Following Tuesday nights npower League One encounter with in-form Leyton Orient, columnist Sam Wright shares his Match Report;
However, Orient came out firing, and appeared to just want the game more than us, having a few early chances but not really testing Darlow. He may want to use this as an excuse as Cook slotted the ball in on 11 minutes, after Purkiss had backed off and off and allowed him into the box for the shot.
This seemed to get the travellers tails up, and they chased
every ball down and truth be told, were the better team as we struggled to keep
possession. However, we continued with our philosophy of passing the ball
around, and earned James Baxendale a long range shot soon after the goal that
dipped just over.
We could not build on this chance, and the O’s were still
knocking the ball around better than us, and did not allow us to get the
strikers into the game at all. Featherstone, as always, was knocking the ball
around well for us in reply but we were never really in the first 25 minutes.
Orient were rewarded again soon after for their hard working
display, and on 29 minutes striker Kevin Lisbie went down, leaving the ball to
roll to midfielder Cox who unleashed a shot that went sailing over Darlow’s
head into the goal from the halfway line. There was some debate over who was to
blame, and Butler and Holden failed to get close to him as he teed it up, but
in my opinion a keeper should not be in position to get lobbed from that
distance and be able to dismiss it as just a good finish.
The half sort of fizzled out after that, although Darlow was forced into a one handed save after a strong header from a corner, nobody really looked like they wanted it. Orient were happy to take the 2 goal advantage into the second half, and we just couldn’t conjure up the spirit to get into the game.
The half sort of fizzled out after that, although Darlow was forced into a one handed save after a strong header from a corner, nobody really looked like they wanted it. Orient were happy to take the 2 goal advantage into the second half, and we just couldn’t conjure up the spirit to get into the game.
HT: Walsall 0 Leyton Orient 2
There was a lot of worry around me at half time, with most
fans thinking about how many more we may ship in, rather than how we would get
back into it. However, credit to Deano for how different we came out in the
second half. The midfield all got into the game, and Baxendales weaving run
earned us a great free kick opportunity which was drilled straight at the wall
by Andy Taylor.
We continued to push hard at the defence, not truly
penetrating until Flo Cuvelier found Purkiss’ great run behind his full back,
who had no choice but to bring him down, Penalty Walsall. After Bowerman’s calm
penalty against Preston, it was a shock to everyone, including him, that he was
not given the responsibility, but instead it went to Will Grigg. He smashed it
straight down the centre of the goal, sending the keeper away to his right and
Walsall were back in it, 2-1 on 58 minutes.
The emphasis was still very much on attack, and after
returning from injury, Brandy was bought and looked lively. He was them joined
by Hemmings who also wanted to attack the full backs.
Soon after coming on, Brandy got himself into a great
position in the box, and appeared to clearly be fouled as he tried to shoot,
referee Bond said no to the amazement of everyone near the ball, as well as in
the stands. Surely in Purkiss’ had not been given this one would have, a simple
case of the referee not having the bottle to give 2 penalties in quick
succession.
This seemed to spur up the side and we pushed forward in
numbers, leading to a great chance for Andy Butler late in the half, he has
three stabs at the ball, on saved, one blocked and one clipping the post.
However it seemed fair it was missed after Brandy quite blatantly caught the
ball in the box to lead to the shots.
The Saddlers bought on hometown boy Taundry in a desperate
attempt to salvage something as the game moved in to the five minutes stoppage
time. He went into the midfield as Purkiss went off, and as Butler joined the
attack we had just 2 at the back and 4 up front. Despite this, we still couldn't make a clear chance, until Butler was once again completely bundled
down in the box, but the ref still didn't have the courage to point to the spot
for the second time, much to the frustration of the Walsall captain and fans.
Overall I feel it is quite harsh that we have came away with
no points from this one, but if it takes you 50 minutes to make an impression
on a match you have to expect it. The defence seemed very slow at times, which wasn't helped by some poor processional play in the first half. Although as the
game went on we improved, we still struggled to create clear cut chances and
long shots were our best hope. In my opinion we did deserve a draw, largely
because of our two strong penalty shouts that were not given, but we can’t rely
on officials. We need to dust ourselves down and bounce back against Carlisle.
MOTM: I personally think that after the first goal Purkiss
played out of his skin, but Joe Westley disagrees and has ordered me to say
that Cuvelier was our best player by a mile.
FT: Walsall 1 (Grigg PEN 58') Leyton Orient 2 (Cook 11' Cox 29')
Attendance: 3,281
Referee: D, Bond
By: Sam Wright