to go and Albion managed to hold firm before Foster scored with five minutes left to set up a climatic finish. But Albion held on and walked away with their third away league victory.
Team: Miller, Holmes, Smith, Sneekes, Burgess, Mardon, Flynn (Butler 71), Hamilton, Peschisolido (Hughes 75), Hunt, Kilbane. Subs (not used) Dobson. Attendance: 9,158 Steve's View: A lucky away win is what makes for promotion sides, so let's hope the performance against Forest on Tuesday will be more efficient and see us glean some more valuable away points. Man of the Match:Andy Hunt - again, two goals says it all.Date: 15/10/97
Albion went out of the Coca Cola Cup to an ultimately superior Liverpool side, but battled well for 90 minutes. Roy Evans sent out a strong side for this third round tie and, after Taylor just missed reaching a first minute header, the record winners of the competition took control of the game. Miller improvised many times to keep the rampant Liverpool forwards at bay as his goal lived a charmed life. But Albion soon settled in and Peschisolido was unlucky when he got in behind the defence but shot too close to James. The second half saw Liverpool take an early lead when a wonderful piece of play from McManaman saw him beat two defenders on the corner flag and pull the ball back for Berger to slot home at the Smethwick end. The goal stirred Albion into action and both substitute Hughes and Richard Sneekes were unlucky with good efforts. James dived to his left to keep out Hughes' well placed header and Sneekes deflected effort from the edge of the box also saw James make a good save. As Albion continued to look for glory, the game was killed off in the last minute when Robbie Fowler clinically drove past Miller into the bottom corner.
Team: Miller, Holmes, Smith, Sneekes, Burgess, Raven (Dobson 43), Flynn (Butler 83), Hamilton, Taylor (Hughes 59), Peschisolido, Kilbane Attendance: 21,986 Steve's View: Albion did not embarrass themselves on their big night, but were always inferior to the Premiership side. Then again, with our top striker subject of transfer talk of around £1.5 million and their main striker worth at least ten times that figure, it's not hard to see the ever-widening gulf between the two leagues. Man of the Match:Alan Miller - simply because the game could have been beyond Albion's reach early in the first half without his saves.Date: 04/10/97
Scorers: Hunt 7
Albion dropped to fourth place after a disappointing performance against an Oxford side that had previously failed to pick up a single away point. The Baggies suffered a few early shocks when United had two good chances to break the lead, but the deadlock was broken when Hunt slotted home after just seven minutes. Hopes of an easy home victory were dashed just six minutes later when Banger scored to leave the half-time score 1-1. Things went bad to worse for Albion in the second period when Purse put Oxford ahead after 53 minutes. Despite some pressure, Albion never really looked like maintaining their unbeaten home record and were, harshly considering the early stage of the season, booed off at the end. Every team deserves a bad performance during the course of the season, let's hope this was Albion's.
Team: Miller, McDermott (Coldicott 59), Smith, Sneekes, Burgess, Raven, Flynn, Hamilton, Peschisolido, Hunt, Kilbane (Hughes 65). Subs (not used) Dobson. Attendance: 15,819
Peschisolido - failed to hit target
Steve's View:
Last week's comments look ironic. Ineffective in attack, Albion simply failed to get going today and will need to improve tremendously to avoid embarrassment against Liverpool.
Man of the Match:Andy Hunt - just about deserved it for his hard running and goal
Date: 27/9/97
Scorers: Peschisolido 10, 45, 61
A hat-trick from Paul Peschisolido sealed a fine win for Albion over a Bury side unbeaten at home for 29 games. The Canadian striker pounced on two uncharacteristic errors from Bury's Andy Gray to score in the tenth minute and again on the stroke of half-time. The game was put beyond doubt when Peschisolido fired home a brilliant individual effort on 61 minutes. He was substituted by boss Ray Harford four minutes later, receiving a tremendous response from the travelling Albion fans. Bury scored a consolation with the last kick of the game, but by then the three points were heading for The Hawthorns. Albion are second in the league, a point behind Nottingham Forest.
Team: Miller, McDermott, Smith, Sneekes, Burgess, Raven, Flynn, Hamilton, Peschisolido (Hughes 65), Hunt, Kilbane. Subs (not used) Coldicott, Dobson. Attendance: 6,439
Richard Sneekes - tremendous performance
Steve's View:
A tremendous victory to keep Albion's impressive start to the season going. Effective both in attack and defence, Harford seems to have got the mix just right. The team looks considerably stronger at the back than last season and with Pesch on fire, the future is looking promising. Sneekes deserves praise for a sterling performance in midfield that deserved to be capped with a goal.
Man of the Match:Paul Peschisolido - the hat-trick hero has to take the honours.
Date: 24/9/97
Albion will welcome back the big time when they host Liverpool in the 3rd round of the Coca Cola Cup. The club is still finalising ticket details for the tie, but it has been confirmed it will be played on Wednesday, October 15 to give Paul Peschisolido time to return from international duty with Canada.
Date: 23/9/97
Scorers: Raven 40, McDermott 52, Peschisolido 67, 88
Two goals from substitute Paul Peschisolido eased Albion into the third round of the Coca Cola Cup at The Hawthorns on Tuesday. The little Canadian struck twice in the second half to seal Albion's superiority over the determined Bedfordshire side. Luton took a surprise lead after just 37 minutes when defender Steve Davis fired an unstoppable free kick past Miller. But the Baggies were soon back on level terms when Paul Raven stepped up from the back to poke the ball home five minutes before the break. The introduction of Peschisolido for Bob Taylor at half time spurred Albion into greater action and they went ahead for the first time in the tie when Andy McDermott scored with a deflected shot after 52 minutes. The lead was extended 15 minutes later when Peschisolido showed his pace and slotted home. An impressive long range strike from Tony Thorpe reduced the deficit after 74 minutes, but Peschisolido slipped his markers once more to score two minutes from time and send the Albion fans home happy.
Team: Miller, McDermott, Smith, Sneekes, Burgess, Raven, Flynn, Hamilton, Taylor (Peschisolido 45), Hunt, Kilbane. Subs (not used) Spink, Dobson. Attendance: 7,227 Steve's view: An expected result, but Albion had to fight hard to get it. A worrying lack of ideas and firepower, particularly from set pieces, could see a slide down the league before long. The squad definitely needs to be strengthened. Man of the Match:Paul Peschisolido - staked claim for first team starting place with two goals in 45 minutes.Date: 22/9/97
A total of £70,000 worth of damage was caused when vandals broke into The Hawthorns over the weekend. There was a possibility the Coca Cola Cup tie against Luton Town on Tuesday evening would have to be called off due to extensive damage to the police control box, which is essential for crowd control. However, after hard work by the stadium manager and his staff, the club announced the game would go ahead.
Date: 20/9/97
The Baggies missed the chance to go top of the table with a draw against a well organised Swindon side. It was not hard to see why Ray Harford is looking for another striker as Albion, with Taylor and Hunt up front, lacked the firepower they needed to soar to the top of the league for the second time this season. Chances were few and far between and although most fell to the Baggies, Miller was forced to make a fine save from Bullock in the first half. The introduction of Peschisolido after 64 minutes failed to inject any more life into the proceeedings and fans began streaming out of The Hawthorns long before the end. Albion remain third in the league, with Notts Forest returning to the top after a 1-0 victory against Portsmouth. (N.B Albion kept their third place after Charlton beat Bradford 4-1 on Sunday).
Team: Miller, McDermott, Smith, Sneekes, Burgess, Raven, Flynn, Hamilton, Taylor (Peschisolido 64), Hunt, Kilbane (Coldicott 80). Sub (not used) Dobson. Attendance: 16,237
Bob Taylor - played up front
Steve's view: Harford has organised the team well, but home games against Swindon are the ones we have to win if we want to remain in the top half of the table. The amount of clean sheets we have kept so far is encouraging, but another striker is desperately needed.
Man of the Match: Richard Sneekes - the most talented player on the field.