By Jemma Tappenden
September 19 2007

After Saturday’s stunner against Ipswich Town, it was time to leave the Hawthorns and travel to Bristol City. Would the Baggies be able to repeat their fortunes from the weekend? More to the point, would the already weakened hearts of Albion fans be able to take another 90 minutes of such tension and elation? City were unbeaten in the league so far, the Baggies still in search of away points.

Albion were boosted by the full return of Robert Koren, making his first start of the season after appearing as a substitute at the weekend.  Zoltan Gera, left out completely at the weekend, was recalled to the starting eleven alongside Craig Beattie and Richard Chaplow.  Morrison, Miller and Chris Brunt retired to the bench, with Teixeira rested completely. 

 

Albion started brightly, Greening putting in an immediate testing cross, which fell nicely to Gera.  The Hungarian International was unable to capitalise on the chance, misplacing a header.  This was followed by two good chances for Bristol City.  Louis Carey headed wide from a Lee Johnson cross, and former Wolves man Michael McIndoe had a shot intercepted from 12 yards after latching onto a Ivan Sproule cross.

 

Koren was soon testing City keeper Basso, driving in a low powerful shot as space opened up for him in front of goal, and minutes later after hooking up with Beattie he shot just inches wide of the left hand post.  A slip up by Beattie in the middle of the park left both Gera and Chaplow stranded as McIndoe picked up the ball, he skipped easily past defenders Barnett and Albrechsten, but sent an ambitious 18 yard strike straight into the arms of Dean Kiely.  In the 17^th minute, a poorly cleared free kick from Lee Trundle allowed Sproule a shot on goal, forcing an acrobatic save from Kiely to keep the score line at 0-0.

 

It was a brief spell of pressure from the Robins, but the Baggies weathered the storm well, and began to respond with efforts of their own.  A long range effort by Phillips was followed by 18 yard half volley from Chaplow, who saw his efforts reduced to a corner kick as City keeper Basso produced a fine save.  Chaplow had another shot just moments later, Phillips producing the cross, but this time he was inches short of the target.

 

Bristol City were forced into a change 15 minutes from the break, Michael McIndoe limping off the field to be replaced by Scott Murray.  A minute later, City defender Carey nearly produced an own goal, as he met Greening’s cross in the box.  From the resulting corner, Paul Robinson headed fiercely against the bar from Greenings cross.

 

Five minutes before the interval Gera produced a flash of inspiration.  The Hungarian International ripped through Bristol’s midfield, and unleashed a corker of a shot on the City goal.  It was a first rate save from the Robins keeper, followed immediately by a diving save to his left as he gathered up the ball from the feet of waiting Beattie.  Albion finished the half the stronger of the two sides, Hoefkens driving in a powerful shot which Basso spilled to the feet of Chaplow.  A quick reaction from Jamie McAllister ensured that the danger was diverted and the scores remained even at the end of the first half.

 

Half Time: Bristol City 0 – 0 West Bromwich Albion

 

City started the second half brightly, Trundle coming within inches of the target only minutes into the half.  Sproule then let rip a cunning 25 yard shot which caused the Baggies defence some problems.  And minutes later a Johnson freekick was headed just inches over the bar.  Mowbray decided it was time for a change, and in the 62^nd minute Beattie made way for Miller to try and beef up the Albion attack.  The substitution had an immediate effect on confidence, and Koren charged down a Robinson through ball, which Basso managed to gather.  Basso made a rare error minutes later, spilling the ball after saving a Miller shot, but managed to beat Phillips to the rebound.

 

Koren caused more trouble for Basso in the 73^rd minute, forcing yet another spectacular save from the keeper, but moments later Gera set Miller on a run down the right wing, beating off two city players to produce a fine cross that cut 6 yards away from the City goal.  Slovenian International Robert Koren was there to tap home, giving Albion a deserved one goal lead.

 

Spurred on by their goal Albion continued to push the Robins, but just as they looked likely to gain their first 3 points away from home this season, City defender Johnson swung in an 88^th minute corner allowing Elliot a close range effort.  Despite seeing his effort cleared off the line, the ball had not fallen to the safety of Dean Kiely, and Orr was able to get the ball into the back of the net bringing the score level.  It was a bitter end for Albion, who whilst opening their points account away from the Hawthorns, will now have to wait till Saturday against Scunthorpe before they can try and claim all three again.  Bristol City remain unbeaten in the League this season.

 

Full Time: Bristol City 1-1 West Bromwich Albion

 

Koren 74

 

Orr 88

 

Attendance: 16, 571