Following Saturday's home-tie with Carlisle United, Bescot Banter columnist Lee Hale shares his Match Report;
Sometimes the smallest thing can indicate a difficult day ahead, and so it seemed today as visitors Carlisle attacked their own fans in the first half.
Sometimes the smallest thing can indicate a difficult day ahead, and so it seemed today as visitors Carlisle attacked their own fans in the first half.
The game began scrappily with both teams settling slowly, a few half chances being created along the way until Cuvelier showed great skill to beat a couple of men but his effort barely tested the Carlisle 'keeper.
A quarter of an hour in and Walsall were in front.
A lovely team move down Carlisle's right flank saw the ball knocked in by Cuvelier and well dummied by Bowerman to Paterson who was there to cooly stroke the ball in and put the Saddlers in the lead.
Walsall began to exhibit their very own brand of 'Barcelona' style passing football, but the game began to open up with both goalkeepers being made to work, and then 26 minutes in Carlisle were on level terms.
Walsall's defence was found wanting and Garner found himself with a simple six yard header to the delight of the travelling fans.
Tempers began to flair seeing Baxendale getting a booking for 'handbags', and the half ended with Carlisle looking the stronger of the two sides, with Walsall having Darlow to thank for the scores being level after a good reaction stop.
HT: Walsall 1 Carlisle United 1
Richard Taundry replace Ben Purkiss at the break.
Carlisle began the second half much the same as they ended the first, pushing for the lead, but Walsall defended well.
Darlow was again forced into a good stop, pushing a Robson effort round his left hand post before the ensuing corner was cleared.
Walsall held on to possession well, but almost seemed to be trying to pass the ball into the net and sorely missing that killer touch, half chances seemingly the best that Walsall could muster.
Carlisle were unluck not to go in front as a speculative effort from substitute Noble cracked against the foot of Darlow's left hand post.
Heading into the announced four minutes of stoppage time, the game was wide open until heartbreakingly the visitors snatched it.
Noble again in the mix, rounded the sprawling Darlow for a simple tap into the back of the net.
The Saddlers tried to fire themselves into one last push, but it wasn't to be.
FT: Walsall 1 (Paterson 16') Carlisle United 2 (Garner 29', Noble 90+3')
ATT: 3,964
REF: C, Boyeson
A strange game all in all, at times we looked fantastic, and at other times, a little disinterested.
Two home defeats in a row clearly indicate we need a point or three next week against YOU KNOW WHO to bounce back.
Two home defeats in a row clearly indicate we need a point or three next week against YOU KNOW WHO to bounce back.
By: Lee Hale