Bradford City 0 - West Bromwich Albion 1

Dave Watkin:

Those key moments:

Myers hacks down Taylor... ?

...Igor strokes it away... ?

...and all hell lets loose! Igor's in there somewhere...

TEAM NEWS

There were three changes for this vital game. Larus Sigurdsson returned to the defence instead of Varga, Adam Chambers took over in midfield from Jordao and Scott Dobie was up front as Bob Taylor, with his broken hand bandaged, joined the substitutes.

TIGHT GAME

Albion made the first serious threat on goal in the fifth minute when from Derek McInnes's right wing cross Scott Dobie volleyed just over the bar. On the quarter-hour mark Albion fans were anxious when some neat interplay on the edge of the area set up a clear shooting chance for the home side, but the resultant shot was comfortably saved by Russell Hoult.

Bradford were doing Albion no favours and from their determined attitude you would not have believed they had nothing to play for. The game up to the break was extremely tight with clear chances few and far between.

SCARE FOR BAGGIES

The Bantams forced an early corner and only a desperate goalline header from Adam Chambers kept out a goalbound header. At the other end a flick from Scott Dobie sent Andy Johnson through, but the advancing keeper just managed to clear his lines.

It was clear that Gary Megson was not willing to settle for one point when he brought on-loan striker Trevor Benjamin into the action, instead of midfielder Adam Chambers, with twenty-five minutes remaining. He almost did the trick with a shot on the turn which just cleared the crossbar.

Bob Taylor came on for Danny Dichio with a quarter-of-an-hour to go and had an immediate impact. He flicked on an Igor Balis cross to Trevor Benjamin who connected superbly with a diving header which bounced up and over the goalie's right shoulder. However, keeper Combe twisted and somehow tipped the ball over the bar. With only minutes remaining Bob Taylor shrugged off a defender to set up a chance from point-blank range. He connected well enough but Combe was able to beat the ball out.

Albion had dominated the later stages but as the game entered injury time it looked as if that elusive goal would never come. Then Bob Taylor gained possession inside the box to the left of the goal. He side-stepped his defender to move the ball to his right foot but was brought down for a clear penalty. Igor Balis picked up the ball in front of the travelling support but for two agonising minutes play was held up as first Taylor received treatment and then Bradford wasted time. With the area cleared BALIS coolly slotted the ball past the keeper to launch amazing scenes of celebration on three sides of the ground. After another three minutes of added time the referee blew the final whistle to end a remarkable match.

ALBION FORMRATE : GOOD

MAN-OF-THE-MATCH : DARREN MOORE

The Baggies fans continued boinging, chanting and singing for fully twenty minutes after the game had finished, before reluctantly leaving for home. Tremendous.

OPINION

If Albion were affected by nerves last week this was certainly not the case in today's match. It was clear as they came out for the kick-off that they were up for it and they played a finely judged game. For over an hour they battled for supremacy until they stepped up a gear for their final assaults on the Bradford goal.

Darren Moore was a rock in the defence, a tower of strength and an inspiration to his fellow defenders and Hoult, who was secure as ever. The pairing of McInnes and Chambers fought for and gained the upper hand in midfield and for the second away game in a row Gary Megson employed all four of his strikers to good effect.

Was this game as memorable as Oldham 76? Well almost and - whisper it softly, but "we're almost there". We must avoid over confidence or arrogance (leave that to the Tatters) and put in just one more fully committed performance in front of a full house next Sunday. See you there?

TABLES

Albion have consolidated 2nd place and lead Wolves by four points. It's clear now, Wolves play tomorrow and if they lose the Baggies are promoted. If they draw we need a draw next week to be certain, if they win then a victory next Sunday will clinch the runners-up place.

Here's the table:

                   P    W    D    L     F    A     PTS   GD
1st. Man City      45   30    6    9   105   51    96    54
2nd. ALBION        45   26    8   11    59   29    86    30
3rd. Wolves        44   24   10   10    73   41    82    32
   

To come:

• Sunday: Wolves home to Wimbledon
• Sunday week: ALBION home to Crystal Palace, Wolves away to Sheffield Wednesday

Blues drew 2-2 at Rotherham and are 5th, still not certain of the play-offs, but the Sky Blues who lost 0-1 at home to Millwall on Friday are 11th and out of it (eat your heart out Lee Hughes!). Walsall won 1-0 at Sheffield United and are 19th and safe.

John:

WOW I am just about calming down. My voice has gone I am all boinged all out after an amazing few minutes at the end of the todays game that words fail to explain, but I can't recall feeling that way during or after a Baggie match. Even 93 was not this good!!

The first half was best forgot - we were poor, VERY nervous and it showed. Clem and Balis were never in the game and Bradford could have easily grabbed a goal during the half. We had a few pot shots from memory, there were a couple of decent Clem corners that caused some murmers. The fans still cheered the lads off at half time.

The second half was going much the same way until Benjamin and Taylor were introduced (or was it the streaker?). Benjamin caused plenty of problems and could have scored a few but for some top keeping and darn right hard luck (where was he against Rotherham???) All of a sudden chances were created and squandered and just as it seemed it was all over Bob turned in the box and was brought down by Myers. First celebrations, then gasps of "OH NOT AGAIN"

It seemed an age before the pen was taken as Bob got treatment and Bradford made a sub but Igor placed it in the corner, the keeper went the wrong way and after that I recall very little Other than hugging many strange men!!! Oh yeah there were baggie fans all over the pitch.

I thought we would see another age of stopage time but it was all over very quickly and after a mini pitch invasion, which gave Albion fans in other areas of the ground chance to end up in the Baggie end we were told we would not see the team and left to the honk of horns all the way to the M606. We are so much nearer - COME ON THE DONS!!

Man Marks

• Hoult 7 Few dodgy patches but nothing to worry about
• Balis 6 Very quiet but I'll forgive him
• Siggi 8 Solid as a rock, welcome back
• Moore 8 Solid as a rock
• Gilchrist 8 Guess what, solid as a rock
• Clement 6 An off day for Clem, nothing went right
• Chambers 8 Got stuck in but passing and final ball were below par
• McInnes 9 A captains performance when we needed it
• Johnson 7 Did not look 100% fit but got around and did his job
• Dichio 6 Sorry Cuz I was dissapointed again. In fairness not many good crosses
• Dobie 7 Nothing quite came off but did cause a problem or two

SUBS

• Benjamin 8 Caused plenty of problems with pace and power. Good in air
• Taylor 8 SUPER!!

REF 3 - Abysmal!!!!

Paul:

First half VERY poor. John was right. Clem and Balis just weren't firing. WE desparately needed a decent cross. The only one came from a Clement corner that Dobie got a free header to, but put it wide when he should have at least hit the target.

Second half wasn't that much better. I honestly couldn't see where the goal was going to come from, even with Benjamin and Supes on. And when Supes missed an absolute sitter with five minutes to go I thought it just wasn't to be. But just after the sign went up to signal three extra minutes, Supes redeemed himself. A neat turn in the box saw Myers bring him down. For the first time all day (I was in the Bradford end) I shouted "Penalty!!!!" and the ref (who had a very poor game - nothing particularly controversial, but inconsistent) confirmed it. An eternity passed while Supes was treated and McCall went off. I was tempted not to watch (it would have been the first time ever), but managed to stick with it as Balis tucked it away (why didn't he take all the penalties this season? We would be home and dry by now).

The fans went berserk - no other word for it. I hugged my two kids with a tear in my eye. The Bradford fans around me were great. The whistle went and the mini invasion happened. Nothing whatsoever threatening - we went along the front of the stand to take a closer look. It was amazing. The tension had been so great and the release was just enormous. It reminded me of a day over 25 years ago when we went to see Albion at Notts County on the run in to promotion. The whole place was blue and white.

What an amazing day. Had we not won (and we couldn't really have complained if we hadn't), I'm sure Bob would have had nightmares about the miss. No matter. The result is everything.

My son (aged 9) asked me on the way home "Is that the most important game I've been to?" Yes Nick, by a long long way. I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Now, anyone got any spare tickets for the Palace game?

J L Green:

What a result!!!

After spending 90minutes surrounded by northern monkeys, it was the first time that I have left the ground when we scored without cheering. But as soon as we left the stadium, I just let rip!!

About the game... The 1st half I think we were struggling to find any momentum. Dobie was unlucky after about 5 minutes when his volley just went over.

The 2nd half was a different story. Chance after chance went begging, and when Benjys header was saved I thought it would be advantage Dingles. But then up pops Superbob to win the penalty, and how cool was Balis???? The penalty king is born.

By the way, did you know we are all inbreeds??? According to this one northern git who spent the whole of the match hurling abuse at the ref and the whole of the Albion side. Still you cant help feel sorry for the twit as he has to watch that shit every week.

My ratings:

• Hoult - 8 - Yet another clean sheet. Only had to make one save. England's No.?1
• Balis - 7 - Forgetful 1st half, would have got a 5, but 2 extra for the penalty!!
• Siggi - 8 - Solid as ever
• Big Dave - 8 - Superb, this guy scares the life out of forwards
• Gilly - 8 - Good to see he was fit for this game.
• Clemo - 5 - Why oh why does clemo try to skin a player by his own penalty area?
• Chambers - 7 - Got stuck in, unlucky to be booked
• McInnes - 8 - Few passes went astray, otherwise was fired up,and some good challenges
• Johnson - 7 - Unlucky not to score on a couple of occasions, but still runs round like a mad man
• Dichio - 5 - This guy needs to know where his strike partner is. Flick ons went to no mans land
• Dobie - 6 - Unlucky not to score caused one or two problems

Subs

• Taylor - will be having nightmares about the miss, still won the penalty and still better than Dichio at holding the ball up
• Benjy - Gave us strength and pace up front, thought his header was going in

Ref - 3 What a joke this ref was. too inconsistent.

Finally, at 1pm I will be a womble for 90 mins. BOING BOING!!!!!

Bradford Baggie:

Just a quick note to say as a baggie in exile in Bradford, Saturday was a fantastic occasion. (It actually reminded me of a trip to Chesterfield I think. Albion fans had three sides of the ground and after the worst performance of the season Strodder rose at a corner in the last minute to score. If memory serves we all did the congo through the town afterwards)

Anyway I digress - I would like to thank the city fans who were sat around me for the good natured way they allowed us to sit in their end. The stewards and the police could have provided a lot of problems but allowed the fans to mix with no problems - If only all games could be as friendly between the fans!!

[ Don't know which stand you were in, Chris, but a group of Baggies were thrown out of the lower part of the home section of the Ciba stand for the heinous crime of singing The Lord's My Shepherd. Interesting to hear that one in court! ]

Boing Boing

BRADFORD BAGGIE!

Chris Gullick:

From listening to BRMB commentary it would appear that the only player not to perform at 100% was Neil Clement who seemed to do well for the first 10 minutes but then went right off his game. Hopefully the Baggies at the game will tell a different tale.

Anyway, my impression of the game was that we dominated for long periods and soaked up the Bradford pressure when applied, however it appeared that Houlty had next to nothing to do, certainly in the second half.

How much pressure must Balis have been under?

[ How much can you imagine? Double it. Then double it again, several times. Possibly the most important Albion goal for over 20 years, and he just strolled up and banged it away. Megson joked after the game that he probably didn't realise the importance of it! Yeah, right... ]

Certainly not as much pressure as our friends at the Custard Bowl tomorrow.

I know that I may regret writing this but by 3pm tomorrow we could be in the Promised Land.

Come on Wimbledon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cuzer:

Sat in the Bradford end today, couldn't hide my loyalty... so didn't but tried not to be too vocal. Those last 15 minutes I just couldn't help myself. To be fair the Bradford fans were sound, I thought McInnes had a 100% penalty only minutes before we scored, I was out my seat but nothing. Saw the replay on the TV screens under the stadium and it was a definate penalty, superbly tucked away by Igor.

People have already summed the game up well, scrappy and few chances. We went 4-3-3 for the last 15, it wasn't pretty, a lot of early balls into the area but we needed that win, and we went for it, fair play to Megson and the lads.

After the game we made our way out the ground and into the Albion end, I just had to sing myself hoarse. "ONE GARY MEGSON" The noise was deafening and you really sensed we were going to make it.

I'll do quick player marks for all not present

• Hoult 8: Some quality claims in the 2nd half from BCFC set pieces
• Balis 7: Improved as game went on but not at best
• Clement 6: Struggled today but Juanjo was pick of home team
• Siggy 9* Did superbly v Ward
• Moore 8: A Rock
• Gilly 8: Typical Gilly, first to 99% of things
• AJ 7: Worked tirelessly as always but didn't look fully fit
• Chambers 8: Very unluck to be taken off, most improved player by a street
• McInnes 7: Thought he was poor first half but stepped it up when needed
• Dobie 7: Game of few chances but looked lively
• Deech 6: Off the pace today but again a lot of aimless balls to deal with

Subs

• Benji 8: Really added some passion the the front line, impressive 15 mins
• Taylor 8: Should of scored one, maybe two but used all experience for penalty

COME ON WIMBLEDON!!!!!!

Dad:

Lodged in the memory banks: Bradford 13/4/02. Getting there. Silly superstitions and omens. Trying to upgrade to the Sunwin Upper, but being turned down, so having to make do with the Lower. Sitting on hands for 99% of the game. Seeing BJ in the gents...?:-) Not getting a pie. Being Absolutely terrified on 91 minutes when we were awarded the pen.

LOSING IT, GOING BALIS-TIC (sic) WHEN WE SCORED!!!! What the heck.. it didn't matter by then... and there were Baggies all around and above us anyway.

Being SO PROUD of the Baggies away end.

The journey all the way back down the M62/M1 and seeing all the other Baggies... hooting and thumbs up all the way down to the M42.

HAPPY 40th BIRTHDAY, Earl! You're now officially an away supporter par excellence. Roll on Palace...

Heathens:

This is a first, but the match deserved it!

The opportunity has been created for West Bromwich Albion to now return to the top division of English Football. Following yesterdays win at Bradford The Baggies destiny remains in their own hands. Promotion could be achieved whilst not playing today as if The Dingles slip up against Wimbledon, and fail to get at least a point, West Bromwich Albion will be playing in the Premier league next season.

The Match

Started fairly typically with Bradford bossing the first 15 minutes. Albion gradually came more into the game after that and by the final 15 mins of the first quarter I thought that we were in control.

The first 15 mins of the second half I thought were just about even but once again as the half wore on we came more and more into it. We needed some left wing presence as the existence of that part of the pitch was totally ignored for the first 70 minutes, however Megson must have shared my views as he introduced Benjamin for Chambers, followed by Super for Dichio, and we switched to a threatening 3-4-3 formation. The left wing, it became apparent, could be used and the final 20 minutes were completely dominated by Albion. Benjamin forced an unbelievable save from Combe in the Bradford goal, Johnson headed wide, and SuperBob finally missed one! Just when you thought it was over, Bradford substitute Myers took SuperBob's leg away and it was a penalty. Super was down for a while, receiving treatment, and Bradford subbed McCall to a standing ovation (from us as well). Igor Balis had been standing at the edge of the circle on the penalty area, looking it has to be said, the calmest person in the ground. He stepped up and hit what appeared to be an exceptionally hard shot, and I didn't see anymore just heard the noise. All hell broke loose! The remaining minute went (surprisingly) in a flash. A Bradford attack ended when Igor was fouled and from the resulting freekick the ball went on its last journey up field. The shrill sound of the referees whistle ended what surely will become the most significant game in Albion's recent history.

The Players

Ours

• Hoult, one awful moment in the middle of the second half, as he pushed a cross over the line for a corner when it seemed easier to catch it, instant redemption by catching the resulting corner. One other save which although struck hard was caught easily enough
• Balis, poor crosses today, but what the hell, Ice water in his veins!
• Clement, no real danger pushing forward , but no disasters either
• Moore, Great leader, I thought he had an opportunity to clear the danger before committing the foul he was booked for, could have seemed a tad lucky not to get sent off
• Gilchrist, Impressive
• Siggy, welcome back!
• Chambers, unlucky to be subbed, but it had to be done
• Johnson, seemed to still be carrying the effects of Santos' tackle
• McInnes, great leader
• Dichio, not much service
• Dobie, tried hard

Subs

• SuperBob, Super, despite the one miss
• Benjamin, made a difference

Bradford Players

• Combe, made a world class save late on from Benjamin, had no chance with the penalty
• McCall, ran about quite a bit for a 37 year old.Still has something!
• Ward, caused us problems I think, however, others thought Cadamarteri caused us problems!
• Juanjo, pick of their midfield
• Others were sort of anonymous

The Fans

Ours

Lots of Big Daves, some beachwear, and (obviously) hundreds of 'lucky' shirts. Albion fans were to be seen in all four stands, with some being ejected from the lower tier of the SUNWIN (Main) STAND, just before half time, some being ejected from the Bradford part of the CIBA stand just after halftime, for aggressively singing a hymn!!! and it must be mentioned that the 'Executive Package' mob in the upper tier of the SUNWIN stand were in great voice. Their numbers were added to as it seemed that any other Baggies in that stand joined them at halftime. The noise subsided a little as nerves kicked in towards the end of the first half, I remember thinking we need a goal, we did! Second half was just one song after the next, as someone who is normally in with the shawl and flask brigade in The Halfords my throat feels shredded!. (God only knows what DAZ's is like). Thank god for the bottles of water that were awaiting us in the car.

Theirs

On the whole fairly quiet, reserving the best cheer for the substitution of McCall, lots and lots of empty seats, and plenty of space for at least 5,000 more Baggies!

Thanks to Finbarr and Jay Poole for sorting some travel out for me in my hour of need. I left my house at 0930H on Saturday, arriving back at 2200H, I don't feel that tired just emotionally drained, still can't sleep though, awake at 0530H today. (Hence the length of this report)

Looking forward to 1300H and next Sunday now.

Craig Towns:

Finally got home at half ten last night (via plentiful stops for alcohol and baltis along the way)

I'll leave it for others to do the match reports, but yesterday has to go into the top half dozen days of my life. We were both so proud of the Baggies we cannot put it into words. We still have work to do, but it is still in our hands and there for the taking.

The scenes when ice-cool Balis slotted home the penalty were superb. Ok... we sort of invaded the pitch, but it was out of sheer relief and joy rather than with any hooligan element. It "went off" a couple of times during the game, but from where we were, they were isolated individuals - we personally did not see any hooligan or rough treatment by Police or Stewards - we were in the side stand... how about behind the goal (or on the pitch)... any trouble there? I thought the Police and stewards took the right approach to gently get the fans off the pitch at the end.

The only shout I heard during the minutes silence appeared to come from the home fans... can anyone confirm this? Well done our fans for absolutely no noise whatsoever.

Streaker... hmmm! Nice thong, and a dive that Juan-Pablao Angel would be proud of.

Also, the scenes leaving the ground, with all the cars hitting their horns, flags and scarves waving from the windows - brings a lump to the throat just thinking about it. Was it worth queuing from 3.30 for tickets a couple of weeks ago.... I would bloody say so!

Anyway, I am off to sober-up for a couple of hours (and watch Football First on ITV Digital) and then over to the Old Cross, where it seems all the fun is likely to be.

BOING (hic) BOING

Throstle:

Couldn't sleep Friday night for obvious reasons (!) and as for last night the events of the day finally caught up with me (and i suspect) the other occupants of the Dickmobile?

If a Newspaper editor had asked one of his journalists to create a story, illustrating the imagined feelings of a group of football fans whose nerves had been living on a knife edge for weeks, he would probably have dismissed withut trace the fevered ramblings of anyone who dared to write a scenario remotely resembling the events at Bradford.

For 70 minutes Albion were awful. Nerves had won the day and collectively Baggies fans had already conceded the 'fact' that it was play-off time yet again. Chances were created, chances were scorned, and then in added on time Superbob goes down in the box! "PENALTY!!!!!

I looked around and the expressions on everyones faces spoke volumes. "Oh no!". We wanted the penalty, we needed the penalty. BUT with our misrable record were we about to be let down in circumstances that could never be forgotten (or forgiven) if it had gone the way of so many others.

Even the non religous were offering a prayer. To who i have no idea. "For Gods sake, don't miss". Inferring that if there was a 'Supreme Being' guiding the destiny of us all, he, or she, must be a paid up member of Gary Megson's Barmy Army. I tried to envisage the feelings of Igor Balis. Chosen to take a penalty solely because most of our sharpshooters had failed so miserably in the past. Did he realise what was at stake? (stupid question, of course he did) Could he possibly imagine the feelings of the fans if he missed? (Bearing in mind the passionate fevered support that'd been belted out all afternoon he HAD to imagine the consequences)

"Igor-Igor-Igor"....we roared, implored, screamed, "Put it away-make my day-strike a massive pyschological blow to the Wolves players and fans who a minute earlier MUST have felt the ball was back in their court". A delay in taking a penalty is often fatal. Nerves take centre-stage. The size of the goalmouth appears to have shrunk. What had once been a vast open space suddenly resembles a tiny area. Guarded by a keeper who is so huge that there's no way the ball can possibly get past him?

"Igor-Igor-Igor"...Bob gets to his feet after treatment. On the touch-line Meggo, Frank, Nick, and the substitutes can only watch and wait. On the pitch the players mass along the edge of the penalty area, ready to pounce should the ball rebound back to them. "Come on Igor-please, please, please, don't miss"

Every Albion fan in the upper tier was on their feet. (we had been all afternoon!) The incompetent referee (up to the time he'd awarded the penalty!) blew the whistle. Up strolled Igor and "Gooooooooaaaaallll"... goal, goal" Pandemonium on terraces, lets face it, that afternoon they had been terraces, suddenly all of the players apart from Russell Hoult had disappeared from view! I think they'd joined the fans in celebration at the foot of 'terraces"?

"We'd done it", we were in the driving seat. come on the Wombles"

Unknown to Simon, Martin, and Glynis i had switched on a pocket size micro recorder to save for posterity the noise emitted from the Albion fans, and when switched on in the car en route for home, the roars and cheers sounded incredibly loud. "The Lord's My Shepherd"-"Boing-Boing"- "Come on you Baggies" They were all there, plus a a couple pf unmentionable songs about our friends from Molineux!

Back in the 'Dickmobile' and time for the wonderful sounds of the "Grorty Dick" celebration song that's played long and loud whenever the Baggies have won away..... Queen's "Radio Ga-Ga"

That was about it until we heard a Wolves fan ring up Talksport to complain about arrogant Baggie Fans. No further comment needed is there?

[ Would these be the same Wolves fans who were doing Mexican waves and singing about being Champions as long ago as February, with almost a quarter of the season left to play? Or the manager who said after we beat them at the custard bowl, "Let them have their day but we'll have a bigger day at the end of the season"? ]

"Boing-Boing"...."Come on you Wombles"!

PS: I bet Glynis is struggling to to find material for Saturdays Diary. I mean what can she tell us from a non-news day???

cliff61:

What a day yesterday, one of those you always see other clubs enjoying but never the one you love so much... "it never happens to us" etc etc. The atmosphere was electric, albion having all behind the goal and half of the side as well as a fair few on the top tier of the main stand. We piled forward relentlessly in the last half hour, we did everything but score and in the great West Bromwich Albion rule book we KNEW we wouldn't score... it was to much to hope for. SuperBob missed an absolute SITTER with 5 minutes left and that(I thought) was that. Then the same (great) man got the ball in the box, took it inside the defender who took his feet away for a dead cert pen, oh joy of joys. A good 3 minutes passed (Stuart Macall was substituted) before Igor smacked the ball in the bottom left hand corner and a pitch invasion followed but all in the best possible taste. It was just magical and right out of a Roy of the Rovers book.

Today? well I have to work in my coffee shop and I'll have the radio on, but what IF Wolves lose? What am I gonna do? I can hardly share the greatest news with a handful of coffee and drinking regulars can I? It will mean absolutely bugger all to them... "West Bromwich who???" This is one of the problems of not being a local. As "keviebould" has just said.... "I know I am being stupid, and selfish, but I really hope it's a draw tomorrow (today)... as I want to be there when we go up".

Yes it is selfish kev but I know exactly what you mean.... I feel the same.

DottieDot:

Some memories from yesterday before today's game takes things on:

• Arriving early with Chris, finding a curry house only to discover it's "dry". Going on the hunt for beer, going back to curry house after getting a take out from a dodgy pub and ordering food, starving hungry, but then unable to eat it due to churning stomachs and nerves. Waiter offered a doggy bag but we politely declined
• Buying a soft drink in the petrol station. In the sea of Bradford and Albions fans the bloke behind the counter is wearing a Man Utd shirt. Let out a silent groan!
• Get to the ground. Searching for words of comfort and reassurance from the GD eds. None forthcoming. They are as nervous as everyone else
• Minute's silence for the victims of Bradford fire disaster respectfully observed. Well done everyone
• Sense of expectation and excitement among West Brom fans. Wish I could sing. When I open my mouth nothing comes out. Can barely stand the tension, especially as game goes on it becomes clear that the Bantams are not about to roll over and had it to us on a plate
• The "suited and booted" crowd on the exec packages do us proud, and occasionally lead the singing. Seem to be Albion fans in every bit of the ground
• Puny, pasty semi-streaker appears on the pitch. There are some things we just don't need to see, but chants of "you're not fit to wear that thong" very amusing
• Penalty!! An Albion fan I've never met before appears next to me and says he can't watch. We hold on to each other, my head watching over his shoulder while he has his back to the pitch. Igor scores. We jump up and down like nutters, and then as suddenly as he appeared he's gone again. If you are reading this, my friend, then thanks for propping me up. My legs were like jelly
• Amazing scenes as our fans invade the pitch. Desperately hoping celebration is not premature but can't help being over-whelmed by the occasion. Absolutely fantastic
• Leaving the ground in tears and barely able to walk. Have never cried at a match before. Jokingly ask West Brom fans not to sing "we're going up as runners-up" in case it tempts fate. They don't take any notice. Bradford fans are walking up to West Brom fans and shaking hands. Marvellous
• Walking around in a daze outside the ground waiting for Chris to finish working. Bradford steward comes over and shakes my hand and wishes us well. He says a lot of their fans hope we go up, as W*lves were the worst fans they had had there all season
• Visit the Bradford fire memorial to restore a sense of perspective
• Notice team bus arriving so hang around like the groupie I aspire to be. One by one the players emerge, none of them saying very much. Bob looks like the walking wounded. The fingers on his left hand are strapped together, he's carrying his arm support in the other and is hobbling badly. I ask him how he is. He says he'll be fine, but he looked well and truly knobbled and in some pain. Hope he's ok for next week

What a day! Proud to be a Baggie? You bet!

Bryn Jones:

Man of the Match? Who else but Super Igor - for hitting a perfect penalty under almost unbearable pressure. Whatever he did in the match - and he was calm and competent as usual - he deserves 10 marks for this one piece of class.

Runners-up

• Gilly and Big Dave for tireless effort and alertness at the back
• Siggy for effort and composure
• Super Bob, who was cruelly unlucky with a shot on 82 minutes, but still created the threat that led to the penalty
• McInnes for industry and leadership despite the usual quota of give away passes
• Hoult for making shot saving look easy and putting last Sunday's fumbling behind him
• Chambers for snuffing out Bradford attacks and driving forward to create problems of the B-ford defence
• Dobie for constant running and clever link up play, despite missing a couple of good chances
• Benjamin for putting their defence on red alert with a rapid succession of shots and headers
• Megson: for the inspired substitutions and tactics that recovered the confidence and ground lost after last week's drawn game

Disappointments

• Clement: for wayward positioning and clumsy clearances, despite a promising start with attacking runs
• Dichio whose early link up play helped create some good moves, but who can't seem to move quickly enough into the danger spots in the opposition area and whose weak jumping later on lost many balls in the air

After last weeks jitters Albion showed some of their normal strengths in probably their most difficult game to date: after weathering intermittent bouts of pressure from a dangerous, but ultimately toothless Bradford team.

Albion were the more prominent in the opening stages with Igor and Chambers getting in crosses from the right that Dobie either headed over or failed to connect with, plus a couple of similar efforts dreated by Clement from the left.

In a late surge before the half-time whistle Dichio, under pressure, somehow contrived to head a corner out of the Bradford box. But the best chance in this spell fell to Dobie, whose runs were unsettling the Bradford defence. Receiving the ball in an unmarked position on the edge of the Bradford area, Albion's striker opted for a swerving side-foot shot. Combe, in the Bradford goal, was well positioned to collect but had to retrieve after spilling the ball.

In between these spells and again after the break Bradford had most of the ball with McCall out to impress on his last home game, prompting several attacks in the middle of the park. Although Bradford exploited Clement's uncertain play on the left, they found few ways through the middle of the Albion defence. The most frightening moment came on the 30 minute mark when 'Big Dave' brought down Ward yards from the right side of the Albion box: deliberate foul by the last man? We held our breath but the ref decided 'no' and was content with waving the yellow card.

Bradford shaded the first 20 minutes of the second half with Cadamateri beating the Albion centre backs for pace on several occasions but unable to work out clear-cut shooting chances. Albion's play was now becoming scrappy with long bouts of head tennis and speculative punts to the front men. Only a break forward by Chambers that led to Johnson lunging into, and injuring, Combe, threatened the Bradford goal.

The substitution of Benjamin for Chambers (65 minutes) and then Taylor for Dichio (71 minutes) put more pressure on the Bradford defence. Benjamin caused problems almost straight away with a powerful run down the left wing that unfortunately he could only cross into the crowd and a shot on the turn that just cleared the left angle of the goal. The last 20 minutes were more or less one-way traffic to the Bradford goal with Clement, Benjamin and Taylor all putting efforts just too high or bringing full-stretch saves from Comber.

When Albion were refused a penalty for McCall's barge on Dobie it looked like Albion's luck had run out. But the last minute high tackle on Superbob on the left side of the Bradford area saw the gods smile at last on the Albion squad and the thousands of travelling Baggies. It seemed to take an age to sort out the booking, the treatment to Taylor and the complaints of the Bradford players. The Bradford manager cranked up the pressure by brining off McCall (with only two minutes to go!) to thunderous Bradford applause while the slight figure of Balis stood patiently with the ball.

At last the kick. The keeper guesses right and flings himself to his right... but it's a perfect shot and the ball cuts inside the post at waist height. The stadium erupts and hundreds of jubilant Baggies invade the pitch in to congratulate Super Cool Igor. Albion play out the last minute and a half with composure and determination. Then at the final whistle the pitch is invaded by thousands. One more win needed for glory! But will the lack of striking edge - magnified by the absence of Benjamin - leave us stalled on the finishing line?

Roger:

Please include this photo of Baggies Supporter Mick Brown of Litton, Derbyshire. After all the excitement he just could not stand any more!!!!!

[ How can a Baggies fan possibly sleep at a time like this????? ]

Mick adds:

"Just a note in my defence to say that this photo was taken after 'watching' wolves v Wimbledon on ceefax aided by a couple of beers."

[ Fair enough! Watching Wolves has that effect on most people... ]