By Jemma Tappenden
March 11 2008

Tuned in to televisions and radios everywhere at 1.25pm yesterday afternoon, was a vast array of football fans awaiting the FA Cup semi final draw. Some Albion fans might well have been hoping to avoid this one, drawing Portsmouth the only surviving premiership outfit. But if past history suggests anything at all, it is that Pompey may well be fearing this one more.

It appears that the Baggies have become somewhat of a bogey side for Portsmouth, particularly in the FA Cup.  These two sides have drawn each other four times previously, with Albion recording three victories, two of which saw them to go on and win the competition. 

Firstly in 1931, the season in which Albion became the first side to clinch promotion and win the Cup, Pompey travelled to the Hawthorns for a Valentines Day fixture in the 5^th round.  W.G Richardson scoring the only goal to secure the Baggies a place in the 6^th round in front of a crowd of 30,891.

A second occasion came in 1968, the last time Albion lifted the trophy exactly 40 years ago.  Jeff Astle, who had scored goals in every round of the competition including the winner in a 1-0 victory at Wembley in the final, bagged one of Baggies two goals, Clive Clark netting the other in a 2-1 win for Albion in front of a 42 thousand plus crowd at Fratton Park.

Pompey do record one victory against the Baggies in the cup – in 1939 when they themselves went on to lift the trophy, beating favourites Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-1 at Wembley.

Albion, also the first side to have ever broken the stigmata of Premiership relegation if bottom of the league come Christmas, played Portsmouth on the last day of the season to complete their ‘great escape’.  But over the years a friendly relationship has grown between the two sets of fans.  Which of course has absolutely nothing at all to do with Albion contributing to Southampton’s inevitable relegation from the Premiership some seasons ago now.

Perhaps in start contrast, the superstitious amongst the ranks may well be relieved to have avoided Barnsley.  After all, not only have they disposed of Liverpool and Chelsea already this year, but FA Cup history between the two sides lies arguably in their favour.

In fact, Albion have never actually beaten Barnsley in any of their four cup meetings, and the only time Barnsley have ever lifted the cup, as far back as 1912, came after a 1-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion.

Recent history however doesn’t look too bad for the Baggies – despite a recent 2-1 defeat away at Oakwell in the league, the Baggies took a comfortable 2-0 victory over the Tykes back at the start of the league campaign, a win which came only a few months after a tonking 7-0 victory by Albion at the end of the previous campaign.

Albion fans will at least be relieved to know that on-loan keeper Luke Steele, a well celebrated player of both of Barnsley’s victories over Chelsea and Liverpool will be forbidden to face his ‘home’ club Baggies if both sides make it through to the final.  An appeal by the Tykes to allow the young keeper face Albion failed this morning.

Tickets for Albion’s Semi Final at Wembley versus Portsmouth will go on sale to season ticket holders and members this Thursday – online sales only at this point.  For a full break down of ticket information please visit:

http://www.wba.premiumtv.co.uk/page/AwayTickets/0,,10366~1261697,00.html

Baggies to face Premiership's only surviving side

Discussion started by West Brom (IP Logged), 11/03/2008 10:53

West Brom
11/03/2008 10:53

Baggies to face Premiership's only surviving side

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.Say Hello Wave Goodbye.
11/03/2008 11:32

And another fine article.



The Lords My Shepherd.
The future is bright. The future is Stripes.


www.wbabaggies.co.uk

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Lifes Little Jem
11/03/2008 11:35

Why thank you.

www.wbabaggies.co.uk

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