The revolution will NOT be televised...

15 May 2001

Baggies fans unable to get to Bolton have been denied the chance to watch their side fight for a place in the playoff final on TV. Sky Sports have made the "Editorial Decision" to show the second leg game between Preston and Birmingham City instead, having already shown the first leg from St Andrews on Sunday; a dull game, by all accounts, which ended 1-0 in Blues' favour. By contrast, the Albion game at the Hawthorns saw Bolton fight back from a 2-0 deficit to square the tie in the last ten minutes, providing a passionate and entertaining spectacle and setting up a big showdown at the Reebok on Thursday.

The fact that Trevor "this week I will be mostly blaming..." Francis works for Sky as a regular pundit has nothing to do with the decision, we're sure. Nor does the fact that attendances at the Reebok have been less than satisfactory over recent months - along with Bolton's home form which has seen two wins in ten games.

All of which makes it imperative that Baggies fans make every effort to get to the game! Last reports suggested that the Club still had some of the allocated 5,000 tickets left for the game, which are now on sale to supporters who can produce ticket stubs from any five away games from this season.

Good news on the away goals front, however - those annoying two by Bolton don't count against us, as the tie will be decided by extra time if all square after 90 minutes on Thursday, then on penalities. Conflicting reports have been circulating, but the League have confirmed that the away goals rule was scrapped last season in an effort to make for more entertaining football. Didn't work at St Andrews, though, did it...?

Previous Stories:

  06 May 2001:  5000 tickets for Bolton game

  06 May 2001:  Trouble at 'Pool

  01 May 2001:  Blues in playoff woes already

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