Walsall were back in Sky Bet League Two action on Saturday afternoon as they welcomed Swindon Town to the Poundland Bescot Stadium.Walsall began the game brightly, winning a corner just one minute into the contest, as Miguel Freckleton turned the ball out of play, though nothing would come of the set-piece. An early stoppage followed moments later, as Jamie Jellis went down under a challenge by Nnamdi Ofoborh, but he was soon back on his feet and the teams began to settle into the game.
The Saddlers continued to seek an early goal, with Brandon Comley combining well with Jellis, in the seventh minute, to work the ball to Connor Barrett, but the defender was unable to find Ellis Harrison with his cross towards the back post, as Swindon cleared.
The hosts went on to win a corner, eleven minutes in, as Harry Smith put the ball behind, but nothing would come of the flag-kick, as Jellis' ball in was turned wide by David Okagbue.
Swindon created their first real chance of note, in the nineteenth minute, as Will Wright played a promising ball over the top for Harry Smith, but the forwards effort from a tight angle sailed over the crossbar.
Ollie Clarke became the first player to see yellow, in the twenty-second minute, as he was cautioned following a foul on Matt.
The resulting free-kick saw Taylor Allen play the ball in towards the back post for Oisin McEntee, who slipped his marker, but his header in was gathered by Town 'keeper, Connor Ripley.
Walsall continued to enjoy a good spell, winning a corner in the twenty-seventh minute, as Freckleton turned the ball out of play; Allen's ball in found the head of Jellis, but his flick goal-wards was well saved by the Swindon shot-stopper.
Ellis Harrison became the second player to see his name added to the referee's notebook, as he was cautioned following a foul on Ripley, in the twenty-eighth minute.
Swindon won a corner in the thirty-third minute, as Jellis turned the ball out of play, but Wright's ball in was met by Tom Nichols, who sliced his effort wide.
Town continued to press, going close again in the thirty-seventh minute, as Wright crossed the ball in for Smith, but the striker's headed effort from the centre of the box was saved by Walsall shot-stopper, Tommy Simkin.
At the other end, moments later, Jellis played the ball to Ryan Stirk, who fired goal-wards from outside the area, but sent his low effort wide of the target.
One minute was added to end the first-half, during which time, Swindon had the chance to open the scoring, as Gavin Kilkenny played the ball into the path of Cotterill, whose run into the box was cut short by Okagbue who made a vital interception to end the move. That would prove to be the final action of note before the sides headed off to enjoy their half-time refreshments with the scores still tied.
The teams returned unchanged after the break, and play resumed. Swindon began the second-half brightly, with Ofoborh seeing an effort from outside the area sail over the crossbar, just two minutes after the restart.
Walsall were almost gifted a goal five minutes into the second-half, as a ball in towards the back post from Barrett was directed goal-wards by a Swindon player, but Ripley was alert to the danger and gathered the loose ball to spare his teammates blushes.
The Saddlers continued to enjoy a bright spell, as a long throw from Jellis was flicked on by McEntee for Matt, in the fifty-seventh minute, but after bringing the ball down, the striker attempted an overhead kick which sent the ball sailing wide of the target.
Swindon found the breakthrough, in the fifty-ninth minute, as Kabongo Tshimanga met a long ball into the box, with his effort on goal being blocked by McEntee, but Cotterill latched onto the loose ball and fired home.
The visiting side could have doubled their advantage, just three minutes later, as Tshimanga met a low cross and fired goal-wards, but Simkin got down well to make the save.
Walsall opted to make their first change of the afternoon in the sixty-second minute, with Brandon Comley making way for Charlie Lakin.
Tom Nichols became the third player to see his name entered into the referee's notebook, in the sixty-fourth minute, as he was cautioned following a foul on the recently introduced Walsall man.
Nnamdi Ofoborh joined his teammate on a caution, just two minutes later, as he was shown the yellow card following a foul on Barrett.
Tshimanga continued to test the Walsall defences, firing another effort in on goal in the sixty-seventh minute, but his effort from outside the area was turned wide by Simkin, with the resulting corner coming to nothing as Cotterill fired over.
With seventy-three minutes played, Walsall chose to make two further changes to their line-up, with Jamille Matt and Ellis Harrison departing in favour of Albert Adomah and Levi Amantchi.
Adomah was quick to get involved, picking up the ball just outside the box, in the seventy-sixth minute and firing a low effort goal-wards, but Ripley was well positioned to make the save.
The Saddlers opted to make a fourth substitution ten minutes from time, with Connor Barrett making way for Danny Johnson, as the side looked to get back onto level terms.
Swindon also took the opportunity to make some changes to their line-up, as Ollie Clarke and Joel Cotterill were replaced by Tunmise Sobowale and Paul Glatzel for the run in.
Walsall could have levelled the scores, in the eighty-seventh minute, as Allen worked the ball to Adomah, but Ripley was alert to the danger and made a fine save to deny the Walsall man, with the resulting corner coming to nothing.
Four additional minutes were added to end the match, during which time, Swindon opted to make another change to their line-up, with Kabongo Tshimanga making way for Jake Cain.
There was little further action of note, and the game was brought to its conclusion, with Swindon winning by one-goal-to-nil. A disappointing afternoon for the Saddlers, who failed to take their chances when presented.
| COTTERILL (59') | |
| AT | BESCOT STADIUM |
| REFEREE | PAUL HOWARD |
