Earlier this evening Walsall Football Club travelled to Spotland to take on Rochdale in the latest Sky Bet League 1 fixture of the season. You can read our latest match report below.
As Walsall got the game underway, the Saddlers were expected to line up in a 4-1-4-1 formation with club Captain Adam Chambers sitting between defence and midfield.
Rochdale 'keeper Lillis was under pressure early as a deflected Lalkovic cross and Bradshaw shot were both dealt with, a bright start for Dean Smith's men.
At the other end a McDermott cross-field pass was inches away from the outstretched foot of Henderson, as the home side looked to stretch their opponents.
Walsall were awarded the first free kick of the game as Vincenti felled Lalkovic. The resulting effort was taken by Andy Taylor and headed wide by Bradshaw, a good opportunity for the Saddlers.
Both sides were playing at a high tempo, helped somewhat by a greasy surface, passing a-plenty in the early goings.
With around ten-minutes gone, Rochdale's Bennett was thankful for an offside flag as he blazed wide from close range, he really should've made better use of the space he was afforded by the Saddlers' back-line following a good cross from Henderson.
Walsall were under a fair bit of pressure from time to time as they allowed Rochdale to play in front of them, the Saddlers did break but Demetriou couldn't find Bradshaw as he over-hit his cross.
The Dale continued to enjoy a good spell on the ball as Henderson chested down an Allen cross, however he couldn't make use of it as the ball hit the slippery surface and went for a goal kick to the Saddlers.
Back at the other end Walsall were awarded a corner following good endeavour from Milan Lalkovic, the flag-kick was sent in by Flanagan and eventually gathered by Lillis following a soft header by Paul Downing.
As Etheridge cleared ahead of an attacker, the Saddlers broke down field and won another free-kick; This was poor and easily dealt with by the home side.
Rochdale soon had another attempt on goal as Henderson beat Downing and sent in a cross, this was fumbled by Etheridge and sent into the arm of the attacking Bennett, luckily for the Saddlers the ball flew harmlessly wide of goal.
Camps was the next to fire wide following an initially saved McDermott effort, lots of time on the ball for the hosts.
Soon after, the Saddlers nearly had a chance of their own as Sam Mantom broke well down the wing and sent in a dangerous cross, sadly no-one attacked the ball and Rochdale cleared the danger.
Tom Bradshaw was a lonely man as the home side continued to be the better side, not much forward motion from the Saddlers as we reached the final fifteen minutes of the half.
Adam Chambers was inches away from a great through-ball following good play from Paul Downing, a good move from the defensive duo.
Kieron Morris sent a shot wide from the edge of the area following a solid counter attack, Adam Chambers broke up a Rochdale move and sent the ball down field, Lalkovic's cross found the aforementioned Morris who couldn't quite make the most of the opening.
The Saddlers were soon on the attack again and forced a corner, more good play from Lalkovic during the move.
Reece Flanagan took the flag-kick which was punched away by Lillis, the eventual ball back in was cleared for a throw as the Saddlers looked to pile on the pressure.
Rochdale eventually cleared but couldn't mount a counter as the Saddlers again re-gained the ball in the Dale half.
Sam Mantom had a deflected effort saved as Walsall sought the opening goal, the home side under mounting pressure as the clock ticked down.
Kieron Morris did well to breakdown a Dale attack, drove towards goal and unleashed an effort from distance, it crept just wide of goal, unlucky for the Hereford-born winger.
As the game entered the solitary minute of added time, Rochdale's Henderson sent a shot high and wide when in a fair bit of space.
Rochdale 'keeper Lillis was under pressure early as a deflected Lalkovic cross and Bradshaw shot were both dealt with, a bright start for Dean Smith's men.
At the other end a McDermott cross-field pass was inches away from the outstretched foot of Henderson, as the home side looked to stretch their opponents.
Walsall were awarded the first free kick of the game as Vincenti felled Lalkovic. The resulting effort was taken by Andy Taylor and headed wide by Bradshaw, a good opportunity for the Saddlers.
Both sides were playing at a high tempo, helped somewhat by a greasy surface, passing a-plenty in the early goings.
With around ten-minutes gone, Rochdale's Bennett was thankful for an offside flag as he blazed wide from close range, he really should've made better use of the space he was afforded by the Saddlers' back-line following a good cross from Henderson.
Walsall were under a fair bit of pressure from time to time as they allowed Rochdale to play in front of them, the Saddlers did break but Demetriou couldn't find Bradshaw as he over-hit his cross.
The Dale continued to enjoy a good spell on the ball as Henderson chested down an Allen cross, however he couldn't make use of it as the ball hit the slippery surface and went for a goal kick to the Saddlers.
Back at the other end Walsall were awarded a corner following good endeavour from Milan Lalkovic, the flag-kick was sent in by Flanagan and eventually gathered by Lillis following a soft header by Paul Downing.
As Etheridge cleared ahead of an attacker, the Saddlers broke down field and won another free-kick; This was poor and easily dealt with by the home side.
Rochdale soon had another attempt on goal as Henderson beat Downing and sent in a cross, this was fumbled by Etheridge and sent into the arm of the attacking Bennett, luckily for the Saddlers the ball flew harmlessly wide of goal.
Camps was the next to fire wide following an initially saved McDermott effort, lots of time on the ball for the hosts.
Soon after, the Saddlers nearly had a chance of their own as Sam Mantom broke well down the wing and sent in a dangerous cross, sadly no-one attacked the ball and Rochdale cleared the danger.
Tom Bradshaw was a lonely man as the home side continued to be the better side, not much forward motion from the Saddlers as we reached the final fifteen minutes of the half.
Adam Chambers was inches away from a great through-ball following good play from Paul Downing, a good move from the defensive duo.
Kieron Morris sent a shot wide from the edge of the area following a solid counter attack, Adam Chambers broke up a Rochdale move and sent the ball down field, Lalkovic's cross found the aforementioned Morris who couldn't quite make the most of the opening.
The Saddlers were soon on the attack again and forced a corner, more good play from Lalkovic during the move.
Reece Flanagan took the flag-kick which was punched away by Lillis, the eventual ball back in was cleared for a throw as the Saddlers looked to pile on the pressure.
Rochdale eventually cleared but couldn't mount a counter as the Saddlers again re-gained the ball in the Dale half.
Sam Mantom had a deflected effort saved as Walsall sought the opening goal, the home side under mounting pressure as the clock ticked down.
Kieron Morris did well to breakdown a Dale attack, drove towards goal and unleashed an effort from distance, it crept just wide of goal, unlucky for the Hereford-born winger.
As the game entered the solitary minute of added time, Rochdale's Henderson sent a shot high and wide when in a fair bit of space.
SKY BET LEAGUE 1 - HALF TIME
ROCHDALE 0 WALSALL 0
The home side got the second half underway, but the Saddlers created the first opening of the period, Mantom and Demetriou working well together but they couldn't find Bradshaw as the ball in went to waste.
A Demetriou cross, which was heading for Bradshaw, was cleared for a corner, the resulting flag-kick was poor and eventually cleared by the hosts as Henderson rose well to head out.
As the night closed in, both sides continued to look for openings while holding firm at the back. The home side were the first to make a change as Michael Rose replaced Callum Camps.
Either side of the change both Walsall and Rochdale sent in deep box-bound crosses but neither came to much as the defences stood strong.
Rochdale's Joe Rafferty was the first to see yellow as Lalkovic evaded his attempts to tackle, the resulting free kick was taken by Milan Lalkovic and gathered easily by Lillis.
Joe Bunney was the next to come on for the hosts, he replaced the booked Rafferty as Keith Hill looked for fresh legs.
Ahead of the hour mark Walsall won a corner which was well over hit and partially cleared, the Saddlers regained as Taylor sent in a deep cross, Kieron Morris rose well to head over on the stretch.
As Demetriou hacked clear in front of Etheridge, the Saddlers broke and saw a Flanagan half-volley saved following a good ball from Adam Chambers.
The hosts had the ball in the back of the net as following a saved Bunney effort, Vincenti slid in to score at the far post, the goal was ruled out for offside as the Saddlers slept in defence.
Following a poorly cleared corner Walsall almost gifted the hosts a goal as O'Connor headed over Etheridge, the ball was cleared for another corner which eventually fell to Bunney, his effort was saved by Etheridge.
Despite the major pressure, it was Walsall that opened the scoring, a Taylor strike nestling in the net following a good pull-back from Milan Lalkovic.
As the game briefly calmed, Walsall made a double change with Lalkovic and Flanagan being replaced by Sawyers and Forde.
Walsall almost created a goal for Rochdale as Etheridge fluffed a clearance, luckily he did well to clear up ahead of an attacker.
The hosts soon made their final change of the match as Andrews replaced Vincent.
Following more Rochdale pressure, the Saddlers doubled their lead, a Sam Mantom effort took a huge deflection over the 'keeper and found it's way into the back of the net, unlucky for Lillis but great work from the midfield-man.
Unfortunately for the Saddlers, during the build up to the goal left-back Andy Taylor picked up an injury and, following treatment, was replaced by Rico Henry.
The Saddlers' stopper Neil Etheridge required some treatment after a heavy fall, he recovered to continue but did concede a goal as a Henderson effort hit the bar, rebounded, and was sent home by Calvin Andrew, much to the annoyance of Dean Smith who was certain that there was a foul before the ball crossed the line.
The home side looked to get back on level terms and were awarded a corner following a poor clearance from Demetriou, the initial ball in was cleared, and Rico Henry did well to force the attacker back, this was short lived as the Dale continued to push high up the field.
Rochdale won another corner but made no-use of it as the ball in from McDermott flew straight across goal before the referee awarded a free kick for a foul inside the area.
As five minutes of added time as announced the home side were awarded a corner kick; this was played in deep and punched away by Etheridge. The home side continued to pressurise and looked to force Walsall back.
Rochdale maintained the ball for large spells of the added-on time but failed to make much impact as Walsall sought to slow the game down and force the hosts back up the field, the Saddlers stood firm to collect their second victory on the road in tree days.
A Demetriou cross, which was heading for Bradshaw, was cleared for a corner, the resulting flag-kick was poor and eventually cleared by the hosts as Henderson rose well to head out.
As the night closed in, both sides continued to look for openings while holding firm at the back. The home side were the first to make a change as Michael Rose replaced Callum Camps.
Either side of the change both Walsall and Rochdale sent in deep box-bound crosses but neither came to much as the defences stood strong.
Rochdale's Joe Rafferty was the first to see yellow as Lalkovic evaded his attempts to tackle, the resulting free kick was taken by Milan Lalkovic and gathered easily by Lillis.
Joe Bunney was the next to come on for the hosts, he replaced the booked Rafferty as Keith Hill looked for fresh legs.
Ahead of the hour mark Walsall won a corner which was well over hit and partially cleared, the Saddlers regained as Taylor sent in a deep cross, Kieron Morris rose well to head over on the stretch.
As Demetriou hacked clear in front of Etheridge, the Saddlers broke and saw a Flanagan half-volley saved following a good ball from Adam Chambers.
The hosts had the ball in the back of the net as following a saved Bunney effort, Vincenti slid in to score at the far post, the goal was ruled out for offside as the Saddlers slept in defence.
Following a poorly cleared corner Walsall almost gifted the hosts a goal as O'Connor headed over Etheridge, the ball was cleared for another corner which eventually fell to Bunney, his effort was saved by Etheridge.
Despite the major pressure, it was Walsall that opened the scoring, a Taylor strike nestling in the net following a good pull-back from Milan Lalkovic.
As the game briefly calmed, Walsall made a double change with Lalkovic and Flanagan being replaced by Sawyers and Forde.
Walsall almost created a goal for Rochdale as Etheridge fluffed a clearance, luckily he did well to clear up ahead of an attacker.
The hosts soon made their final change of the match as Andrews replaced Vincent.
Following more Rochdale pressure, the Saddlers doubled their lead, a Sam Mantom effort took a huge deflection over the 'keeper and found it's way into the back of the net, unlucky for Lillis but great work from the midfield-man.
Unfortunately for the Saddlers, during the build up to the goal left-back Andy Taylor picked up an injury and, following treatment, was replaced by Rico Henry.
The Saddlers' stopper Neil Etheridge required some treatment after a heavy fall, he recovered to continue but did concede a goal as a Henderson effort hit the bar, rebounded, and was sent home by Calvin Andrew, much to the annoyance of Dean Smith who was certain that there was a foul before the ball crossed the line.
The home side looked to get back on level terms and were awarded a corner following a poor clearance from Demetriou, the initial ball in was cleared, and Rico Henry did well to force the attacker back, this was short lived as the Dale continued to push high up the field.
Rochdale won another corner but made no-use of it as the ball in from McDermott flew straight across goal before the referee awarded a free kick for a foul inside the area.
As five minutes of added time as announced the home side were awarded a corner kick; this was played in deep and punched away by Etheridge. The home side continued to pressurise and looked to force Walsall back.
Rochdale maintained the ball for large spells of the added-on time but failed to make much impact as Walsall sought to slow the game down and force the hosts back up the field, the Saddlers stood firm to collect their second victory on the road in tree days.
SKY BET LEAGUE 1 - RESULT
ROCHDALE 1 WALSALL 2
GOALS: Andrew (80') -- Taylor (65'), Mantom (71')
ATTENDANCE: 2,381
REFEREE: Mr. David Webb (Lancashire)
GOALS: Andrew (80') -- Taylor (65'), Mantom (71')
ATTENDANCE: 2,381
REFEREE: Mr. David Webb (Lancashire)