Following Saturday's whirlwind draw with Brentford Saddlers supporter Berian Lowe shares his Match Report;
Having witnessed the lads play some pretty decent and at times clever football against premier league outfit, Queens Park Rangers, on Tuesday night, I was looking forward to seeing us apply some of that football against Brentford.
Having witnessed the lads play some pretty decent and at times clever football against premier league outfit, Queens Park Rangers, on Tuesday night, I was looking forward to seeing us apply some of that football against Brentford.
Upon hearing the team news, I was delighted to see us go with a 4-4-2 formation, as George Bowerman came in for Adam Chambers who limped off just after half an hour in the Capital One Cup tie against QPR on Tuesday night.
From the off we looked as though this was going to be the case, some neat football saw Flo Cuvelier connect with the ball on the edge of the box, forcing the Brentford 'keeper to push the ball on to the crossbar.
Walsall played some pretty decent stuff on the deck, but Brentford found themselves with a little bit of space out wide and whipped in a couple of dangerous balls into the box. The first saw Brentford head just over and next was a miscued volley which didn't hassle the Grof!
Butler did what he did best by putting his body on the line as he cleared one off the line as Brentford were allowed time to shoot after making the most of linesman who couldn't keep up with play and spot what looked like a clear offside.
Walsall soaked up the pressure and found themselves attacking Brentford's flanks in return. With around half an hour played, Andy Taylor, who signed a one year deal after an impressive show against QPR on Tuesday, got himself into an attacking position and combined with Ashley Hemmings who whipped the ball into the box at the second bite of the cherry. Paterson made no mistakes and tucked the ball away well.
Having barely celebrating the first goal, the Walsall fans were on there feet again as Bowerman seemed to control the ball with his backside before skipping past his defender and finish cooly past the Brentford 'keeper.
Walsall were on top now and were playing really neat football. We could of made it 3-0 before half time with an effort by Andy Taylor flew just over, and Grigg's shot looked to have beaten the 'keeper who in turn saved well with his legs as the ball looked to have come off the post.
With it being 2-0 at half time, I tried to remember the last we went in at the break with a comfortable lead. The only one I could think of was against Bournemouth in January. A tie which finished in a 2-2 draw after Steve Fletcher equalised for the Cherries in the last minute. Surely this wasn't going to happen again!
Walsall's only opportunity in the second half came with Grigg squandering a header as he looked to have had his shirt pulled by the Brentford man.
After this, Walsall were on the back foot and had to soak up a lot of pressure. We came out and just tried to sit back and defended real deep in our own side. Aaron Williams came on for Bowerman, and wasn't really utilised as we struggled to keep possession of the ball up top.
As the pressure piled on us, Brentford seemed to be getting closer, as an effort rattled off the crossbar.
Walsall held on for as long as they could but Grof's fumbled punch found it's way to Jonathan Douglas, who had played a blinder against us, finished well.
The Saddlers decided to push everyone back, as Paterson made way for Paul Downing, but we couldn't hold on as Brentford equalised with Donaldson firing past Grof from close range in the final minute.
All our hard work in the first half had been forgotten as the full time whistle was met by boos and jeers by the frustrated Saddlers fans.
RESULT: Walsall 2 (Bowerman 28', Paterson 29') Brentford 2 (Douglas 85', Donaldson 90')
ATT: 3,434
REF: M, Haywood
Overall, I think we got in completely wrong in the second half. I was always expecting Brentford to come out after half time and give us a game. But I never expected us to hand them the game by defending as deep as we did.
At least we have a bye in the JPT as we try to regroup and go for it again, against MK Dons back at the Bescot on Saturday.
By: Berian Lowe
By: Berian Lowe