Following Saturday afternoon's whirlwind draw with npower League One rivals Yeovil Town, columnist Jack Hansford shares his Match Report;Walsall entertained Yeovil Town in what was our 16th game of a long, winless run. Would we finally get ourselves a victory at a gloomy Banks's Stadium?
The Saddlers' actually started the game quite brightly, although any chances for both teams were very few and far between. The Walsall midfield battled strongly as we tried to force an opening, whilst Yeovil were constantly guilty of being in offside positions throughout the first half.
It was us who grabbed the opener on 13 minutes. The outstanding Febian Brandy, who made all of the afternoon's running, persisted down the right hand side before his cross was brilliantly finished off by Jamie Paterson. The winger calmly slotted the ball away in the far corner from some way out.
Soon after it was Yeovil who should have arguably been back on level terms. A Glovers' free kick was launched up to 6 ft 6 Dan Burn who rose up with McCarey. He got the faintest of touches on the ball which directed it into the net after Holden tried to clear. The referee felt there was a foul on the 'keeper, much to the relief of everyone, although it appeared many were largely surprised that the goal didn't stand.
Walsall went in at the break deservedly ahead as Yeovil offered very little in the opening 45.
H/T: Walsall 1 Yeovil Town 0
The second half was a lot like the first with Walsall very much the dominate side in possession. The problem was that we hardly created any clear cut chances and out good build up play was constantly going to waste.
In a still tight game, it took until the 72nd minute before the Saddlers' doubled their lead. Man of the match Brandy raced clear on the left hand side after he wonderfully controlled the ball on the touchline. Once on the edge of the area, he unselfishly laid it off to Grigg who cut back inside and finished well past Marek Stech in the Yeovil net.
Immediately after, Grigg could have made it 3-0 after an attempted lob over the onrushing Stech but the chance went begging. Instead, it was Yeovil who undeservedly got themselves a way back into the game. Sam Foley forced his way through a number of Walsall bodies before his low cross was easily turned in by former Saddlers' loanee Reuben Reid. Unfortunately, it was so obvious what was going to happen next.
Up stepped the creator of their first, Sam Foley. Walsall's inability to defend set pieces meant a Yeovil free kick bounced its way around the penalty area and after a tense scramble, the midfielder stroked the ball past McCarey as it squeezed inside the near post.
Both teams made a last ditch attempt to grab a winner but it wasn't to be and it was an all too familiar story for Walsall whilst Yeovil somehow went back to Somerset with a point.
FT: Walsall (Paterson 13' Grigg 72') Yeovil Town 2 (Reid 78' Foley 90+1')
ATT: 3,160
REF: Tony Bates
MOTM: Febian Brandy
I'm not really sure what to say about this one, there are far too many things wrong at the moment to list. Our third home game of the season where we have gone away with one point after being 2-0 up. Where does the blame lie? Dean Smith made two odd substitutions just like he has in many of our previous games. Brandy going off took the sting out of a play, as he was largely unplayable at times. Bringing a left back on in the last minute also does beg the question.
Worryingly, it was far too predictable from Walsall I'm afraid, no doubt some good football being attempted at times but never any meaningful end product. It meant that it just turned mostly frustrating like it has been all season. Our 17th chance comes at home to Colchester next week...
By: Jack Hansford