Magic of Boiler Man… and the FA Cup: West Brom 1-2 Brighton Photos
Whilst our photos from West Brom 1-2 Brighton featuring 20,000 empty seats at the Hawthorns might give you an impression that the magic of the FA Cup is no more, do not be fooled.
Yes, Baggies fans had about the same enthusiasm for the competition as Prince Andrew currently does for going on holiday to the United States.
Barely 6,000 home supporters bothered to turn out with their club’s focus very much on promotion from the Championship to continue their yo-yo existence rather than the FA Cup.
Albion fans in contrast love the competition. The away end was busy, noisy, featured tin foil FA Cups and appreciative of the fact that West Brom remains the only ground in the country where you can buy a shot of brandy on the concourse. Paul Barber, take note.
There was also the chance to see Boiler Man, the Baggies’ famous mascot who is quite literally a walking combi boiler. Several of you decided to concentrate on taking photos of Boiler Man rather than the action in West Brom 1-2 Brighton and frankly, who can blame you?
The football you see was pretty dire up until about the 80th minute. Despite Graham Potter taking the FA Cup refreshingly seriously by naming a strong side, the hosts took the lead two minutes into the second half with their only shot on target all afternoon from Callum Robinson.
It looked like the Albion would be on the end of a somewhat embarrassing exit against a Championship side’s second string. That was until Cedric Kipré managed to pick up two yellow cards in the space of a minute to leave West Brom trying to cling on with only 10 men.
The arrival of substitute Jakub Moder also helped changed the game. Moder levelled things up with 10 minutes remaining, necessitating 30 minutes of extra time as the tie was to be decided on the day.
Neal Maupay then scored what proved to be the winner midway through the first additional period, giving Brighton victory.
Next up in the FA Cup, a trip to the magnificent Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. If only they had a mascot as magnificent as Boiler Man…
If you have any photos you would like included our West Brom 1-2 Brighton gallery, please e-mail them to wearebrighton@hotmail.co.uk or tweet them to us @wearebrighton
