Early Start
Young baggie Sam and I have to make a quick stop in Gornal to complete a construction exam. Butterflies are in the stomach already but I think that’s the pending game and not the test. Let’s face it, Blackpool will be a stern test.
Test done and passed it’s off to the Vine for a pint. 11.30am and it’s full of Blackpool fans - two coach loads to be precise! Donny to the rescue he comes down to meet us and off to The Sportsman for a pint and a cracking chicken tikka and to meet with some of the other guys who make this message board great fun.
The Team
RDM has made a couple of changes from Tuesday’s win over Sheffield Wed. In is Carson, S Reid, Tamas, Olsson and Cech; Koren, Morrison, Mulumbu, Dorrans and Brunt; Miller up front.
To me this is a strong line-up so should be a good game. Miller starts his first game for sixteen months - a reward for his efforts against Sheffield Wed no doubt. On the bench is Mattock, Barnes, Kiely, Cox, Meite and Bednar.
The First Half
A few exchanges, end to end football with some good moves down our right wing; then the Seasiders bring the ball up to our box unchallenged. No-one closed down Charlie Adam who fired a shot off from some thirty yards that seemed to skim along the ground and in off the post with Scott Carson left sprawled on the ground. A goal from nothing. He should never have been allowed to shoot from there, here we go again. We all go quiet, the players start the blame-game arms waving and shouting only 8-mins on the clock.
Some two minutes later and another shot by Adam. Again no-one closed him down AAAARRRR will we never learn? Backs to the wall for the next 5-mins with Blackpool playing slick football.
Albion regain their composure and some frantic goalmouth clearance by Blackpool. Game on! Sure enough the equaliser came in the 14th min with a lovely ball from Brunt to Miller...GOAL! Oh yes you beauty.
We pile the pressure on again and a last ditch clearance by Gilks from Reid’s huge throw-in (a bit like Delap for Stoke).
Another cock-up in defence allows Neil Eardley to get a 30 yard strike off with Carson making a fine save. We continue to pile on the pressure with some great movement but still allow Blackpool to play their passing game. The whistle blows for half-time; thank God, I don’t think I can take much more, I need a drink!
Second Half
Morrison off and Giles Barnes on. We start slowly then Koren and Miller make an open run on Blackpool’s goal, only for Koren to blast over the bar. If only he had laid it off to Miller.
Never mind that, back we come again and Koren slammed one in the top corner...GOAL!!!! Boing Boing, Boing Boing, my head goes funny again, we can do this!
We are in control of this game and it’s all looking good. Miller goes off with what looks like a hamstring pull and on comes Bednar. Here we go again, Adam’s ball to a Blackpool sub Ormerod and bang, 2-2. We pile on the pressure with a great run by Barnes who is upended in the penalty area. The Blackpool players swarm round the ref who talks to the linesman and confirms a PENALTY. Dorrans steps up and......Goal!
We have a couple of nervy moments at the back but see out the rest of the match for the three points.
On Reflection
This was a great result with some good performances and a few poor ones. Brunt was poor today, looked tired so I will give him the benefit of the doubt. Reid and Watson looked calm on the ball and are great asset to our team; as for Barnes he needs more time to find his fitness but for me did well today. Dorrans, Morrison and Mulumbu worked tirelessly for the midfield; Miller looked sharp, hope he is ok.
Overall, a great result which we thoroughly deserved.
Come on you Baggies!!!!!