Lincoln City 4 West Brom 2 : Report as Albion concede two early goals in defeat
Albion conceded twice inside the opening three minutes as they suffered defeat to Lincoln City in their penultimate pre-season encounter.
Karlan Grant and Devante Cole supplied West Brom with consolation goals as Ryan Mason’s side were comfortably beaten 4-2 by the Imps at Sincil Bank.
The Baggies found themselves behind after just 45-seconds of play, and two down after less than three-minutes.
The clash was Albion’s first with Lincoln since 1991 and their second in front of supporters during pre-season.
Aune Heggebo was handed his first start since joining the club while new signing George Campbell featured on the bench alongside Josh Maja who has recently returned to training.
Daryl Dike, who started for the Baggies at Blackpool last weekend did not feature in the squad, alongside Ousmane Diakite. Jed Wallace and Kyle Bartley also missed out.
In what was a nightmare start to proceedings for the Baggies, Lincoln stunned Ryan Mason’s side, scoring twice inside the opening two-and-a-half minutes.
It took just 45 seconds for the hosts to gain the lead as Jovon Makama turned home at close range from a corner.
The Lincoln winger then picked up on a loose ball and emphatically fired past Josh Griffiths from long-range to extend his side‘s lead.
Albion looked for a response, and both Callum Styles and Isaac Price saw efforts blocked before the 15-minute mark. And after driving through the Lincoln defence minutes later, Price fired wide.
The Baggies could have found themselves three down at the break, if not for a superb stop from Josh Griffiths to deny Adam Jackson’s header.
Lincoln forward James Collins blazed an effort wide moments after before sloppy play presented Jack Moylan with a chance, but Griffiths was equal to his shot.
George Campbell was given his first minutes for Albion, brought on at half-time alongside Joe Wildsmith.
Darnell Furlong saw a powerful effort parried away by Lincoln goalkeeper George Wickens as the Baggies looked to claw a goal back. However, in the 53rd-minute, Ryley Towler headed home at the back post to give the hosts their third.
Karlan Grant appeared to move into a more central role for the second period, and the 27-year-old supplied Baggies with their first goal through a powerful low strike past Wickens from around 30-yards out.
Ryan Mason introduced Mikey Johnston and Caleb Taylor for Tom Fellows and Jayson Molumby before Josh Maja replaced Isaac Price in what was a great sight for the Albion faithful.
To cap off a difficult afternoon for the Baggies, former Walsall man Freddie Draper raced through down the right side and found Jack Moylan who supplied their fourth goal.
It came before late substitute Devante Cole netted Albion’s seconds before the full-time whistle.
The loss comes after the Baggies were beaten 1-0 by Fulham in a behind-closed-doors friendly midweek.
Albion will host Rayo Vallecano next Saturday (August 2) for what will be Ryan Mason’s first game in charge at The Hawthorns, and his side’s final pre-season encounter.
Lineups:
Albion: Griffiths (Wildsmith 46), Furlong, Phillips, Heggem, Styles (Campbell, 46), Fellows (Johnston, 68), Molumby (Taylor, 68), Mowatt Grant (Cole, 85), Price (Maja,76), Heggebo.
Unused subs: Williams , Frabotta, Deeming, Whitwell.
Lincoln City: Wickens, (Okewoye, 90), Jackson, Bradley, Towler (Street, 73), Makama (Hamer 73), McGrandles, Bayliss (Hamilton, 73), Hackett (Okoro, 82), House (Moylan, 18), Collins (Draper, 77).
Unused subs: Jeacock, Pardington/.
Referee: Darren Drysdale
Attendance: 3,127 (1,229 away)
