Following Saturday afternoon's SkyBet League One defeat to Coventry City, new Bescot Banter columnist Alistair Baker shared his Match Report;Walsall came into this Sky Bet League One clash with the 3-1 victory away at Swindon still fresh in the minds of team and the supporters. Expectations were to extend the run which has seen them lose only once in eight games. Coventry on the other hand were also enjoying decent form, which saw them beat the league leaders Leyton Orient 3-1 at home last time out. With confidence high in both camps this match showed promise to be an entertaining clash.
The opening twenty minutes was a bit of a no show from Walsall, under pressure from the word go from Coventry who were keen to press high up the pitch. Efforts from Callum Wilson and Franck Moussa almost saw Coventry capitalise on their early spell of pressure.
The Saddlers seemed to have ridden the storm after the opening spell of possession from Coventry, and started to settle on the ball, Nicky Featherstone the man leading the midfield to kick start it’s slick passing game. The first real chance for the home team came about the half hour mark as Ashley Hemmings squared a Featherstone looped ball onto the edge of the eighteen yard box for Sam Mantom, who scuffed his shot wide of the far post. No real danger for Joe Murphy in the Coventry goal.
Wilson and Clarke up front for Coventry continued to cause the home defence problems, Wilson getting his shot away again in the thirty sixth minute, only to be gathered by Richard O’Donnell in the Saddlers goal.
Late on in the first half saw a flurry of activity around the Coventry penalty area, as Walsall started to enjoy their own spell of pressure. Ashley Hemmings was able to influence the game for the Saddlers, hitting some nice diagonal switches and running at the Coventry fullbacks. A Craig Westcarr free kick forced a save from Joe Murphy.
And it was almost 1-0 to the Saddlers as Andy Taylor connected with a low driven cross from James Baxendale, which took a deflection on its way towards Joe Murphy’s goal, just inches wide of the post.
Both sides enjoying spells of possession as the Walsall defence did well at times to keep a lively Coventry attack at bay.
H/T: Walsall 0 Coventry City 0
The opening of the second half saw Coventry take the initiative early on as Franck Moussa drove through the Walsall midfield to link up with Callum Wilson again, another danger sign for the home team.
Coventry struck on the fifty third minute as Leon Clarke headed from a corner, forcing a reaction save from Richard O’Donnell, parrying to his right. However one of Coventry’s danger men Franck Moussa was there to poke home the loose ball in the penalty area to put the Sky Blues deservedly 1-0 up.
After the goal Walsall attempted to take the initiative again, but the extra man in midfield, although helping retain the ball in the midfield, was limiting options in the final third.
Signs of a Walsall recovery were trying to shine through as Mantom slipped a neat ball in behind the Coventry back four for Baxendale to chase. Jordan Clarke harried Baxendale and forced a tame shot away at goal, Clarke really playing well at the back for the Sky Blues.
Julian Gray came on for Baxendale who wasn’t enjoying his best game in a Saddlers’ shirt in the sixty second minute. Walsall again tried to pressure Coventry, pushing them deep and as Craig Westcarr was played in on the edge of the eighteen yard box the keeper gathered at his feet comfortably.
Meanwhile Franck Moussa again was influencing this for the Sky Blues, picking the ball up and driving through the middle of the Walsall midfield, who just could’t handle his aggressive runs. James Chambers receiving a yellow card for his troubles.
The seventy third minute saw the introduction of Troy Hewitt for the home side, at the expense of Craig Westcarr who also had a quiet game. Ashley Hemmings seemed to be the only effective attacking option for the Saddlers. as the home side attempted to catch Coventry on the break. Eventually over playing saw Hemmings waste his chance, not long after he was replaced by Romaine Sawyers.
Late on saw Walsall continue to try and break through a resolute Coventry defence, who were dropping further and further into their own third of the pitch. Walsall who were committing more players forward, were becoming more vulnerable on the break, Callum Wilson and Leon Clarke both running freely in behind on occasions, only to be stopped by good defending from Andy Taylor and James Chambers. The Saddlers keeper O’Donnell almost had an embarrassing moment when he was caught off guard by the pace of Wilson, who beat him to the ball twenty five yards out. James Chambers managed to get back and spare the keeper’s blushes.
Walsall continued to try and penetrate the back four of Coventry, even sending Richard O’Donnell up for a last gasp free kick, but to no avail.
F/T: Walsall 0 Coventry City 1 (Moussa 54')
ATT: 6,519
REF: Gavin Ward
A deserved victory for the Sky Blues sees them continue to reduce the deficit on the front runners of League One, after a ten point deduction at the start of the season.
A disappointing result for the home side as they were simply out played by a better side on the day. Particularly disappointing for me was the introduction of Sawyers late on, who had no time to influence the game. The Saddlers defence did have a decent game but were unable to stop arguably one of the best strike forces in the league causing problems. Franck Moussa and Callum Wilson my pick of the opponents, both influenced the game for the Sky Blues in the second half. My Man of The Match for the Saddlers was Nicky Featherstone, who even in a dull team performance, managed to shine with his passing and retention of the ball. Another promising display from Ashley Hemmings who looked bright in spells but came up against a strong set of full backs.
Not the end of the world for the Saddlers but certainly a disappointing result off the back of two consecutive wins. Back to the drawing board for Dean Smith’s men. Outclassed today.
By: Alistair Baker