Bescot Banter columnist Lee Hale reviews what turned out to be a Super September for The Super Saddlers;
September 2012 is certainly not a month, which too many Saddlers fans will forget too quickly, with some beautiful, total footballing performances and some great results to match.
September 2012 is certainly not a month, which too many Saddlers fans will forget too quickly, with some beautiful, total footballing performances and some great results to match.
The last month has bred in some much needed confidence in
the Saddlers camp and in the fans, something which has become a well documented
rarity over the last few years.
September kicked off with a home tie against Brentford, always
a tough clash and with Brentford expected to be hunting for revenge after
Walsall dumped them out of the Capital One Cup a few weeks previously.
The game started so well with The Saddlers snatching a 2-0
lead by half time through goals from Jamie Paterson and George Bowerman, but by
the end of the clash those of us in the home sections were felt feeling like we
had suffered defeat, as we gave up the lead in the final five minutes as
Brentford brought it back to level terms.
Richard Taundry and Febian Brandy both handed the first team
large boosts by returning from thigh and hamstring problems respectively and
turning out for the reserves against Tipton Town.
Walsall were handed a home tie with Port Vale in the second
round of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy after being given a bye through the first
round.
Next up was the visit of MK Dons, amidst the game build-up
there was a sobering and unfortunate overtone as former Saddler Matt Gadsby’s
family joined us to promote the charity set up in Matt’s name following his
death while playing for Hinckley Town, CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young).
On the pitch, Walsall undoubtedly did Matt Gadsby proud, as
a 17th minute goal forced over the line from “the nutter in the
middle” Dean Holden, the boys held out well for a stunning, if slightly
unexpected three points.
One of the fixtures that probably stuck out to a lot of fans
when the fixture lists emerged is Portsmouth away, and that is where we headed
next, on one hand, not expecting a lot of chance from the fallen giants, but on
the other quietly hoping to take advantage of the well publicised difficulties
for the Southerners off the pitch.
Walsall did indeed take as much advantage as possible with a
2-1 victory, with two absolutely stunning long range goals, the progressively
impressive James Baxendale and the always exciting Florent Cuvelier with the
goals, whilst one time Walsall target Izale Mcleod got a consolation for Pompey
but it proved too little too late. No doubt a much happier trip home, than many
expected.
Next up brought a midweek away trip to Stevenage at the
Lamex Stadium, and Walsall’s first and only defeat of September, going 3-1 down
with goals from Robin Shroot, Greg
Tansey and Lucas Akins for Stevenage and George Bowerman grabbing the Saddlers’
goal.
Walsall completed the one month signing of highly rated
young Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Karl Darlow, just in time for the visit of
Preston, to cover Jimmy Walker who was out with injury, with the exciting
youngster seemingly determined to impress.
So on to the visit of Preston North End, no doubt seeking
some element of revenge after we turned them over 1-0 in the reverse fixture
last season.
Walsall, however had definitely not read the script, as they
stormed the game and gave the kind of performance, which left some believing
that some of the young fans will find it difficult to remember many better.
Walsall went down to an early Preston goal but we were soon
back in the game through a typically beautiful Baxendale strike, before a
George Bowerman double ensured another three points.
Last but not least, the Saddlers sought to finish off
September on a high, with a good result on the road once again, this time at
big spending Bournemouth.
The game started well with the Saddlers going in at the
break in the lead through a typically strong Andy Butler header set up by the inspirational James Baxendale.
Bournemouth were back on terms with seven minutes to go
through a smashed effort from Charlie Daniels, before the brilliant George
Bowerman lashed in a winner past former England goalkeeper David James with
seconds remaining, again making for a very happy September journey from the
south coast.
All in all a brilliant month for the Saddlers which leaves
us sitting in joint third position in League one, our youthful side is showing
some excellent awareness, hunger and energy and putting on some frankly
mouth-watering performances, which have got a lot of fans very excited.
Also here’s a thought, let us hope that this upturn in form,
will prove to be the catalyst for a much need upturn in attendances.
Here’s hoping this isn’t a one month thing and we can carry
this form forward into October!
By: Lee Hale
By: Lee Hale