Bulls 1 West Brom XI 2

In their final public pre-season game on Friday evening, Graham Turner's partially assembled squad fell just short of matching the midlands Premiership newcomers in an interesting tussle at Edgar Street. An opening goal credited to Jerry Ani was cancelled out by Craig Beatie who went on to notch the later winner.

Craig Samson got the nod for the keeper's spot as Turner fielded a largely recognisable starting eleven, which included just right-sided wide-man Leroy Jamieson as the only previously unseen player. Having said that, the player suggested as being Jerry Ani, seemed to display different characteristics to the player of the same name who played against Southampton. Maybe time will tell?

As a spectacle, the game was well worth watching given that it was clear that several experimental tactics were, once again, being employed. Both sides played good football at a decent tempo but chances were few and far between as defences were generally in control. For The Bulls, Beckwith was commanding while trialist Sam Oji looked composed and effective.

With the game just eight minutes old, "Ani" pulled a cross back from the bye-line to Guinan but The Bulls striker was foiled by a good stop from Danek in the Baggies goal. Jamieson showed good pace and technique to provide a near-post cross before "Ani" lifted a shot over the bar. For West Brom, Slurzarski wasted an opportunity when he blazed over from close range.

Just five minutes into the second half, The Bulls took the lead. A corner from the left taken by Jamieson was controlled and re-centered by Guinan. The cross was met by "Ani" who nodded into the Baggies net. Shortly after, Guinan was replaced by Bradley Hudson-Odoi while further replacements saw Smith, Breen and Easton come on for Taylor, Oji and Done. Before the new combination could settle, Allayw crossed and Beatie hammered in from ten yards to put The Baggies level. Then with just fifteen minutes remaining, Beatie got the winner when he was left unmarked to power home a header from the edge of the six-yard box. The final quarter of an hour saw a brief but promising contribution from the returning Sam Gwynne.

Overall, it was another useful workout for the squad but there remains some work to be done by way of additions before the big kick-off in just over a week's time. With relatively few new faces on display, it must be hoped that GT still has a few cards up his sleeve. It is believed that a "behind closed doors" game has been arranged for mid-week when final preparations will be made for the League 1 debut game against Orient on the following Saturday.

The game was watched by 1692, which included 483 from The Hawthorns.

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