Following Monday's fantastic victory over troubled midlands rivals Coventry City, Bescot Banter columnist Sam Wright shares his Match Report;
This fixture was being billed as the biggest game of the season so far as we were matched against midlands rivals Coventry City in what was a must win game if we are to make those illustrious playoff spots.
The game started in front of the seven and a half thousand fans inside the Banks’s Stadium with a rousing atmosphere, but Coventry were the side that settled quickest, and began to string passes together early on, but neither side managed to create any clear cut chances in the opening 10-15 minutes. After this we did begin to find out feet and both teams had to put in strong challenges in order to stay in contention which saw the game develop into a real midfield battle as the half wore on.
The real defining moment of the first half came after a solid spell of Walsall possession and pressure, culminating in a ball into the box, which Jamie Patterson controlled expertly just six yards out, lined up a shot and slotted the ball home into the far bottom corner. A great moment for the Coventry born winger and one of the biggest goals in our season to the present.
If Dean Smith had hoped we could calm the game down after this, he was to be disappointed. The goal really sparked the game into life and the last 10 minutes of the first half saw chances for both sides. The Sky Blues really should have been level just minutes after we took the lead, after Johnstone spilt the ball but the rebound was hit wide Callum Ball when the goal was gaping. We saw it out though, and made it through to half time without conceding, and in a great position at 1-0 up.
H/T: Walsall 1 Coventry City 0
The second half started with some sustained Coventry pressure, first forcing Sam Johnstone into a terrific save from Carl Baker to maintain the Walsall lead. However this was all turned on its head after just 8 minutes of the second period. A Coventry throw in somehow managed to be hit back across their own box, James Baxendale nipped in and was clearly fouled by Aaron Martin deep inside the box, giving Craig Westcarr the chance to make it 2-0 from the spot. He duly obliged with a well struck penalty into the bottom left corner.
This once again saw the game fall into a real strong tackling midfield battle, with tough tackles being put in both by and on Jamie Patterson. Ultimately, this lead to the second booking of Coventry midfielder Jordan Steward after his overly strong challenge on Brandy, and the saddlers were 2-0, and 1 man to the good going in to the last 20 minutes.
Credit to us, we took advantage of this brilliantly, moving the ball about and drawing fouls from the away side who’s frustrations were growing. So it was no surprise when Brandy was hacked down twice on the edge of the area to give Patterson a chance to shoot. His effort was only parried by former saddler Joe Murphy, and dropped almost too perfectly into the path of the waiting Craig Westcarr who made no mistake from close range and put the game beyond doubt on 73 minutes, it was quickly becoming revenge for our drubbing in the away fixture earlier in the season. And the thirst for vengeance was quelled even further with just five minutes to go as Jamie Patterson slotted home for his second and Walsall’s forth. A thoroughly great performance and three priceless points at this late stage of the season.
Looking back on the match, there are chances where Coventry may have snatched a goal and it could have changed the whole complexion of the game, but overall the work rate the players put in was phenomenal and deserving of a convincing win. My man of the match has to go to Craig Westcarr, although he did have spells in the first half where he was slightly absent, two goals and an assist are surely enough to justify it. Paul Downing and Febian Brandy also stood out for me in what is one of the best games we have seen down at the Bescot for quite some time.
F/T: Walsall 4 (Paterson 33' & 87' Westcarr PEN 54' & 74') Coventry City 0
ATT: 7,504
REF: Trevor Kettle
By: Sam Wright
This fixture was being billed as the biggest game of the season so far as we were matched against midlands rivals Coventry City in what was a must win game if we are to make those illustrious playoff spots.The game started in front of the seven and a half thousand fans inside the Banks’s Stadium with a rousing atmosphere, but Coventry were the side that settled quickest, and began to string passes together early on, but neither side managed to create any clear cut chances in the opening 10-15 minutes. After this we did begin to find out feet and both teams had to put in strong challenges in order to stay in contention which saw the game develop into a real midfield battle as the half wore on.
The real defining moment of the first half came after a solid spell of Walsall possession and pressure, culminating in a ball into the box, which Jamie Patterson controlled expertly just six yards out, lined up a shot and slotted the ball home into the far bottom corner. A great moment for the Coventry born winger and one of the biggest goals in our season to the present.
If Dean Smith had hoped we could calm the game down after this, he was to be disappointed. The goal really sparked the game into life and the last 10 minutes of the first half saw chances for both sides. The Sky Blues really should have been level just minutes after we took the lead, after Johnstone spilt the ball but the rebound was hit wide Callum Ball when the goal was gaping. We saw it out though, and made it through to half time without conceding, and in a great position at 1-0 up.
H/T: Walsall 1 Coventry City 0
The second half started with some sustained Coventry pressure, first forcing Sam Johnstone into a terrific save from Carl Baker to maintain the Walsall lead. However this was all turned on its head after just 8 minutes of the second period. A Coventry throw in somehow managed to be hit back across their own box, James Baxendale nipped in and was clearly fouled by Aaron Martin deep inside the box, giving Craig Westcarr the chance to make it 2-0 from the spot. He duly obliged with a well struck penalty into the bottom left corner.
This once again saw the game fall into a real strong tackling midfield battle, with tough tackles being put in both by and on Jamie Patterson. Ultimately, this lead to the second booking of Coventry midfielder Jordan Steward after his overly strong challenge on Brandy, and the saddlers were 2-0, and 1 man to the good going in to the last 20 minutes.
Credit to us, we took advantage of this brilliantly, moving the ball about and drawing fouls from the away side who’s frustrations were growing. So it was no surprise when Brandy was hacked down twice on the edge of the area to give Patterson a chance to shoot. His effort was only parried by former saddler Joe Murphy, and dropped almost too perfectly into the path of the waiting Craig Westcarr who made no mistake from close range and put the game beyond doubt on 73 minutes, it was quickly becoming revenge for our drubbing in the away fixture earlier in the season. And the thirst for vengeance was quelled even further with just five minutes to go as Jamie Patterson slotted home for his second and Walsall’s forth. A thoroughly great performance and three priceless points at this late stage of the season.
Looking back on the match, there are chances where Coventry may have snatched a goal and it could have changed the whole complexion of the game, but overall the work rate the players put in was phenomenal and deserving of a convincing win. My man of the match has to go to Craig Westcarr, although he did have spells in the first half where he was slightly absent, two goals and an assist are surely enough to justify it. Paul Downing and Febian Brandy also stood out for me in what is one of the best games we have seen down at the Bescot for quite some time.
F/T: Walsall 4 (Paterson 33' & 87' Westcarr PEN 54' & 74') Coventry City 0
ATT: 7,504
REF: Trevor Kettle
By: Sam Wright