Following Walsall's fantastic comeback against npower League One rivals Crawley Town, Bescot Banter columnist Jack Hansford shares his Match Report;
Could Walsall make it nine games without defeat and stretch our impressive unbeaten run as big spenders Crawley Town visited the Banks's Stadium.
On what was a fairly overcast and rainy afternoon, Walsall began unchanged for the fifth consecutive game as the first half kicked off in front of an optimistic 5,003 supporters, our second biggest crowd of the season. In truth, the first half passed completely without any notable incident, as neither goalkeeper was truly tested by either side.
The pitch became a somewhat hindering factor throughout the game, as both teams struggled to play to the conditions. Both back lines continued to stand strong as the midfield players battled hard for possession.
H/T: Walsall 0 Crawley Town 0
The second half began with renewed hope from the Walsall faithful as both teams set about added a little more urgency to their game, sensing it was there for the taking. With the match finely poised at 0-0, Crawley were the first to get on the score sheet. After breaking away on the left hand side, an area they had been strong in all afternoon, the ball found its way to Jamie Proctor on the edge of the area who cut inside and unleashed a fine shot past McCarey.
Walsall needed a response and quickly. As the Saddlers took more and more possession of the ball as the game went on, Febian Brandy had a low shot well saved after good hold up play from Will Grigg on the left hand side.
On 71 minutes, and straight after the Brandy chance, the Red Devils broke quickly up the other end. After Nicky Adams's header on target was saved brilliantly by McCarey after a brilliant ball, Brentford loanee Paul Hayes picked up the loose ball and slotted the ball into the back of the net. The home fans sensed an unlikely defeat was coming, as the stadium soon became very flat.
Walsall, despite their continuing amount of possession failed to fully test Paul Jones in the Crawley net as it turned into a frustrating afternoon. The 90th minute had approached when Jamie Paterson picked up the ball on the edge of the penalty area and fired a shot inside the near post to give the Saddlers' an unlikely lifeline.
As the board went up indicating four minutes of stoppage time, the Walsall fans pushed the players on to get a leveller. Andy Taylor's low cross found its way right through to in form frontman Will Grigg who tapped in from close range after Connor Essam failed to clear. The Northern Ireland international grabbed his 19th goal of the season in the process as the Saddlers picked up a crucial point.
There was a huge sense of relief around the Banks's, as the home fans celebrated what could potentially be a huge point come the end of the season.
F/T: Walsall 2 (Paterson 90' Grigg 90+3') Crawley Town 2 (Proctor 52' Hayes 71')
ATT: 5,003
REF: Jeremy Simpson
It was a pretty poor game really which sounds strange considering it finished 2-2. Apart from the goals, clear cut chances were very few and far between for both sides and I'm glad this one is out the way to be honest.
What a fantastic point this could prove to be. At 2-0 down I thought we were dead and buried and I was just going to put it down to being a bad day at the office. The result completely highlights the character within the squad and ultimately keeps our dream alive. Well done lads, roll on Hartlepool United next weekend.
Who knows where we will end up?
By: Jack Hansford
ATT: 5,003
REF: Jeremy Simpson
It was a pretty poor game really which sounds strange considering it finished 2-2. Apart from the goals, clear cut chances were very few and far between for both sides and I'm glad this one is out the way to be honest.
What a fantastic point this could prove to be. At 2-0 down I thought we were dead and buried and I was just going to put it down to being a bad day at the office. The result completely highlights the character within the squad and ultimately keeps our dream alive. Well done lads, roll on Hartlepool United next weekend.
Who knows where we will end up?
By: Jack Hansford