Earlier today Walsall Football Club travelled the short distance to Vale Park to take on near rivals Port Vale in the opening game of the Sky Bet League One season. Bescot Banter columnist Pete Sadler was in attendance, and shares his Match Report below.After weeks of anticipation, questions over signings and selection the season today began in earnest.
A trip just up the M6 to Burslem and Port Vale away, on a beautiful sunny summers day started badly sitting in traffic after an accident on the motorway...arriving just in time to queue for tickets and enter the Vale Ground as the minutes silence was in progress. I have to say that I wasn't the only one running late and reports of the event being poorly observed in some sections may have been purely not knowing what was going on...benefit of the doubt and all.
Walsall started with O'Donnell in goal, a back four of Taylor, J Chambers, Downing and new boy O'Connor at right back. In midfield there was also a debut for Grimes on the right, Benning starting on the left, with Baxendale and captain A Chambers in the centre. Another new signing, Bradshaw lead the line with Sawyers just behind.
Early on the Saddlers seemed to be in the ascendancy, with intricate passing moves that only broke down to my mind by trying to try one pass too many. Vale stuck to their game plan, breaking down the moves of the away side and either getting the ball out wide to the tricky Williams on the left flank or long to Pope who was proving a real handful for Downing.
The breakthrough came on 25 minutes for the home side through a combination of good play from Williams on the left and also very poor defending from the Saddlers, leaving Tom Pope the simplest of tap ins at the far post. The home fans woke up and the ball boy celebrated like it was Christmas. Delightful.
After the goal the Valiants grew in confidence and had further chances to extend their advantage, however the Saddlers rallied with a couple of efforts themselves. Baxendale going on a mazey run as I recall and Grimes finishing well after a neat move only to be flagged offside. Despite a smattering of applause at halftime the travelling Saddlers were not wholly happy.
When both teams returned from the break the Walsall boys came out looking more organised, credit to Smith and Co for that. The equaliser came 14 minutes after the break; Grimes linking up well Sawyers before the ball fell to Tom Bradshaw who coolly slotted away into the far corner. The away fans went mental and I shouted like a loony. For all his hard work, closing down the back line and with runs that weren't made the most off I was happy for the lad to score on debut...hopefully the first of many"
There were chances to win the game, Benning firing over just inside the box from an acute angle on the left and a Taylor pile-driver producing a fine save from home keeper Johnson. Another debutant entered the game after 69 minutes and immediately showed signs of real potential. Billy Clifford is class. If the skills at halftime were not enough to get you off your seat then his vision, work rate and movement are sublime.
Unfortunately it just wasn't meant to be today. A good performance in the second half and signs of...say it quietly 'optimism'. Roll on the next game. Get Mantom back in the team, options available once Cook is fit and plenty of youth to keep it fresh. O'Connor will improve with playing regularly and Grimes looks decisive too, the latter was arguably man of the match for me,
RESULT: Port Vale 1 (Pope 25') Walsall 1 (Bradshaw 59')
AT: Vale Park, Stoke-on-Trent.
ATT: 7,050 (1,145 Walsall)
REF: Mr. Darren Bond - Lancashire.
By: Pete Sadler.