On Tuesday evening, currently managerless Walsall Football Club made the short trip to Greenhous Meadow as they faced near-rivals Shrewsbury Town in the latest Sky Bet League 1 fixture of the season. Cory Lees and Pete Sadler were in attendance, and share their match report below.
First up you'll have to forgive me if we get a few of the facts wrong after tonight's game. Letting you into a little secret...I normally write out the memorable moments and then draft the report around that. Tonight however I'm writing this from the passenger seat of Cory's car on the way home from the game. I know, I know. Calm down ladies.
Tonight was the night for two firsts; obviously the first game without Dean Smith and Richard O'Kelly at the helm for four years, but also the long awaited debut of Pistory on the road and the accompanying match report. I know which I was more eagerly anticipating.
It has been a testing time for the Walsall faithful and it was reassuring that so many travelling Saddlers were in attendance to support the team going forward. Credit to the trio of John Ward, Jon Whitney and Neil Cutler in sticking with the same starting line-up as the one that impressed against Bradford City on Saturday. The only change being on the bench as Sam Mantom returned from injury to replace Reece Flanagan.
The away side took hold of the game and had the majority of possession in the first 20 minutes or so without really causing too many problems for The Shrews, aside from Milan Lalkovic rasping shot across the face of the goal from the left and some neat interplay leading to a Romaine Sawyers shot which struck the left-hand post of home keeper Jayson Leutweiler.
Walsall's main issue in the first 20 minutes however was the injury sustained to the returning Tom Bradshaw after a number of strong 'tackles', the last of which came from former Saddler Anthony Gerrard which caused him to limp off and was later seen on crutches. Jordan Cook came on to take his place and may have to do so the foreseeable future depending on the level of the injury to Tom.
Whilst it still seemed a matter of time before the home side conceded it was Walsall who were breached first. After trying to press up the field the ball was poked forward to Larnell Cole who advanced and struck a firm shot past Neil Etheridge's outstretched left hand. Salopians celebrated and the Saddlers bemoaned a free-kick which was not given in the build-up following a foul on Adam Chambers. The tension rose a notch.
The Saddlers attempted to remain composed and maintain their passing game but could have been further behind following decent play down the left flank and a cross finding James Collins at the far post but the former Villa man was unable to convert. A real let off it has to be said.
With the half running out and an equaliser looking unlikely the ball was struck goalwards by a powerful Lalkovic strike and following a deflection found it's way into the net furthest from the travelling Saddlers fans. Celebrations began and some a little over-exuberantly...I hate to see wasted beer.
The Saddlers began the second period in much the same way as they had the first and looked the side more likely to seize the advantage. Without having many clear-cut opportunities of significance the away side held much of the possession, which is becoming synonymous with our club. Paul Downing headed over from a Kieron Morris corner in the most memorable attempt.
The game changed for me/us on about the 70th minute as Ian Black was shown a second yellow card for a late tackle on Downing right in front of the dugouts. Arguably this could have been a straight red but regardless The Shrews were down to 10 men.
The travelling Saddlers urged the team on to hammer home their numerical advantage, however this was far from instant and Shrewsbury, to their credit/detriment, still pressed for a winner of their own on the counter-attack.
Lalkovic made way for Anthony Forde and it was the young Irishman's corner on the left-land side which was met at the back post by Downing to head Walsall into the lead. An unlikely goalscorer and further proof, if needed, that this Walsall team definitely spread the goals around.
As Shrewsbury pressed for an equaliser as much as the away side sought to score again it seemed more than likely that the scoreline would not stay as 2-1 to the Saddlers...and so it proved. The ball was shifted from right to left and Sawyers found the overlapping Rico Henry who cut the ball back to Cook who finished into the roof of the net. Even now I'm unsure who celebrated more...the Walsall fans or Cook himself, however I hope this is the start of many for him.
There was still time for an impact cameo for James Baxendale who replaced Morris for the final moments. Fortunately the home side managed to keep the Bax at bay.
So that is it. A thoroughly enjoyable evening it has to be said, save as for the injury to Bradshaw which could prove costly to our title push. On the positive side however the team appears to be galvanised and the huddle after full-time was beautiful to see. Congratulations to all the players and staff who maintained winning ways after such a sizeable interruption. Also to Cory who correctly predicted the score pre-match.
Pistory have a 100% win ratio when covering games. Just saying.
Tonight was the night for two firsts; obviously the first game without Dean Smith and Richard O'Kelly at the helm for four years, but also the long awaited debut of Pistory on the road and the accompanying match report. I know which I was more eagerly anticipating.
It has been a testing time for the Walsall faithful and it was reassuring that so many travelling Saddlers were in attendance to support the team going forward. Credit to the trio of John Ward, Jon Whitney and Neil Cutler in sticking with the same starting line-up as the one that impressed against Bradford City on Saturday. The only change being on the bench as Sam Mantom returned from injury to replace Reece Flanagan.
The away side took hold of the game and had the majority of possession in the first 20 minutes or so without really causing too many problems for The Shrews, aside from Milan Lalkovic rasping shot across the face of the goal from the left and some neat interplay leading to a Romaine Sawyers shot which struck the left-hand post of home keeper Jayson Leutweiler.
Walsall's main issue in the first 20 minutes however was the injury sustained to the returning Tom Bradshaw after a number of strong 'tackles', the last of which came from former Saddler Anthony Gerrard which caused him to limp off and was later seen on crutches. Jordan Cook came on to take his place and may have to do so the foreseeable future depending on the level of the injury to Tom.
Whilst it still seemed a matter of time before the home side conceded it was Walsall who were breached first. After trying to press up the field the ball was poked forward to Larnell Cole who advanced and struck a firm shot past Neil Etheridge's outstretched left hand. Salopians celebrated and the Saddlers bemoaned a free-kick which was not given in the build-up following a foul on Adam Chambers. The tension rose a notch.
The Saddlers attempted to remain composed and maintain their passing game but could have been further behind following decent play down the left flank and a cross finding James Collins at the far post but the former Villa man was unable to convert. A real let off it has to be said.
With the half running out and an equaliser looking unlikely the ball was struck goalwards by a powerful Lalkovic strike and following a deflection found it's way into the net furthest from the travelling Saddlers fans. Celebrations began and some a little over-exuberantly...I hate to see wasted beer.
SKY BET LEAGUE 1 - HALF TIME
SHREWSBURY TOWN 1 WALSALL 1
The Saddlers began the second period in much the same way as they had the first and looked the side more likely to seize the advantage. Without having many clear-cut opportunities of significance the away side held much of the possession, which is becoming synonymous with our club. Paul Downing headed over from a Kieron Morris corner in the most memorable attempt.
The game changed for me/us on about the 70th minute as Ian Black was shown a second yellow card for a late tackle on Downing right in front of the dugouts. Arguably this could have been a straight red but regardless The Shrews were down to 10 men.
The travelling Saddlers urged the team on to hammer home their numerical advantage, however this was far from instant and Shrewsbury, to their credit/detriment, still pressed for a winner of their own on the counter-attack.
Lalkovic made way for Anthony Forde and it was the young Irishman's corner on the left-land side which was met at the back post by Downing to head Walsall into the lead. An unlikely goalscorer and further proof, if needed, that this Walsall team definitely spread the goals around.
As Shrewsbury pressed for an equaliser as much as the away side sought to score again it seemed more than likely that the scoreline would not stay as 2-1 to the Saddlers...and so it proved. The ball was shifted from right to left and Sawyers found the overlapping Rico Henry who cut the ball back to Cook who finished into the roof of the net. Even now I'm unsure who celebrated more...the Walsall fans or Cook himself, however I hope this is the start of many for him.
There was still time for an impact cameo for James Baxendale who replaced Morris for the final moments. Fortunately the home side managed to keep the Bax at bay.
So that is it. A thoroughly enjoyable evening it has to be said, save as for the injury to Bradshaw which could prove costly to our title push. On the positive side however the team appears to be galvanised and the huddle after full-time was beautiful to see. Congratulations to all the players and staff who maintained winning ways after such a sizeable interruption. Also to Cory who correctly predicted the score pre-match.
Pistory have a 100% win ratio when covering games. Just saying.
SKY BET LEAGUE 1 - RESULT
SHREWSBURY TOWN 1 WALSALL 3
GOALS | Cole (41') -- Lalkovic (45'), Downing (80'), Cook (90+4')ATTENDANCE | 6,078 | (1,472 Walsall)
REFEREE | Mr. Peter BANKES | Merseyside
BY | CORY LEES & PETE SADLER