A tale of two Owls - West Brom

After the success of the Owling/TommyCraig trip to Reading we thought we'd give it another go... 

So this time we have the thoughts of our very own BrylcreemBoy and Lowl.

Brylcreem: This was only my second away game on the season, and I was hoping for a vast improvement on the first (Reading). I had not intended to attend this match but received a text from Beastie asking if I wanted to attend, I jumped at the chance. He picked me up from Meadowhall with Hollie and we departed for the West Midlands. Steve had his usual pre match music on, various hits from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s along with some ska covers.

Enough to send a man mad! And it nearly did, and it’s fair to say the journey was long though enjoyable. We arrived at West Brom and after various random photos, which seemed to have the locals mystified, we collected the tickets and made our way to the front row, right next to the Bouncing Baggies fans. I felt really up for it and believed we would come away with something. Both sets of fans were in good voice. I liked this ground, fairly new but with character. I tucked into my second chicken balti pie and awaited kick off.

Lowl:I was quite excited about the trip to West Brom, its one of my favourite grounds, we always get a result there and I missed not going last season for obvious reasons. I don’t know if it was Saturday's result but I already had butterflies in my stomach (well until someone pointed out we haven’t lost there since 1975 - how many of those types of records have been broken this last season?!) BUT ever the optimist I still thought we would get something, even a draw would suffice.

Id planned my afternoon off work down to a T but seemed to be on the last push to get to Hillsborough on time and then almost got run over as two cars avoided collision by the hair of a gnats cock whilst veering directly towards me, almost making it three bumps in three games!

Right………….pub 'we go left and its past the ground on the left'…'ok'….starts walking. Pub shut 'oh we should have turned right' so we go back on ourselves back past the ground, past the coaches, past the garage 'how much further?'……'keep going!!'……….'I'm sure its not down here'. There it was set back from the road (the giveaway was the riot van parked outside). The Royal Oak, looked quite big from the pavement, walked through the first main door we came to, full of West Brom (with the exception of one Sheffield actor and two mates). The pub was split in half with no views in between, it turned out our lot were in the other side, we could hear them occasionally which was winding one lad up who tried to sing back but he was weak, very very weak. Just had time for a swift drink then a brisk walk back to the ground for kick off.

The stewards outside the turnstiles were lined up to start searching 'don’t even try it mate'…..im in. Like ive said, its one of my favourite grounds, its not one of those new bowl type affairs it’s an old ground that’s had a massive facelift and is totally enclosed (similar to ours will be when its been redeveloped I suppose). Exchanged a few pleasantries then went to find my seat. LS was stood talking to some chaps a few rows in front of me but he left before kick off.

Brylcreem:WBA kicked off and the game got under way. During the early stages there were no real chances though both teams showed their ability to brake with pace with JJ and Jerome Thomas. Chris Brunt came closest early on with an overhead kick that went high and wide after a cross from Thomas. There were plenty of corners to WBA but nothing really troubled the Wednesday goal.

In fact, the only thing that troubled Lee Grant was the sand pit on his six yard line as he found it difficult to get distance and accuracy on his goal kicks. Darren Purse and Beever’s looked solid at the back during the first half without being put under any real pressure. JJ and Miller worked the flanks well and got back at every opportunity to help out the wing backs. James OC won tackles and covered every blade of grass in the middle of the park and Leon did well, holding the ball up and spreading the play when it looked like the move was dead.

The best chance of the first half went to JJ as he chased a pass from JOC with a WBA defender, who slipped. JJ cut inside and lofted the ball over Scott Carson’s head, who was stranded in the middle of his goal. I thought it was in and was half celebrating when I saw it hit and role off the top of the netting. The steward in front looked at me with a smug look. Twat. The whistle blew for half time to be met with jeers from the home supporters, a sign of their frustration at the lack of conviction from WBA and to how well we had done. We cheered the lads in at half time hoping for more of the same in the second.

I tucked into a snicker, to which Steve asked where the hell I put it all. Am a growing lad was my reply. We had an unwelcome visitor for the beginning of the second half; Steve’s flatulence was getting unbearable and was bringing tears to mine and Hollies eyes. The stewards at the front thought about introducing a cordon but decided against this idea for their own well being.

Lowl:The second half wasn’t as enjoyable, maybe its because the clock was running down and we weren’t as in control. A couple more shots wide for West Brom coupled with some excellent saves and stretches from Grant, tipping the ball away and keeping us in the game. We thoroughly deserved to get something out of that game but it wasn’t meant to be, Koren's 30 yard strike sealed their win on the 78th minute, there was no way we would be able to pull that back. No last minute goals for us, that’s just not Wednesday. I only found fault with Varney and Jeffers (yeah that whole 10 mins or so!) But everyone else was top notch, you could tell it had taken its toll as at final whistle, some of them dropped to their knees, you'd think they'd just lost the play off final!!

Along with them, and many others, I was disappointed we didn’t come away with something, it wouldn’t be natural if I didn’t but considering where West Brom are in the table, where they've just come from, where they're possibly going back to and the fight and determination those lads showed last night, I think we'll be alright you know.

We are staying up, say we are staying up!


Thanks to Mr Brylcreem and Lowl for their contributions, I think it brings something different to the match report so hopefully some of you with feel the same and want to put your view across this weekend after the Swansea game?

Go on!

 

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