Following this afternoon's Fa Cup
First Round victory over rivals Shrewsbury Town, Bescot Banter columnist Alistair Baker shares
his Match Report;Walsall came into this first round tie off the back of two narrow defeats and looking to start building momentum, ahead of the next home match against Peterborough United in front of the Sky cameras. Shrewsbury on the other hand were hoping to build on last weekend’s 2-0 win at home against Sheffield United.
Walsall seemed keen to take the game to their opponents early on, passing and retaining the ball well in Shrewsbury’s half. Craig Westcarr almost managed to put the home side in front after thirteen minutes, latching on to a poor headed back pass by David Winfield in the Shrews defence, only to be denied by Weale in the Shrewsbury goal.
As the first half went on, Walsall continued to pile on the pressure, with Romaine Sawyers being influential in sparking the attack for the Saddlers. It took Shrewsbury until the 20th minute to make their first real chance at goal; David Winfield involved again this time at the other end to head back in to Jon Taylor from a cross, who scuffed his shot wide.
After that minor scare, Walsall piled on the pressure, only to see Weale in the Shrewsbury goal make two decent blocks, after Lalkovic and Baxendale both beat their markers and fired a shot away respectively.
The breakthrough for the home side came in the twenty-eight minute. Paul Downing picked a lovely thirty-yard diagonal pass to Andy Taylor on the left, who fired his low cross in first time. Weale was there to block the cross, but couldn’t help fumbling the ball right into the path of Westcarr, who was there to tap in for the Saddlers. 1-0, a deserved lead for the Saddlers.
After the goal Shrewsbury attempted to take the initiative back from the home side, Tom Bradshaw heading wide from a decent cross. However the last chance of the half came for Walsall; Westcarr firing straight into Weale who made another good save.
Half Time: Walsall 1 Shrewsbury Town 0
The start of the second half saw Walsall pile on the pressure again, with Sam Mantom firing over from 20 yards after a decent spell of possession. The home side were taking the game to Shrewsbury, who were struggling to pose any threat to Walsall.
In the 58th minute Westcarr was there again to reward the Saddlers for their domination of the game. Lalkovic unleashed his shot from the edge of the 18 yard box, forcing Weale to parry wide into the path Craig Westcarr, who didn’t hesitate to tap the ball home for his second of the afternoon. 2-0 to the Saddlers.
After the second goal, Walsall were really enjoying their football. Sawyers and Westcarr were able to win their headers and bring the midfield into the game by doing so. Westcarr could have
had his hat-trick in the 63rd minute, nut-megging the defender only for his shot to be parried wide again by Weale. Shrewsbury were looking very nervous at the back and in danger of being over run by the home side.
Graham Taylor attempted to change the game, bringing on all of his available substitutions in quick succession. But his Shrewsbury side didn’t look like scoring as Walsall squandered chances to go 3-0 up, Mantom and Baxendale both high and wide.
Walsall were the only side wo looked like like
scoring. Even Paul Downing was picking up the ball in the heart of defence and
running at the Shrews midfield.
Romaine Sawyers made it safe for the Saddlers in the 73rd minute, slotting home a beautiful strike from eighteen yards, as Westcarr unselfishly played a simply pass to tee him up. 3-0, Sawyers deserving his goal having been instrumental in almost every Walsall attack of the afternoon.
Late on saw Shrewsbury manage to settle on the ball as Walsall switched off a little bit at the back, allowing half chances to fall for the desperate Shrewsbury players. O’Donnell in goal for the Saddlers barely had a save to make all game and thwarted any slight chance for the Shrews.
F/T: Walsall 3 (Westcarr 29' & 59', Sawyers 73') Shrewsbury Town 0
ATT: 3,004
MOTM: Romaine Sawyers
REF: Charles Breakspear
Romaine Sawyers made it safe for the Saddlers in the 73rd minute, slotting home a beautiful strike from eighteen yards, as Westcarr unselfishly played a simply pass to tee him up. 3-0, Sawyers deserving his goal having been instrumental in almost every Walsall attack of the afternoon.
Late on saw Shrewsbury manage to settle on the ball as Walsall switched off a little bit at the back, allowing half chances to fall for the desperate Shrewsbury players. O’Donnell in goal for the Saddlers barely had a save to make all game and thwarted any slight chance for the Shrews.
F/T: Walsall 3 (Westcarr 29' & 59', Sawyers 73') Shrewsbury Town 0
ATT: 3,004
MOTM: Romaine Sawyers
REF: Charles Breakspear
A brilliant performance from the Saddlers, who were
able to turn on the style against a poor Shrewsbury side who never really posed
any danger. The back four were resolute and shut the door on any real threat
from the Shrews, allowing the midfield and Westcarr up front to flourish in the
opponents half.
Romaine Sawyers; my man of the match this
afternoon. Involved in almost everything the home side created. You have to
feel for Craig Westcarr though, there wont be many games he scores twice and
doesn’t win man of the match! He was excellent this afternoon, holding the ball
up and troubling the Shrews defence with his movement all afternoon. The
opposition never showed up today and I’d be worried if I was a Shrews fan.
Same again in front of the Sky Cameras on the 18th please
Walsall. Brilliant today!
By: Alistair Baker
Following the game, Walsall manager Dean Smith told
the press he was delighted with a solid performance, you can listen to that by
clicking HERE.