Following Saturday afternoon's Sky Bet League One match between Walsall and hosts Stevenage, Bescot Banter columnist James Rhodes shares his Match Report.The Saddlers named an unchanged side following our 1-1 draw with Gillingham on Easter Monday; this meant that what Dean Smith considered an out of form Andy Taylor would have to be content with a place on the bench.
The game got off to a start and within the first 30 minutes both sides had many attacks of which led to nothing. Though Stevenage were the liveliest of the sides. Our first real chance came when Craig Westcarr had a shot that led to a corner that was cleared. Later this was followed by an Adam Chambers effort that was collected by the Stevenage keeper. It was shaping up to be another end to end game. Searching for our first goal we came ever closer to getting it when a neat move between Sawyers and Mantom resulted in Mantom dragging his shot just wide. A few minutes later some more neat work from the Saddlers this time by Lalkovic led to him feeding the ball to Westcarr who curled his shot just wide.
Having found our stride in the half following an abundance of chances Stevenage punished us and took the lead. Some passing around the area following a throw in resulted in the ball being intercepted and Jimmy Smith hitting home.
35 minutes: Stevenage 1-0 Walsall (Jimmy Smith)
Following Stevenage taking the lead the Saddlers got play underway again and tried to straight away bring the game on level terms through a Lalkovic effort, which was curled just wide. The only other significant event within the Half was Mal Benning receiving a booking. The booking resulted in a free kick and this was cleared by Butler. Stevenage would earn a corner shortly after and it was headed just over.
Half Time: Stevenage 1-0 Walsall
Before the half got under way Stevenage made a change; Obeng coming off for Gordon. When the half did get under way The Saddlers were quickly out of the blocks. Following a Stevenage goal towards the back end of the first half, early in the second half The Saddlers would straight away bring the game back to level terms. A nice ball by Lalkovic would find Mal Benning who would hit the ball at an angle into the net. It did receive a little hand from the keeper on the way in but it was all level.
46 Minutes: Stevenage 1-1 Walsall (Benning)
Following a Saddlers goal Stevenage kicked things off and were lucking to regain the lead but an energised Saddlers would earn the ball and 4 minutes later score again. A Sawyers shot parried by the keeper straight at the feet of an unmarked Westcarr, who would score his 16th goal of the season.
50 Minutes: Stevenage 1-2 Walsall (Westcarr)
Having scored twice in the first opening 5 minutes of the half it would seem The Saddlers were on fire, but the fire was later extinguished when Stevenage’s Smith outmuscled Mal Benning to find N’Guessan who would again bring the game all square.
53 Minutes: Stevenage 2-2 Walsall (N’Guessan)
After the goal Stevenage made a change; Okenabirhie off for Deacon. Following the change the game went rather flat and a series of free kicks were earnt by The Saddlers and all led to nothing. Stevenage would then break but the attack was soon halted when Dembele miss kicked the ball.
It was time for another change following a quieter period in the game. James Baxendale coming on for Milan Lalkovic, who once again showed his qualities. Following the change The Saddlers went in search of a goal to once again take the lead and forced a corner; which was headed over by Andy Butler.
Having looked like a game that could go either way Stevenage capitalised on a Mal Benning error, Benning chested the ball and it would go straight into the path of Freeman who put Stevenage ahead once more.
81 minutes: Stevenage 3-2 Walsall (Freeman)
After the goal both teams made changes. Stevenage using their final substitute taking N’guessan off for Doughty, and then Dean Smith using his final substitutes for the Saddlers bringing on Micheal Ngoo and Amadou Bakayoko for Febian Brandy and Adam Chambers.
After the changes Craig Westcarr was down and receiving treatment but was quickly back up on his feet as play resumed. In the final minutes of the game The Saddlers looked for another equaliser to level up the game and into added time a Sam Mantom shot was deflected wide for a corner. The corner was cleared and Stevenage would break, but their break was halted when the referee ended the game.
F/T: Stevenage 3 (Smith 35', N'Guessan 53' Freeman 82') Walsall 2 (Benning 46', Westcarr 50')
Attendance: 2,973
Referee: Graham Horwood, Bedfordshire.
Having already been relegated Stevenage were playing for pride and restored some with this victory. Despite the fact we had a quick start to the 2nd half scoring two quick goals to take the lead we simply were not good enough.
It now leaves one final game of the season on home soil. All I will say is please get behind the boys and push them to the finish line of which has been a rather action packed, tiring season.
We remain 11th in the table at this time and the highest we can finish this season subject to results is 9th.