REPORT: YEOVIL TOWN 0 WALSALL 1 REPORT: YEOVIL TOWN 0 WALSALL 1
Posted by: Bescot Banter

REPORT: YEOVIL TOWN 0 WALSALL 1

Earlier this evening Walsall Football Club made the lengthy trip to Somerset to take on surprise Sky Bet League 1 strugglers Yeovil Town in the latest round of Football League fixtures.
Earlier this evening Walsall Football Club made the lengthy trip to Somerset to take on surprise Sky Bet League 1 strugglers Yeovil Town in the latest round of Football League fixtures.

It was Yeovil that got the game underway, the Saddlers had the better of the early going, keeping the ball in the home half, Tom Bradshaw worked well but dragged his shot wide of Scott Loach's goal.

Town had their first chance of the game soon after, James Hayter just inches away from Ugwu's deep ball across goal.

Town's Stephen Kingsley and Tom Bradshaw clashed heads with the Yeovil man needing a few minutes of treatment before being substituted. Nathan Ralph came on, whilst Tom Bradshaw was warned by referee Charles Breakspear.

After 12 minutes James Baxendale sent a shot well over the bar after moving in to space.

Jordy Hiwula also had an effort on goal, his stayed inside the ground - but still curled wide of Loach's goal, a good burst of pace from the Manchester City man.

Later, striker James Hayter was again close to being on the end of a Town cross, Richard O'Donnell easily gathered ahead of the prolific front-man.

The game was a bit of a midfield battle, with both sides keen to establish their game on the opposition, but neither side was able to take too much control.

Romaine Sawyers sent a shot straight into the hands of Scott Loach following a good pass from Adam Chambers.

Walsall won a corner after around 25 minutes, James Baxendale and Andy Taylor combining well. Reece Flanagan took the kick but it came to nothing as Town defended well, helped a little by sloppy Saddlers play.

The Saddlers were awarded a penalty after twenty-eight minutes, 'keeper Scott Loach bringing down Jordy Hiwula who put in a burst of pace that forced the stopper into action.

Tom Bradshaw stepped up and took the kick, Scott Loach redeemed himself in the eyes of the home fans as he easily grasped the kick, which went straight down the middle of the goal.

Yeovil won a free kick soon after the restart, this went wide of goal as they too failed to make the most of their chance.

Paul Downing defended well soon after, he made up for a poor pass by blocking a Town shot with the Glovers on the break.

Former Yeovil loanee Jordy Hiwula grabbed his fourth goal of his Saddlers spell, as 'keeper Loach could only grasp at his effort from just inside the area, the chance was largely created by a good initial pass from roaming left-back Andy Taylor.

Later, Hiwula cut inside his marker, found a mobile Romaine Sawyers who then had a shot palmed away by 'keeper Scott Loach.

The resulting corner was cleared for another as was the second, the Glovers' tall defence helping them defend well against the high ball attack.

Soon after Tom Bradshaw sent the ball over the bar and the stand, as he continued to snatch at his efforts. Adam Chambers also sent a shot over the bar as the home side backed off.

Bradshaw and Taylor combined to cut the ball inside to Baxendale, who scuffed his effort into the hands of the 'keeper, the resulting corner was defended.

With five minutes of the half remaining the home side changed their formation in a bid to contain the Saddlers, who had enjoyed large spells of possession.

Tom Bradshaw had a shot saved after a great break from the Saddlers, the Glovers' blushes being saved by Scott Loach. Very soon after, Loach was in action once again, as Jordy Hiwula attempted to bend a shot past him, Scott doing well to get down to the effort.

As we reached the 45 minute mark, Walsall were awarded a free kick out wide, this was wasted as Town broke, their counter also came to nothing as the Saddlers remained alert.

As we headed closer to the break the Glovers were awarded a free kick, which was around 35 yards from goal. Shephard stepped up, but could only find the hands of Richard O'Donnell as Walsall remained in the lead at the break.

HALF TIME SCORE - YEOVIL TOWN 0 WALSALL 1

The Saddlers got the second half underway, and were attacking towards the away end.

Ugwu had a shot blocked after being fed the ball by Berrett, Saddlers alert as the Glovers looked to get back into the game.

James Baxendale cut into the box and saw his shot curl onto the post, the ball rebounded in the direction of Tom Bradshaw, but the Glovers defence were alert to the danger and cleared.

Then James Hayter hit the bar following a great counter and cross from the wing, Ugwu was then offside as he followed up and slotted home the rebound.

Goalscorer Jordy Hiwula saw his toe-poked effort sail over the bar following good combination play from Flanagan and Sawyers.

Tom Bradshaw also had an effort charged down as Sawyers sent another effort over, the home side under much pressure at the back.

Terry Skiverton made a double change just ahead of the hour mark, first half sub Ralph was replaced by Grant as James Hayter was also taken off for Morgan, the home manager looking to mix up his side who had little answer to the Saddlers attack.

Reece Flanagan fed Jordy Hiwula who sent a shot over the bar as the Glovers continued to back off.

Walsall vice-Captain Paul Downing was entered into the referee's book after an hour, the defender appearing to pull the shirt of a Town attacker.

The resulting free kick was deflected for a corner, the flag kick was cleared for another, which was also defended, they also had a penalty shout during the attack as Berrett went down in the box, nothing was given.

The Glovers enjoyed a good spell of possession as the Saddlers seemed to take a rest.

They won a corner as James Chambers misread the ball and allowed it to go behind for a flag kick. James redeemed himself by being first to the corner as Walsall cleared.

Not long after Saddlers' top-scorer Tom Bradshaw again sent a shot wide following good wing play from the hard-working Andy Taylor.

Flame-haired midfielder Flanagan also had another effort saved - as the Saddlers looked to grab the second goal of the game.

Yeovil's Sheehan did well to find Grant who once again brought the best out of Richard O'Donnell, the stopper spreading himself well to deny them a goal.

Richard O'Donnell was fouled by Josh Sheehan, the Glover going in a little high on the 'keeper.

Yeovil won a penalty of their own after 71 minutes, Ben Purkiss fouling Grant as the attacker broke into the box. Richard O'Donnell added another save to his showreel as he denied Morgan from the spot.

The Glovers piled on the pressure following the penalty save and had several corners, the Saddlers defended well and managed to keep their lead.

Yeovil's Keiffer Moore was booked for a foul on Tom Bradshaw, soon after James Baxendale was also booked for simulation as he went down a little easily on the edge of the area.

Ashley Grimes replaced James Baxendale with just over ten minutes remaining. He was soon in action as he saw his deflected effort saved by Loach. Flanagan took the corner, which was headed wide of goal by James Chambers.

Reece Flanagan had an effort saved for a corner as the Saddlers added to the pressure. Reece took the corner, which was partially cleared as the ball back in went for a throw.

As we reached the 85 minute mark, Richard O'Donnell was once again called into action, he saved well from Sheeha, good play from Morgan and Grant down the Walsall right.

The Glovers saw blood as Purkiss tired, they won a corner as Walsall looked to hold on. Richard O'Donnell saved well from a Webster header, the resulting corner was cleared.

Reece Flanagan was replaced by Michael Cain with a minute of normal time remaining.

Ashley Grimes had a shot saved as Walsall looked to keep the ball in the corners.

Morgan also had a shot saved by O'Donnell as the 'keeper remained solid and helped the Saddlers secure the all-important three points.

 RESULT   YEOVIL TOWN         WALSALL       
 GOALS  Hiwula 32' 
 AT  Huish Park (Yeovil) 
 ATTENDANCE  3,668 (149 Walsall)
 REFEREE  Mr. Charles Breakspear (Surrey) 

YEOVIL TOWN 
Loach; Berrett, Foley,  Moore  Davis , Ugwu, Webster,  Sheehan , Shephard, Kingsley (Ralph 11') (Grant 56'), Hayter (Morgan 56')

YEOVIL TOWN SUBSTITUTES NOT USED
Stewart, Hoskins, Ofori-Twumasi, Eastwood

WALSALL 
Richard O'DONNELL;  Ben PURKISS , James CHAMBERS,  Paul DOWNING , Andy TAYLOR; Adam CHAMBERS (C), Reece FLANAGAN (Michael CAIN 89');  James BAXENDALE , (Ashley GRIMES 78'), Romaine SAWYERS, Jordy HIWULA, Tom BRADSHAW

WALSALL SUBSTITUTES NOT USED
Craig MacGILLIVRAY; Matt PRESTON, James O'CONNOR; Liam KINSELLA, Amadou BAKAYOKO
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