[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

With frosty sward and tomato saucery, January's first Saturday morning greets us, as always, with the unseasonably lush promise of FA Cup football. The sport's very own grail quest once again takes up its majestic crusade against obsolescence with such tantalising ties as a Tyne-Wear derby and a first third round appearance for Maidstone United since 1987, while Albion have - somewhat inconsiderately for writers who illustrate their match threads with pictures of previous encounters - drawn Aldershot Town, whom we've never before played (except for that one ill-fated friendly abandoned after the untimely rampage of a giant chocolate dinosaur firing lasers from its mouth, about which we survivors seldom speak).

It's the second season in a row we've kicked off against non-league opposition, following last year's replay triumph over Chesterfield; at home, our record against non-league sides since 1990 has been 27-4 (though the less said about those four conceded, the better). Tommy Widdrington's men thus arrive at the Hawthorns tomorrow on the heels of their victories against Lewes, Swindon and Stockport - the middle fixture a truly remarkable away upset which saw them race into a 7-0 lead within an hour before surviving a fightback at the death to win 7-4 - hoping that one of theirs will become the first man since Tim Buzaglo to silence the Brummie Road End.

One for the Albion youngsters? More than likely; the squad's simply stretched too thin to risk a strong side, and therein lies the fighting chance Aldershot have. An upset would certainly be an embarrassment, though not the end of the world during a strong playoff charge in the league; nevertheless, the cup's the cup, and after such a kind draw the Baggies must look to progress.

[4evaabaggie]

Job done…. West Brom 4 Aldershot 1

Only downer we didn’t keep a clean sheet. A late consolation.
To be fair, I am glad we didn’t annihilate them, they are amateurs and have done well to reach the third round. Also glad their supporters had something to cheer about to make the journey home better.

[Baggievicar]

3 good finishes, plus Malcolm's was well put away but he'd have been blocked off by higher level defenders.
Lovely to get through a tie like that without drama, though.

[drewks]

Job done…. West Brom 4 Aldershot 1

Only downer we didn’t keep a clean sheet. A late consolation.
To be fair, I am glad we didn’t annihilate them, they are amateurs and have done well to reach the third round. Also glad their supporters had something to cheer about to make the journey home better.

Not sure if they're amateurs 4eva - I'd think probably semi pro at worst..... could be wrong though.
Not withstanding that, they still need to be beaten, and with the squad we had for this game I think we did that pretty well (although I've only seen the highlights!).

[4evaabaggie]

Job done…. West Brom 4 Aldershot 1

Only downer we didn’t keep a clean sheet. A late consolation.
To be fair, I am glad we didn’t annihilate them, they are amateurs and have done well to reach the third round. Also glad their supporters had something to cheer about to make the journey home better.

Not sure if they're amateurs 4eva - I'd think probably semi pro at worst..... could be wrong though.
Not withstanding that, they still need to be beaten, and with the squad we had for this game I think we did that pretty well (although I've only seen the highlights!). 

Drewks,

You’re probably right, I was a bit in generous calling them amateurs. I was referring more to the fact they are non league without the big bucks of professional clubs especially those towards the top end of the piramid.
Our funds are peanuts compared to the greed league but massive compared to non league.

Brentford or The dingles at home in round four.

Come on you Baggies.

[Salopbaggie]

So who are people routing for in next weeks replay Brentford or the Dingles? With our squad so badly depleted through injury and AFCON as well as simple lack of a squad, do we want to take on a Prem side, knowing up front what the consequences of losing to them would be or take the easier option, where whatever the result was there wouldn't be flack for the next 30 years. On the other hand should we deprive Dike the opportunity to write his name in club folk law by scoring a first half hat-trick against them? thoughts.

[Dingle-Dingle]

With the transfer window open our beloved Chairman has time to bring in the £200M worth of players he promised us.

DD#No1