Following Saturday afternoon's draw with npower League One rivals Notts County, Bescot Banter columnist Calum Williams shares his Match Report;
The Saddlers made two changes to the side that grabbed an impressive 2-1 win against promotion pushing Doncaster Rovers last Saturday, James Chambers replacing Ben Purkiss who was out with a hamstring strain. Craig Westcarr also started after an impressive display at the Keepmoat, replacing James Baxendale.
County made 3 changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Crewe last week, with Bialkowski returning in goal, and Jacob Blyth making his debut up front after being loaned in from Leicester City just 3 days ago.
It was Walsall who made the better start to the game, Will Grigg receiving the ball inside the penalty area, beating his man, only to have his shot cleared off the line by Alan Judge, after having rounded the keeper.
After that the game turned somewhat scrappy, The Magpies resorting to hoof ball on a barely playable pitch, which limited the Saddlers going forward, who found it hard to play the flowing football fans have become accustomed to at the Bescot in recent months.
However it was the Saddlers who had the perfect chance to go ahead, when on the 27th minute, a promising run from youngster Jamie Paterson forced County’s Polish keeper Bialkowski to intervene, and the referee pointed to the spot with little hesitation.
A flare thrown onto the pitch by a County supporter delayed the spot kick, but Will Grigg wasn’t deterred, and slotted home his 11th of the season in all competitions, to fire the Saddlers into the lead.
A flare thrown onto the pitch by a County supporter delayed the spot kick, but Will Grigg wasn’t deterred, and slotted home his 11th of the season in all competitions, to fire the Saddlers into the lead.
GOAL Walsall 1 (Grigg PEN 29’) Notts County 0
Walsall continued to threaten, Febian Brandy testing the keeper, and later pressuring the County defence. Another chance five minutes before the break saw Will Grigg acquire the ball in a dangerous position, but his shot was miscued, and bounced off the scoreboard, which still read 1-0 to Walsall.
A final wayward shot from striker John Cofie, on loan to County from Manchester United, signaled the end of a good half for the Saddlers, who limited the Magpies to few chances, and made plenty of their own.
H/T: Walsall 1 Notts County 0
The second half began with a County change, former Saddlers trialist Yoann Arquin coming on for Jacob Blyth, and also a change to their attitude. The Magpies became much more direct in their approach, and tested McLoughlin early on, but he was equal to the shot.
The game turned into an exciting, end to end fixture, corners for both sides were defended well, and the next goal looked increasingly likely to tip the balance. This goal might have come on the 55th minute, after James Chambers played a misjudged ball to Ian McLoughlin, Yoann Arquin stole the ball before being denied by the keeper, and Alan Judge couldn’t capitalise, skewing his shot wide.
Alarm bells should have been ringing for Walsall, who did produce corners shortly afterwards, but it was County who were getting the better of the chances, Alan Judge again being given too much space, but his volley soared over the crossbar.
Jamie Paterson was in good form on the wing, but didn’t get the service he needed to pose a real threat going forward. When he fed Craig Westcarr, he appeared to be in the clear for the Saddlers, but he was tackled at the death, to deny him his first goal in Walsall colours.
Eventually, it was The Magpies who made the all important breakthrough. The Saddlers defended a County cross poorly, and when the ball bobbled around in the box, the defence couldn’t clear, and substitute Yoann Arquin was able to poke the ball into the net, past a helpless Ian McLoughlin.
GOAL: Walsall 1 Notts County 1 (Arquin 66’)
This goal set up an enthralling final 25 minutes, Judge the next man to fire goal wards, but McLoughlin made a smart save at his near post. Shortly after, Febian Brandy looked to have found a way through, but when he lost the ball, he was booked for his attempts to win it back, after the County defence quelled the threat successfully.
The Saddlers continued to push for another goal, Andy Taylor’s boot upfield fell kindly for Febian Brandy, who did well to wriggle his way through his defenders, but when he appeared to be bundled over by the County defenders, the referee waved play on, much to the displeasure of the Walsall fans behind the goal.
Zoko came on for County in search of a winner for Notts, but both teams were heavily reliant on their back four to keep the ball away from danger. Jamal Campbell-Ryce showed he still had energy and desire, causing problems, but shooting straight at the Saddlers keeper.
Further shots came from either side, Jamie Paterson firing a weak effort wide for Walsall, the man subsequently announced as Saddlers man of the match, and then Yoann Arquin looking for his brace at the other end, headed just over the crossbar.
It was Arquin who would be the man to have the final roll of the dice in the final minutes of the game, he got on the end of another county cross, heading inches wide. But despite all the action of the second half, there wasn’t to be a final twist in the tail, as the referee blew his whistle for the final time
So on a day of thrills and spills on a quite frankly, awful pitch, the Saddlers were unable to play the flowing football they have become so good at recently, and in the end had to work hard to earn the point against The Magpies, who upped their game significantly in the second half.
It shows a lot about how far this club has come, when fans are disappointed with a draw against a side in the top half of the table, but there were nevertheless plenty of positives to take from the game, and into another important away fixture against Brentford next weekend, where the Saddlers have the chance to pass their goal of 50 points for the season. Notts County remain in 11th place, whilst the Saddlers also maintain their position of in 9th in the league.
F/T: Walsall 1 (Grigg PEN 29’) Notts County 1 (Arquin 66’)
ATT: 4,416
REF: Trevor Kettle
MOTM: Jamie Paterson
By: Calum Williams