Express and Star Match Report

[Time4aPINT]

Here's the match report from The Express and Star. It's not as bitter as I expected.


Stoke City 3 West Bromwich Albion 1

Albion crashed to a heavy defeat as their Stoke hoodoo continued this afternoon courtesy of a Ricardo Fuller hat-trick.

The Jamaican international made the most of some wide open Baggies defending to give his side a 2-0 lead at half-time.

And he effectively wrapped up the victory with 23 minutes left when he completed his treble by catching Albion on the break as they hunted a lifeline.

Roman Bednar continued his fine scoring run since making his Albion debut with his sixth goal in as many starts 16 minutes from the final whistle.

But Bednar’s late header was only ever likely to be a consolation goal as the Baggies paid the price for some poor defending, particularly before half-time.



Tony Mowbray’s side put their hosts under intense pressure early in the second half but it was too late as they were already fighting a losing battle.

The defeat means Albion’s hunt for a victory at Stoke will stretch into a 26th year.

The afternoon could not have begun in a worse manner for the Albion fans who battled through heavy M6 traffic to see their side fall behind as early as the fifth minute.

Fuller got the better of Bostjan Cesar before firing Stoke ahead although the Baggies were convinced the striker had handled the ball in the buildup.

There was no dispute over the second goal which arrived seven minutes before half-time as Albion failed to clear a right wing free kick from Liam Lawrence.

The ball found Fuller beyond the far post and he blasted home his second.

Kevin Phillips and Ishmael Miller were introduced at half-time and they sparked a spirited offensive from the visitors for the first 22 minutes of the second half.

But it was all over when Stoke caught the Baggies on the break with Fuller sliding home a precise shot to complete his hat-trick.

Bednar headed home with 16 minutes left from a cross by substitute Martin Albrechtsen but Albion could not avoid starting Christmas with a defeat.

[robin1302]

makes a bit of a change ;D

[rorymscfc]

scfc4eva said:

The ball found Fuller beyond the far post and he blasted home his second. ;D

Shouldn't a certain Mr Hoefkens have been covering that back post?

Oh dear Carl! Kiddies keeping you up again? ;D

RoryM

[vicar69dude]

"The defeat means Albion’s hunt for a victory at Stoke will stretch into a 26th year."

Wonderful.

[Admin]

That report is just the little one to put on the website.

Don't be fooled - the three volume excuse-a-thon is being scripted by a team of bitter Baggies journos right now!!!