Following Saturday's npower League One visit of Hartlepool United, columnist Calum Williams shares his Match Report;
Walsall were
boosted by the addition of lively Chesterfield striker Craig Westcarr, although
he was only given a place on the bench.
It was Walsall who
made a much better start, Febian Brandy causing the Pool’s defence problems,
and laying the ball off to Sam Mantom, who’s first shot was blocked, and a
second parried out again by keeper Scott Flinders. Soon after, Brandy got a
good connection on an inviting cross from the right, but his header bounced off
the soggy surface, and missed to the left of the goal.
The Saddlers
continued to pile on the pressure, with youngsters Brandy and Paterson being
largely involved in the play, and both having shots wide. Further pressure saw
Jamie Paterson again involved, this time directing a curled free kick straight
into the hands of Pool’s keeper Flinders.
Hartlepool then
got their first break of the half, a poor back-pass to Walsall keeper McCarey
saw him forced to make a challenge on experienced striker Scott Howard who had
stolen the ball, and the referee rightly pointed to the spot, and showed the
Saddlers keeper a yellow card for his troubles. The penalty was slotted home by
Oliver Norwood. A weak shot sent McCarey the wrong way, and Norwood showed what
it meant to him and his team, by smashing the ball in the net a second time,
and celebrating with his jubilant team-mates.
GOAL: Walsall 0 Hartlepool United 1 (Norwood PEN 29’)
That was
Hartlepool’s first shot of the game, but the Saddlers carried on playing as
they had done in the first 30 minutes, creating more chances. A corner fell to
Sam Mantom who drove the ball into the danger zone, but Scott Flinders got down
well to gather the ball into his grasp.
More attacks saw
an Ashley Hemmings header go wide, seemingly dangerous crosses from Paterson
and Brandy evading everyone in the box, and Flinders spilling a Saddlers corner
before gathering at the second attempt. But in a half where Walsall had
dominated, had 57% of the possession, and had 14 shots on goal, they failed to
score, and allowed a poor Hartlepool side to lead at the break.
HT Walsall 0 Hartlepool United 1
Walsall brought on
Craig Westcarr to bolster their attack, and started the second half as they had
started first, with more attacking play earning a corner early on. The ball was
whipped over by Jamie Paterson but was too deep for the men in the box. The
ball fell to Richard Taundry who drilled it back in, Will Grigg’s shot was
saved at close range, before Walsall’s big number 5 Dean Holden tapped in a
much needed equaliser for the Saddlers.
GOAL: Walsall 1 (Holden, 49) Hartlepool United 1
And Dean Smith’s
men certainly weren’t finished there. Westcarr who started out on the right
wing put a dangerous ball into the box, which Pool’s defender Peter Hartley
attempted to clear, but he spooned it marginally over the crossbar.
Walsall looked
increasingly wasteful with their attacks, throwing away corners, and not making
the most of their possession, Richard Taundry the next player to blaze a shot
over the bar. In the final 20 minutes, the game did look more open, with Pool
getting into the game more, but still failing to get a noteworthy opportunity.
Pool played a high
line, which Walsall looked to exploit. Febian Brandy continued to look
dangerous, and got arguably his best chance of the game late on. He managed to
weave his way around the Hartlepool defence, but found himself at a tight
angle, and couldn’t convert his shot, which flashed across the goal, and out
for a goal kick.
The Saddlers
continued to pressure Hartlepool but, in truth, never really looked like
scoring, which has been the story of the past 2 months. Frustrated Walsall fans
booed off their side at full time, which was probably harsh on the players, who
had dominated the game from start to finish.
So what now?
Walsall have the loan striker fans have asked for in Craig Westcarr, but relied
on a goal from a full back to save them a point at home, against rock bottom
Hartlepool United. 20 shots with only one goal simply isn’t acceptable from the
Saddlers. Febian Brandy and Jamie Paterson caused problems, Will Grigg and
George Bowerman featured in the game too, but none could convert.
The Saddlers slip
into 19th place in the table, but still don’t look like relegation
candidates. The only solution I can think of, is that the squad needs shooting
practice, and lots of it! It’s easy to jump on the ‘Dean Smith out’ bandwagon,
but neither his tactics nor his signings are the reason we find ourselves
without a win in 14, it’s ultimately down to the miss-firing strikers. The
Saddlers next face Coventry City at the Ricoh Arena on the 8th
December.
F/T: Walsall 1 (Holden 49') Hartlepool United 1 (Horwood PEN 29')
ATT: 4,562
REF: I, Williamson
MOTM: F, Brandy
By: Calum Williams