Earlier today, Walsall Football Club played host to Chesterfield in an Emirates FA Cup Second Round Replay. Cory Lees was in attendance, and you can read his match report below.
So the 3 wise men are still unbeaten as we head into the Christmas period, but personally I thought it showed tonight that we need a new manager soon to instill some organisation. Three changes were made from the initial second round tie with Lalkovic, Morris and Henry all missing out with the latter not even making the bench ! mmmmm. Starting with Mantom, Evans and Chambers in the middle was a bit surprising to be honest as we had only 1 winger on the pitch with Fordey, but it was the Saddlers who had the first good effort when Sawyers tested visiting keeper Tommy Lee with a well struck low drive on 3 minutes.
Jordan Cook was the next to go close when he got into the box just to drag his shot wide. On 11 minutes a rare touch from a fan saw him throw a sublime ball back to the ball boy after it was cleared by the Chesterfield defence. In all Chesterfield never really looked like causing Neil Etheridge any problems but the Saddlers were not at their best either and struggling to find clear cut opportunities even while dominating possession.
Chesterfield fashioned a few half chances just before the break and Evatt (who looked like he'd just come back from an all inclusive holiday!) had a downward header easily gathered by Etheridge. Then nine minutes before half time Forde had a 25 yard free kick flick off the wall and go just wide.
Shortly after the second half had started Forde threatened again when his cross evaded everyone and went just a yard wide of the far post. Chesterfield in all fairness did create more in the second half and had a few chances of their own with Etheridge holding on to a Dieseruvwe header and ex Blue's player Lee Novak's lofted cross floating just over the home keeper but dropping the wrong side of the post.
The Saddlers then introduced Lalkovic for Mantom to great applause and his first touch was a curling free kick straight into the arms of Lee. He then skipped past 3 Chesterfield defenders before shooting straight at the home keeper. Then substitute Keiron Morris unleashed a low shot which was comfortably saved by Lee.
Full Time 0-0 and my early night wasn't going to happen !
Jordan Cook was the next to go close when he got into the box just to drag his shot wide. On 11 minutes a rare touch from a fan saw him throw a sublime ball back to the ball boy after it was cleared by the Chesterfield defence. In all Chesterfield never really looked like causing Neil Etheridge any problems but the Saddlers were not at their best either and struggling to find clear cut opportunities even while dominating possession.
Chesterfield fashioned a few half chances just before the break and Evatt (who looked like he'd just come back from an all inclusive holiday!) had a downward header easily gathered by Etheridge. Then nine minutes before half time Forde had a 25 yard free kick flick off the wall and go just wide.
THE EMIRATES FA CUP - HALF TIME
WALSALL 0 CHESTERFIELD 0
Shortly after the second half had started Forde threatened again when his cross evaded everyone and went just a yard wide of the far post. Chesterfield in all fairness did create more in the second half and had a few chances of their own with Etheridge holding on to a Dieseruvwe header and ex Blue's player Lee Novak's lofted cross floating just over the home keeper but dropping the wrong side of the post.
The Saddlers then introduced Lalkovic for Mantom to great applause and his first touch was a curling free kick straight into the arms of Lee. He then skipped past 3 Chesterfield defenders before shooting straight at the home keeper. Then substitute Keiron Morris unleashed a low shot which was comfortably saved by Lee.
Full Time 0-0 and my early night wasn't going to happen !
THE EMIRATES FA CUP - FULL TIME
WALSALL 0 CHESTERFIELD 0
Half an hour of extra time to be played and in the first 15 minutes Lalkovic probably had the best chance when he broke into the box but dragged his shot wide. Also some ex-Wolves player headed over from 6 yards but you're you most likely don't want to hear about that!
The second half of extra time should have seen Walsall finish the game off when Chambers had a long range strike deflect just wide, and Morris crashed a left foot drive off the cross bar. And the Saddlers should have won it at the death when pint sized James Baxendale side footed a Lalkovic cross just wide from close range.
I've never reported about penalties before so I'm just gonna say that we scored 5 great penalties and Paul Downing on the 2nd season running scored the winning one to set up a tie at Griffin Park against former manager Dean Smith and his Brentford side which I'm sure most fans will be going to see the ginger Mourinho's face if we win.
Get a good nights sleep all you Saddlers its Port Vale on Sunday!!!!
THE EMIRATES FA CUP - RESULT
WALSALL 0 CHESTERFIELD 0
WALSALL PENS | Sawyers, Demetriou, Evans, Lalkovic, DowningCHESTERFIELD PENS | O'Shea, Morsy (Missed), Novak, O'Neil
ATTENDANCE | 2,953 | (334 Chesterfield)
REFEREE | Mr. Charles Breakspear | Surrey
BY | CORY LEES | FOLLOW @corylees