Spireites make a Swift exit as Baggies roll on

A SECOND-STRING West Brom side powered past National League outfit Chesterfield last night to book their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

The Championship promotion chasers proved too strong for the Spireites, who were the architects of their own downfall. Two defensive errors led to John Swift and Tom Rogic scoring either side of half-time before Jake Livermore wrapped up the game with a third from a corner and Jovan Malcolm headed in a fourth in stoppage time. There was a feeling of bitterness for Chesterfield, who had been seconds away from progressing in the reverse fixture at the Technique Stadium before Brandan Thomas-Asante headed in a 93rd-minute equaliser for the Baggies. The striker, though, should have been sent off for an elbow on Jeff King two minutes before the goal. He was handed a three-game ban but it was of no comfort to Paul Cook’s team. There was a case of history repeating itself as Chesterfield had lost their 1997 semi-final replay against Middlesbrough 3-0 after they were denied a legitimate goal in the first game. The 2,000 travelling fans had hoped it would be different this time, but it was not to be.

Ten changes to the Baggies side that beat Luton on Saturday, indicated Carlos Corberan’s priorities lie with the league. But unlike their near exit a fortnight ago, West Brom started on the front foot and their pressure told when Swift, the only man to retain his place from the weekend, netted the opener midway through the first half. A poor clearance from Jamie Grimes fell to Livermore, who headed the ball down for Swift to take one touch before curling a fine shot into the lefthand corner. Grady Diangana should have made it 2-0 when he found himself one-on-one with Lucas Covolan, but the Chesterfield goalkeeper spread himself well to make a save. Covolan’s stop mattered little though as a dreadful error from King gifted the Baggies a second just after half-time. The defender should have been able to clear Adam Reach’s cross with ease but for unknown reasons attempted a backheel in his own box. The ball fell to a grateful Rogic, who poked the ball into the top right corner.

It felt like only a matter of time before the Baggies found a third and it came six minutes later when Swift’s corner fell at the feet of Livermore, who smashed the ball in from close range. Chesterfield improved but it was the hosts who found the net again through Malcolm.

WEST BROM (4-2-3-1): Button 6; Gardner-Hickman 6, Ajayi 6.5, Kelly 6.5, Reach 6; LIVERMORE 7.5, Rogic 6.5 (Molumby 76min); Swift 7 (Phillips 55, 6), Andrews 6.5 (Townsend 61, 6), Diangana 6.5 (Wallace 76); Cleary 6 (Malcolm 61, 6). Scorers: Swift 23, Rogic 48, Livermore 54, Malcolm 90+1. Booked: Ajayi.

Manager: Carlos Corberan 7. CHESTERFIELD (4-1-4-1): Covolan 6.5; King 5 (Sheckleford 65, 6), Williams 5, Grimes 4, Clements 6 (Horton 78); Jones 6 (Akinola 65, 6); Mandeville 6.5 (Uchegbulam 75), Asante 6, Oldaker 6, Dobra 6.5; Tshimanga 6 (Banks 64, 6). Booked: Banks, Dobra.

Manager: Paul Cook 5.

Referee: Tim Robinson 6.

Attendance: 12,638.