The Baggies returned to action on Saturday afternoon as James Morrison’s side secured an impressive 4–1 victory over Shrewsbury Town. A brace from Jimmy Jay-Morgan, alongside goals from Harry Whitwell and Aune Heggebø, sealed a convincing pre-season win.
After 12 weeks without Albion action, it is finally back we did have the World Cup throughout it with the late kick offs and hydration breaks and England losing in the Semi Finals at the death to Argentina. However, the Baggies returned to action at Shrewsbury on Saturday afternoon as we’ve seen faces in our starting team and what potential have we got coming into the Championship campaign in three weeks time.
Over 3,000 Baggies fans were in attendance for this Pre-Season Friendly as it was an away sell out, A lively opening spell saw the Baggies create several early chances. Jimmy Jay-Morgan was the first to threaten, firing into the side netting before striking the post moments later. Ousmane Diakité then tested Shrewsbury goalkeeper Sam Proctor with a well-hit effort as Albion continued to apply the pressure.
The early pressure paid off after 16 minutes when Aune Heggebø capitalised on a defensive mix-up before finding strike partner Jimmy Jay-Morgan. Morgan then teed up Harry Whitwell, who kept his composure to curl a superb finish beyond Sam Proctor and give the Baggies a deserved lead.
Albion doubled their advantage less than 10 minutes later as another defensive error from the hosts was ruthlessly punished. An unfortunate slip handed Jimmy Jay-Morgan a clear run on goal, and the former Chelsea forward kept his composure to slot the ball beyond Sam Proctor and make it 2–0.
Shrewsbury began to grow into the contest after falling two goals behind and reduced the deficit 10 minutes later. Isaac Fletcher found the net for the hosts, ensuring they trailed by just one goal heading into the latter stages of the first half.
Albion restored their two-goal cushion before the break. Alex Mowatt’s inviting corner was met by Chris Mepham, whose header was turned home by the alert Jimmy Jay-Morgan from close range to claim his second goal of the afternoon and send the Baggies into half-time with a commanding 3–1 lead.
Albion continued to dominate possession and create the better opportunities after the break. Jimmy Jay-Morgan came close to completing his hat-trick with two efforts, Harry Whitwell forced Sam Proctor into another fine save, while Ousmane Diakité thundered a long-range strike against the crossbar as the Baggies searched for a fourth goal.
Once again, Albion’s pressure proved decisive as they added a fourth goal, with Morgan turning provider this time. A slick passing move around the edge of the Shrewsbury penalty area created space for the 20-year-old to deliver a pinpoint cross, which Aune Heggebø headed home from close range to complete the scoring.
West Brom: O’Leary, Williams, Mepham, Campbell, Styles (Maughan 89), Diakite, Mowatt, Whitwell (McNeil 89), Price (Colesby 89), Morgan, Heggebø.
A 4-1 victory over League Two outfit Shrewsbury shows it is confidence building for the Baggies side, and I admit Jimmy Jay-Morgan is some signing from Chelsea this summer, I think we could have our own Lukaku after all with him after his impressive start to Pre-Season. After the game our fans invaded the pitch to get photos with the players but it was great to be back out to watch football again and next up is Peterborough next Saturday where I be back match previewing this one before our Cup game the following week to Rotherham.