West Brom 1 Plymouth 0 – Josh Maja nets winner as Albion return to summit.
Josh Maja’s sixth goal in six games helped Albion overcome a determined Plymouth team to reclaim the top spot in the championship.
Following a heated preseason match at a packed Hawthorns, the Baggies’ top scorer struck shortly after the hour mark with a superb low cross from full debutant Uros Racic.
Before that, Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth impressed and remained a mystery till the very end. Although they weren’t
always at their best and were occasionally untidy, Albion posed a threat in the first quarter, as the woodwork
prevented them from scoring three times.
The home team had trouble getting going after the interval, but Maja’s crucial intervention as unbeaten Albion, yet to
As the first change to Corberan’s starting lineup in six league games this season, Racic was brought in to replace
Jayson Molumby, who was sidelined due to a calf issue. Ted Cann filled in for substitute goalie Joe Wildsmith, who
was absent due to sickness.
For the first five minutes, Albion was out of the traps quite quickly as they tried to overwhelm the visitors, who were obviously fond of Rooney’s philosophy of playing out from the back.
In within two minutes, Corberan’s men were almost ahead. In midfield, Racic rose to win a strong header and sent
Karlan Grant darting down the left.
Grant’s powerful low cross begged a colleague to arrive and there was Maja, to beat his defender and prod an
awkward chance just wide with keeper Dan Grimshaw rushing out.
It was quickly, apparent, though, that the visitors weren’t here to make up the numbers. They weathered a stormy
first five minutes and showed signs of a nimble side looking to play neat football through the thirds and it times it
caused Albion problems.
Albion tried to exploit the flanks early doors, the left side specifically, but crosses were just wide of the mark. The
Pilgrims grew into the affair with the runs of striker Ryan Hardie – one of two into Rooney’s side – proving
problematic.
Scot Hardie diverted a cross just wide from lively winger Ibrahim Cissoko before, down the other end, the Baggies looked to hit back.
Plymouth seemed like it was about to wither away when Corberan’s men turned the screw every thirty minutes. Afew moments later, Albion again caused problems for the woodwork after Tom Fellows had hammered a low left-footed drive straight at Grimshaw.
Alex Mowatt has a knack for scoring goals. After receiving some nourishment from John Swift, he skilfully curled a low shot across goal from 20 yards out, leaving Grimshaw stunned. On its way wide, the strike ricocheted off the right post.
Just a few minutes later, Swift’s turn to strike from a similar distance found the left post.
Albion was both confident and irritated at the same time, but they were lucky that Alex Palmer was able to save them from Semi Ajayi and Kyle Bartley after
Cissoko made a nice run, but Whittaker missed it. Palmer then denied Daniel Gyabi at close range, and Cissoko put the rebound into the side net.
After Heggem’s cross, Maja, who had been relatively quiet, had the ball in the net, but the assistant’s flag was rightfully raised.
At the start of the second period, Albion was discovered to be lacking. Argyle was once more radiant.
Mikey Johnston and Grady Diangana were the cavalry that Corberan started preparing since he had had enough before the hour.
Thankfully, Albion didn’t have to break the impasse since the hosts’ timing worked well.
Work on the right was rewarded for Albion. Racic, who had a rough afternoon overall but persisted in working hard and earning his celebration after, received a deft pass close to the byline and produced an incredible low cross.
Maja, Albion’s fox in the box, dribbled past his defender and finished with confidence, just like he has done so far this season. More evidence of the frontman’s outstanding striker instinct.
It was far from a completed taskt blood go down his face as Mowatt was barely off the ground and Racic was refused.
Wallace made his 100th appearance with the Albion when Corberan presented him. Also arriving was Ousmane Diakite, who strengthened the midfield. Both have to be done.
Rooney modified his offensive strategy, and Plymouth continued to voice reservations. While Argyle observed overloads on the wings, further deliveries flew into the hosts’ box. Corberan’s troops stood firm and only Joe Edwards, with a feeble header, was able to stretch Palmer. Mustapha Bundu blasted wide across goal at The Hawthorns while someone chewed on their fingernails.
By the end, they didn’t have to be since Albion had the resilience necessary to climb back to the top.
Teams:
Albion (4-2-3-1): Palmer; Furlong, Ajayi, Bartley (c), Heggem; Racic (Diakite, 71), Mowatt; Fellows (Wallace, 71), Swift (Diangana, 63), Grant (Johnstone, 63); Maja (Dobbin, 78).
Subs not used: Cann, Holgate, Styles, Frabotta.
Plymouth (4-2-3-1): Grimshaw; Mumba, Edwards (c), Gibson, Sczucs; Gyabi (Wright, 77), Forshaw (Al Hajj, 68), Randell; Whittaker, Hardie (Obafemi, 77), Cissoko (Bundu, 77).
Subs not used: Marosi, Ogbeta, Houghton, Galloway, Palsson.
Attendance: tbc
Referee: Andrew Kitchen
Read more news on https://sportupdates.co.uk/
Leave a Reply