By Stuart Kidson
December 29 2002

Apart from the return of Phil Gilchrist to the Albion bench for the first time since his injury against the Villa, the side remained unchanged from the Boxing Day clash with the Champions. Igor Balis was omitted from the squad to accomodate Gilchrist's return. Charlton Athletic v West Bromwich Albion
28th December 2002

Apart from the return of Phil Gilchrist to the Albion bench for the first time since his injury against the Villa, the side remained unchanged from the Boxing Day clash with the Champions. Igor Balis was omitted from the squad to accomodate Gilchrist's return.

Jason Roberts made the most of his first chance of the afternoon with a clear shot within the first minute of play but Dean Kiely managed to block the shot and deny the Albion striker his first goal in 10 games. Almost a minute later Roberts again was off and running towards goal only to be thwarted by Richard Rufus. The ball broke loose and stand-in Captain Andy Johnson was frustrated by the on form Kiely.

Albion did not have everything their own way and Russell Hoult pulled off three magnificant saves as defenders Darren Moore and Sean Gregan took a while to settle into their roles. Former Blues player Gary Rowett hit a stinging 25 yard shot which Hoult tipped over the bar and following the corner Hoult again saved his side when he saved a Jason Euell shot. The goal came from the resulting corner when an unmarked Kevin Lisbie got in front of Hoult and headed home.

After recent results it was important for the Baggies not to allow their heads to drop and to bring some fight back into their game. Ronnie Wallwork was dispossesed by Charlton's Scott Parker, who ran with the ball for 50 yards before hitting a low, hard shot which again bought out another classy save from Hoult. Hoult's frustration at his outfield team mates was apparent from the opposite end of the stadium.

The Baggies found an extra gear in their game and three times went close with the first coming from a Jason Koumas free kick which hit the outside of the Charlton post. The second came when Andy Johnson's cross from the right was scrambled about in front of the Charlton goalmouth but neither Danny Dichio nor Jason Roberts could connect the final touch to give the Baggies the equaliser. Darren Moore then saw one of his headers cleared off the line by Scott Parker following a Koumas corner.

Jason Roberts earned himself a booking for using his elbow to send Richard Rufus sprawling across the pitch. Roberts used one of his nine lives and managed to stay on the pitch, much to the frustration of the Charlton faithful. An exchange of passes between Wallwork and Dichio saw the resultant shot tipped round the post by the increasingly busy Kiely. Alan Curbishley made his feelings known to referee Mr. Steve Dunn as the official made his way to the tunnel at half time with an animated displayof anger at the referee's ineptitude.

The second half saw the Baggies start in much the same way they had finished the first half much to the frustration of the home support. The travelling support had been noisiest throughout the game easily out singing their South London counterparts and this was transfered to the pitch as the Baggies again blitzed the Charlton goal. Koumas produced another of those skilfull runs only to have his shot blocked by Kiely with the rebound falling to the feet of Adam Chambers whose shot went inches over the bar.

Roberts continued to be a problem for the Charlton defence and twice he had shots at goal denied. Chris Powell blocked another Roberts effort at the touchline after the Baggies striker had managed to get within touching distance of the goal. The Baggies then had a series of corners which saw Darren "Big Dave" Moore power two headers towards goal. One going inches wide and the other kept out again by Richard Rufus.

The referee and two assistants had displayed levels of ineptitude throughout the game that had to be seen to believed so it came as no surprise when Roberts was hauled down in front of goal by Rufus that Mr. Dunn waved play on. The reaction of the Albion team was to surround the referee in protest.

Baggies boss Gary Megson made the first of two changes shortly after by bringing Scott Dobie on in place of Adam Chambers to add weight to the attack. The home side capitalised on the space no open left by Chambers and began a series of attacks which Sean Gregan, Darren Moore and Larus Sigurdsson managed to deal with. However, Sean Gregan earned himself his fifth booking of the season and will now be unavailable to Megson for the visit of Manchester United to the Hawthorns in two weeks.

Megson's second change came when he replaced Jason Koumas with Lee Hughes on 80 minutes for a four pronged forward line in an attempt to get the long awaited for equaliser. Andy Johnson volleyed a shot wide and then with almost the last kick of the game Scott Dobie's rocket shot from 25 yards hit the top left corner of the post to rebound out for a throw in.

Despite the 14 goal attempts and 10 corners enjoyed by the Baggies they could not have bought a goal on this visit to the Valley and Mr. Dunn blew for full time giving the valuable three points to the undeserving home side.

Man of the Match: Jason Koumas

Team: Russell Hoult, Larus Sigurdsson, Darren Moore, Sean Gregan, Adam Chambers (72), Andy Johnson, Ronnie Wallwork, Jason Koumas (80), Neil Clement, Danny Dichio, Jason Roberts Subs Scott Dobie (72), Lee Hughes (80), Joe Murphy, Phil Gilchrist, James Chambers