REPORT: Walsall 0 Notts County 0 REPORT: Walsall 0 Notts County 0

REPORT: Walsall 0 Notts County 0

Earlier today Walsall Football Club played host to Notts County in the latest Sky Bet League 1 fixture of the season. We were in attendance and share our match report below.
Earlier today Walsall Football Club played host to Notts County in the latest Sky Bet League 1 fixture of the season. We were in attendance and share our match report below.

Our visitors Notts County got the game underway, but it was Walsall that had the opening chance of the game, a poor defensive header from County defender Hollis allowed a central Jordan Cook to break, he lifted the ball over Roy Carroll and sadly over his net.

Good wing play from Kieron Morris allowed Jordan Cook to get in again, he beats a sliding Hollis but sent his chipped effort wide of goal.

Richard O'Donnell gathered from a Spencer header, good play in the build up from County, Saddlers seemingly happy to sit off at times.

Sawyers looked to find an advanced Hiwula, but his through-ball was a little to hard and ends in Carroll's hands, the slippery surface not Romaine's friend early on.

Kieron Morris again broke down the wing, he looked for Jordy Hiwula but his pass was over-hit and cleared.

The Saddlers looking keen to get forward in the opening ten minutes, County a little nervous as they sat in the relegation zone.

After the twelve minute mark Walsall won the opening free kick of the game, a Mullins foul on Jordan Cook, out wide near the corner flag, Michael Cain took but the ball was cleared by Thompson ahead of James O'Connor.

Soon after Dumbiya did well to prevent a break from Jordan Cook, good alert play from the defender.

Jimmy Spencer had County's first chance of the game, his shot straight at Richard O'Donnell, who was making his 100th consecutive Saddlers appearance.

Kieron Morris broke well down the right wing, beating his man in the process, his cross is met by Cain but headed away by Hollis. The Saddlers won a corner soon after but cleared by Williams.

Ben Purkiss did well down the wing, his initial pass is cleared then Morris cut inside his marker and unleashed a shot, Carroll saved his effort.

The Saddlers defended well against the County counter, Thompson stopped as he breaks into the area.

Soon after Spencer also had a tame effort saved, O'Donnell alert to the danger.

Following good play from Sawyers, Jordan Cook breaks and checked back on the ball, his shot, on the outside of his boot, goes wide of goal.

Just before the thirty minute mark both sides entered a scrappy spell of play, trading poorly timed tackles and free kicks.

Newton, who was set up by Spencer, sends in a deep cross evades all the heads as it slips on the increasingly wet surface.

County were awarded a somewhat soft free kick which was taken short, McCourt looks for Spencer, but his ball is too heavy and goes for a goal kick. The Saddlers counter was quelled as Newton defended well.

A good break from Paddy McCourt down the centre of the field is stopped by Morris who immediately gives the ball away, he recovers and clears.

Jordy Hiwula is alone in the box but tries to bring Taylor's cross down allowing the 'keeper to charge and prevent the shot.

With just under ten minutes of the half remaining County were awarded a free kick, it was taken short and cleared after an attempted charge into the box by Paddy McCourt.

Burke had a shot saved after an earlier Jones effort was blocked by James O'Connor, County awarded another flag kick.

James O'Connor headed the initial corner clear, Newton sent the ball in and it was met by Hollis, his ball across the box is met by no-one and cleared.

Hollis cleared a Saddlers ball over the stand as County sought to soak up the pressure.

With less than five minutes remaining captain Adam Chambers got into space and unleashed a drive from around 25 yards, Roy Carroll gathered with ease.

We reached the break all square with neither side able to get that all-important goal.

HT: WALSALL 0 NOTTS COUNTY 0

Walsall got the second half underway and enjoyed an early spell of possession, although County did manage to gather and prevent the Saddlers building towards an opener.

Garry Thompson opened the shooting of the half, his half-volleyed effort went wide of goal, no threat to O'Donnell.

Jordy Hiwula sent a shot wide of goal following a Saddlers free kick, the home side awarded the effort as Burke and Adam Chambers had clashed heads, referee Horwood deeming Chambo to be the victim.

Former Villain Graham Burke is ruled offside as he was a good ten yards ahead of the Saddlers backline.

At the other end Mullins reacted well to a Saddlers break, blocking Jordan Cook as he looked to advance onto the ball.

County continued to defend well against advancing Saddlers attackers, Romaine Sawyers again being heavily marked, he and Morris almost combined to create an opening.

Adam Chambers, again in space, is prevented from shooting by an alert Hayden Mullins. The Saddlers continued to keet the ball but were again quelled by alert defending.

The visitors made the first change of the game just before the hour mark, Spencer was replaced by Bajner.

County were awarded a free kick on the halfway line, the ball was played in by McCourt but cleared, Dumbuya's return ball was also gathered.

The Saddlers won a corner after good wing play, Ben Purkiss the man to force the block. Morris took the flag kick, his ball is met at the back post by James Chambers and deflected wide for another corner.

Cain took the effort from the other side of goal, it was a little too deep and gathered out wide, Andy Taylor's ball back in is stopped for a Hiwula foul on Carroll, gifting a free kick to the travelling side.

Kieron Morris then had an effort blocked as County legs tired. Walsall soon won a corner after a Taylor free kick was blocked.

The ball in was met by Jordan Cook, who seemed to shank his effort onto the bar, the ball is played back in and again sent towards goal by Cook, Carroll saves well for another flag kick. An active Cook then meets the next corner ball and again hits the woodwork, County living on the edge, but Walsall unable to take their chances.

As a County counter breaks down they make another change, Noble on for Burke, looking for fresh legs in midfield.

Noble sent a shot well wide following a Banjer throw. County continued with the ball as a Mullins free kick is flicked on and cleared.

A Noble shot which bounced off the floor was saved well by O'Donnell, the ball is played back in as Thompson looked to be fouled, Williams then had a shot blocked for a corner, which was cleared.

The Saddlers made a double change as Forde and Grimes replaced Morris and Cook, Smith looking to shuffle the pack.

Walsall won a corner which was flicked away, but the Saddlers were offside on the rebound.

Richard O'Donnell was again alert to save from Jones after County's Noble took a quick free kick,  the corner was worked into the box and driven well over the bar.

McCourt was then replaced by Wroe, the final change for the visitors. Amadou Bakayoko then replaced Hiwula as Walsall also made their final change.

County continued to play well Thompson and Newton combine well but the ball in is poor and goes for a goal kick, Walsall are offside on the counter.

With a few minutes remaining, and as Ben Purkiss was named Sponsors Man of the Match, a Noble cross was cleared.

Newton also ran the ball out for a Walsall goal kick as no-one was available in the box.

A Mullins free kick was headed away, Carroll gathers and sent a deep ball towards Thompson but he sends a shot well over the bar.

As we entered three minutes of stoppage time, neither side was able to create another chance with both having to settle for a point.

FT: WALSALL 0 NOTTS COUNTY 0
ATT: 4,353 (698 Notts County)
REF: Mr. Graham Horwood (Luton, Bedfordshire)

 MATCH STATS: WALSALL 0 NOTTS COUNTY 0
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