Following Saturday's npower League One victory over in-form AFC Bournemouth, Bescot Banter columnist Sam Wright shares his Match Report;
This match was being sold as the clash of the two in form teams in the league, we had five wins out of six, and The Cherries were unbeaten since Eddie Howe’s return a good 15 league games ago, it had all the elements needed for a thriller.
We started the game well, looking to get onto the front foot as soon as possible. The early intentions looked to be getting down both wings and putting the ball on top of ex-England goalkeeper David James and pile the pressure on, and it gave promising signs. He dropped one from a Paterson cross before bombing out his goal and dropping the ball to the feet of Grigg, who couldn’t beat the last defender on the line. This shaky goalkeeping proved vital as we took a 1-0 lead in the game. Manton wacked a ball across, evading everybody and bobbling in past the helpless James. A deserved lead for the Saddlers.
As the half continued the game looked to be a real midfield battle, which we were having the best of. However it proved to be a long ball forward that would assist in the wonderful second goal of the game. Grigg flicked a ball on magnificently for himself to run onto, he rounded the first defender, knocked it past a second, and went past the rushing James who had no choice but to pull him down. Penalty to Walsall and a yellow card for the goalkeeper. Despite his best efforts to intimidate Grigg, the ex-International couldn’t save the penalty of the current Ireland international, and it was 2-0 just before half time. A perfect performance paving the way for what would surely be another win?
H/T: Walsall 2 AFC Bournemouth 0
The second half got underway and it was obvious the Howe had given his players a kick up the backside as they came out flying, Bournemouth managed to win three or four corners in the opening few minutes of the half, before a cross came in which was met by a free header from Brett Pitman. 2-1 on 48 minutes and there were some nerves around the ground now.
At first we replied well to this setback, with Paterson looking to get down the wing and attack, hitting the post soon afterwards, the dominance of the midfield battle did seem to be shifting to Bournemouth. More corners were coming which we had to defending solidly in order to stay in the lead. They were certainly looking menacing and we had to wonder how much longer we would hold the lead.
We seemed to have weathered the storm well as we grew into the second half. The midfielders really did have to work hard to keep their opposition at bay, with only few breakaway chances coming for each team. Bizarrely, it was to be a Paterson free kick on the edge of the box that would pile the pressure on us. The shot came in and was fumbled, Brandy lunged in to try and score, resulting in a foul, second yellow card and he was off. Still 2-1 up but a while left and only 10 men, things looked worrying.
We needed to dig deep to stay in the game, but yet another crazy situation gave us the chance to go 2 goals clear. A blatant foul was committed a good 3 yards outside the box, not given by the referee. However as the ball looped into the box it was caught by the Bournemouth defender who thought a foul had been given. Little choice for the ref rather than to give us a second penalty. Grigg stepped up and slotted home again. 3-1 to The Saddlers.
The expected Bournemouth attacks came for the few remaining minutes, and the 5 added, but we defended solidly and took a great win that takes us up to 10th, just 2 points off the playoffs.
F/T: Walsall 3 (Mantom 27' Grigg PEN 45+2' & PEN 79') AFC Bournemouth 1 (Pitman 49')
MOTM: Will Grigg
ATT: 3,173
REF: Andy Davies
By: Sam Wright
We started the game well, looking to get onto the front foot as soon as possible. The early intentions looked to be getting down both wings and putting the ball on top of ex-England goalkeeper David James and pile the pressure on, and it gave promising signs. He dropped one from a Paterson cross before bombing out his goal and dropping the ball to the feet of Grigg, who couldn’t beat the last defender on the line. This shaky goalkeeping proved vital as we took a 1-0 lead in the game. Manton wacked a ball across, evading everybody and bobbling in past the helpless James. A deserved lead for the Saddlers.
As the half continued the game looked to be a real midfield battle, which we were having the best of. However it proved to be a long ball forward that would assist in the wonderful second goal of the game. Grigg flicked a ball on magnificently for himself to run onto, he rounded the first defender, knocked it past a second, and went past the rushing James who had no choice but to pull him down. Penalty to Walsall and a yellow card for the goalkeeper. Despite his best efforts to intimidate Grigg, the ex-International couldn’t save the penalty of the current Ireland international, and it was 2-0 just before half time. A perfect performance paving the way for what would surely be another win?
H/T: Walsall 2 AFC Bournemouth 0
The second half got underway and it was obvious the Howe had given his players a kick up the backside as they came out flying, Bournemouth managed to win three or four corners in the opening few minutes of the half, before a cross came in which was met by a free header from Brett Pitman. 2-1 on 48 minutes and there were some nerves around the ground now.
At first we replied well to this setback, with Paterson looking to get down the wing and attack, hitting the post soon afterwards, the dominance of the midfield battle did seem to be shifting to Bournemouth. More corners were coming which we had to defending solidly in order to stay in the lead. They were certainly looking menacing and we had to wonder how much longer we would hold the lead.
We seemed to have weathered the storm well as we grew into the second half. The midfielders really did have to work hard to keep their opposition at bay, with only few breakaway chances coming for each team. Bizarrely, it was to be a Paterson free kick on the edge of the box that would pile the pressure on us. The shot came in and was fumbled, Brandy lunged in to try and score, resulting in a foul, second yellow card and he was off. Still 2-1 up but a while left and only 10 men, things looked worrying.
We needed to dig deep to stay in the game, but yet another crazy situation gave us the chance to go 2 goals clear. A blatant foul was committed a good 3 yards outside the box, not given by the referee. However as the ball looped into the box it was caught by the Bournemouth defender who thought a foul had been given. Little choice for the ref rather than to give us a second penalty. Grigg stepped up and slotted home again. 3-1 to The Saddlers.
The expected Bournemouth attacks came for the few remaining minutes, and the 5 added, but we defended solidly and took a great win that takes us up to 10th, just 2 points off the playoffs.
F/T: Walsall 3 (Mantom 27' Grigg PEN 45+2' & PEN 79') AFC Bournemouth 1 (Pitman 49')
MOTM: Will Grigg
ATT: 3,173
REF: Andy Davies
By: Sam Wright