Following Saturday's home tie with FA Cup giant killers Oldham Athletic, Bescot Banter columnist Calum Williams shares his Match Report;
The Saddlers went into this game with high hopes of a comfortable victory, despite a 2-0 defeat last week at Colchester. They were boosted by two signings during the week, Craig Westcarr penning a deal until the end of the season, and former Walsall legend David Kelly partnering Dean Smith as assistant manager, replacing Richard O’Kelly who recently joined his close friend Sean O’Driscoll at Bristol City.
The Saddlers went into this game with high hopes of a comfortable victory, despite a 2-0 defeat last week at Colchester. They were boosted by two signings during the week, Craig Westcarr penning a deal until the end of the season, and former Walsall legend David Kelly partnering Dean Smith as assistant manager, replacing Richard O’Kelly who recently joined his close friend Sean O’Driscoll at Bristol City.
Oldham were desperately in need of a win, The Latics have been floating dangerously close to the relegation zone of late, without a win in their last 8 league games. However, an impressive FA Cup win against Liverpool at Boundary Park last Sunday, and an experienced on-loan strike force of Lee Barnard and Chris Iwelumo (on loan from Southampton and Watford respectively) set up a tasty fixture, on a chilly Saturday afternoon at the Bescot Stadium.
In truth, it was The Latics who got off to a much better start, Lee Barnard proving a handful for the Saddlers defence early on, firing over the bar. Whilst the Saddlers strikers Will Grigg and Febian Brandy appeared to be full of running and desire, they received insufficient service from the midfield, and Oldham contained The Saddler’s attacking play well.
And it was Oldham who made the breakthrough with 19 minutes on the clock. Some slack defending from The Saddlers allowed a cross from Lee Croft on the right wing, find the head of Lee Barnard, who directed a header past Ian McLoughlin, to give The Latics the lead.
GOAL Walsall 0-1 Oldham Athletic (Barnard 19’)
After a lacklustre start to the game, the goal appeared to wake Walsall up. Jamie Paterson found the head of Will Grigg who was unmarked, but headed straight at Bouzanis in the Oldham goal. Grigg then received the ball down the left flank, but his cross field ball evaded everyone in the danger zone, and came to nothing.
Frustration grew amongst the Walsall fans, as sloppy play allowed Oldham to win back the ball on too many occasions, and for all the play going forward, The Saddlers were unable to fashion any meaningful shots on goal, Jean-Yves M’voto playing particularly well in the Oldham back line to keep Will Grigg at bay.
With Oldham’s play becoming increasingly physical, Walsall kept on pushing for an equaliser. A free kick from the edge of the box saw Jamie Paterson fire wide, although Bouzanis appeared to have the shot covered.
However, on the 40th minute, the Saddlers got the goal they had been pushing for. Neat work down the left from Andy Taylor allowed James Baxendale to find some space in the box, and he held off The Latics defenders to fire through the legs of keeper Bouzanis, and put the Saddlers on terms 5 minutes before the break, despite Febian Brandy’s best efforts to steal the goal on the line.
GOAL Walsall 1 (Baxendale 40') Oldham Athletic 1
And the Saddlers came agonisingly close to taking the lead just minutes after the restart, a Ben Purkiss cross finding the head of Febian Brandy, whose effort rebounded off the inside of the post, and into the grateful hands of Bouzanis between the sticks. After a slow start, the Saddlers were more than happy return to the dressing room level at the break.
HT: Walsall 1 Oldham Athletic 1
Walsall were the side to make the better start in the second 45 minutes. Good work from midfielder Adam Chambers allowed Will Grigg to fire at goal, but his left footed effort lacked conviction, and led to a comfortable save for The Latics keeper.
Further efforts from Jamie Paterson and another two for Grigg failed to trouble the Oldham goal, whilst the Latics continued playing very physically, and threatened on the break. Jose Baxter firing over on the 67th minute after being allowed too much space by the Saddlers defence.
It seemed more and more likely that the next goal would surely be the decisive one, with both teams producing an entertaining spectacle. That goal was to come on the 74th minute. When the ball was fed to Jamie Paterson on the edge of the Oldham penalty box, he provided the touch of class that was required. He worked the ball on to his right foot before unleashing a stunning drive into the bottom left hand corner of the goal, past a helpless Dean Bouzanis, to give the Saddlers the lead.
GOAL: Walsall 2 (Paterson 74') Oldham Athletic 1
Soon after, Paterson was in on goal again, this time Bouzanis spreading himself well to make the save. The Saddlers continued to put their bodies on the line to avoid a late upset, Jose Baxter with numerous attempts on goal, but the Walsall defence stayed strong to quell any Oldham threat late on.
And in the final minutes of the game, the Saddlers proved that attack certainly is the best form of defence! Jamie Paterson again causing problems for The Latics back four, an initial shot saved by Bouzanis, a subsequent lob forcing a goal line clearance, and a final effort from Will Grigg, smothered by the keeper.
And it was Paterson, the winger who was awarded man of the match after an impressive display, who sealed all three points in the final minute of injury time. He was fed the ball by Adam Chambers, and when he found himself in space, one on one with the keeper, he made no mistake, firing into the bottom left hand corner of the goal, to the misery of the travelling Oldham Supporters, who have seen their team pick up just 1 point out of 25 available of late, since their 2-0 defeat at home to Swindon back on the 15th of December.
GOAL Walsall 3 (Paterson 90+4) Oldham Athletic 1
So on the whole, another fantastic day for The Saddlers, who are enjoying a rich vein of form, and have now won 7 out of their last 9 matches. This run means they climb to 9th in the table, 4 points off the play-off places. Early signs that David Kelly had injected life back into the Saddlers is clear to see, and with players like James Baxendale and Andy Taylor recently being tied down for a further 18 months, the progress at the club is very pleasing.
Man of the match was officially given to Jamie Paterson however, despite his brilliant display, my personal star performer was Adam Chambers. His level head in the centre of the park has become invaluable for the Saddlers in recent weeks, and with assists for both of Jamie Paterson’s goals, I thought he played superbly.
FT: Walsall 3 (Baxendale 40’ Paterson 74’, 90+4’) Oldham Athletic 1 (Barnard 19’)
ATT: 4,627
REF: Mick Russell
MOTM: Jamie Paterson