By Jemma Tappenden
September 19 2007

10th placed West Bromwich Albion entertained 5th placed Ipswich Town at the Hawthorns on saturday, as both sides looked to build upon decent starts to the Championship campaign, It had been a long break, but could the Baggies build on their recent league form and give the Tractor Boys a run for their money?

New boys Chris Brunt and Miller both made full debuts for Albion, making way were Craig Beattie and Zoltan Gera, the latter of whom was left out of the Baggies squad entirely.  Robert Koren made a comeback to the Baggies squad after failing to feature so far this season due to an eye injury.  Ipswich Town were boosted by goal ace Alan Lee passing a late fitness test.  The striker had already netted four goals for Town this season.

 

Ipswich immediately went for goal, Owen Garvan and Paublo Counago both having early strikes, although causing little issue for Albion keeper Kiely.  However the first real threat on goal was created by the Baggies, Jonathan Greening whipped in a dangerous ball to Kevin Phillips, who fired wide from 12 yards.  Phillips had a second chance just moments later, this time missing from 15 yards after Hoefkens had delivered the perfect cross.

 

The Baggies enjoyed a bright start to the game, although they came dangerously close to conceding in the 10^th minute when Counago allowed Lee in on goal, sliding his effort just short of the post from a difficult angle.

 

In the 15^th minute Miller came close for Albion with a powerful header after Teixeira delivered an impressive cross.  In the best move of the game so far, Brunt received a superb Morrison crossfield pass, which he fired across he goal mouth, both Teixeira and Phillips ending up in the net, but both having failed to make the necessary contact to take the ball with them.  Ipswich responded immediately, Walters – now sporting a bandage and a clean shirt after a clash of heads with Barnett, fired a corker at Dean Kiely from 20 yards. 

 

Miller put the Baggies ahead in the 23^rd minute, giving them a lead which on the balance of play was probably deserved.  Alan Lee made an unusual blunder, allowing himself to lose possession to Teixeira, who lifted the perfect ball to Miller’s feet.  With only defender Alex Bruce to beat, Miller skipped towards the box, firing a shot which rifled past the outstretched hand of goalkeeper Neil Alexander to ricochet in off the post.

 

Inspired by the goal lead, Albion pressed further in the run up to half time.  Brunt provided a series of crosses, but unfortunately Albion could not capitalise on their chances.  Miller had two superb chances in the 36^th and 40^th minutes respectively.  But no more goals were to be had before the break.

 

Half Time: West Bromwich Albion 1 – 0 Ipswich Town

 

The second half was a different story entirely, as Ipswich launched a vigorous attack on the Albion goal.  Alan Lee forced Kiely into a fine save early on; Counago came close just moments later, forcing his fine shot just inches wide of the post.  There could be no arguments that Ipswich were firmly on top now, and if the first half belonged to Albion, the second belonged to Town.

 

In the 56^th minute Baggies fans held their breathe as top striker Alan Lee charged down on Dean Kiely, but his shot, a scorcher from 20 yards was aimed directly at the Albion keeper, who diffused the threat.  It was clear that the Baggies were struggling to find any rhythm, so Mowbray replaced Morrison in the 61^st minute with Koren – giving him his first taste of league action so far this term.

 

A weak clearance from Hoefkens allowed Counago another chance on goal, but luckily Kiely was on form to clear any danger.  Moments later in the 65^th minute the Baggies had an amazing let off when Lee powered his header off the post.  Hoefkens got to the rebound first to temporarily clear the danger for a corner kick.  Lee was proving to be a major problem for the West Brom defence, alongside Bruce, Walters and substitute Billy Clarke, who all came close for Ipswich.  The Baggies had provided little threat at all in the second half, but in a devastating last 5 minute spell, Ipswich were left rueing missed opportunities.

 

Teixeira, named man of the match, found himself on the score sheet in the 88^th minute for Albion’s second.  Scorer then became provider, as Phillips netted the Baggies a third a minute into injury time.  Amazingly, a stunned Ipswich town side folder completely and conceded a fourth 3 minutes into injury time as Phillips found his second of the game. 

 

It was a game that left both sets of fans stunned.  Town fans asking themselves how on earth they had lost, least of all how they had conceded four goals.  And Baggies fans amazed that a half that had produced so little other than scares for their West Brom side, had in the final 5 minutes of the game produced a score line that was more than a little flattering.

 

Full Time: West Bromwich Albion 4 – 0 Ipswich Town

 

Miller 23

Teixeira 88

Phillips 90(+1) 90(+3)

 

Attendance: 19,460