REPORT | Peterborough United 1 Walsall 1 REPORT | Peterborough United 1 Walsall 1

REPORT | Peterborough United 1 Walsall 1

On Saturday afternoon Walsall Football Club travelled to the ABAX Stadium to take on Peterborough United in the latest Sky Bet League 1 fixture of the season. You can read our match report below.
On Saturday afternoon Walsall Football Club travelled to the ABAX Stadium to take on Peterborough United in the latest Sky Bet League 1 fixture of the season. You can read our match report below.

The game started at a pace, with both sides seeking to control the tempo and get the ball down in midfield, though it was Walsall that enjoyed more of the ball in the early stages.

Following a blocked Sam Mantom drive, Walsall were the first side to test the 'keeper as an Andy Taylor cross was headed into the 'keepers hands by an advanced Jason Demetriou.

Reece Flanagan, who replaced Milan Lalkovic in the starting XI, saw an effort creep wide of goal as goalkeeper Alnwick scrambled across his line.

The Posh had a sight on goal soon after, as Jermaine Anderson does well to force a cross, although Angol couldn't control as Etheridge gathered.

Neil Etheridge was again called into action soon after as Maddison saw a drive deflected and eventually gathered as Angol looked to get in.

The Posh won the opening corner of the game as Angol forced Demetriou into action. The resulting flag-kick was headed into Etheridge's arms as the hosts failed to take advantage.

Anderson sent a shot wide of goal soon after, the home side looking to force the Saddlers back as they sought the opening goal of the game.

Peterborough were later awarded a free kick, which was taken short to Forrester, he failed to make much use of it as he sliced an effort wide of goal.

After a spell of competitive play in midfield, Walsall earned a corner as Jason Demetriou sent in a drive that was deflected wide of goal. Taylor took the corner short, and the hosts cleared the danger.

Etheridge was alert to the danger as the Posh broke down the field, Maddison and Coulibaly combining to create the initial cross.

The game continued to be a competitive affair, with the sides cancelling each other out for long spells.

Just after the thirty minute mark, Sam Mantom found Reece Flanagan in space, he drove forward and had an effort saved, a nice direct run from the midfield man.

Flanagan and Mantom combined again soon after, as the former attempted a lofted pass into Tom Bradshaw, the 'keeper was alert and came out to gather.

Walsall stopper Neil Etheridge was again called into action as Oztumer had a shot on goal. Some good play from Coulibaly to take the ball off Rico Henry during the build up. The resulting corner was poor and cleared for a throw-in.

Following a partially cleared long throw, Coulibaly beat Henry and Chambers then sent an effort wide of goal, poor, given the space he was afforded.

With around three minutes of the half remaining Walsall enjoyed a good spell of attacking play as a Rico Henry cross was forced out for a corner. Taylor took the effort but it came to nothing as a free kick was awarded for a soft foul in the box.

SKY BET LEAGUE 1 - HALF TIME
THE POSH 0-0 SADDLERS

Both sides were unchanged as the second half got underway. The second half began in similar fashion to the first as both sides were in on goal but failed to make much of the space.

Peterborough's Anderson over-hit a pass wide of goal, and Walsall saw Mantom, Sawyers and Bradshaw combine well before Alnwick gathered the loose ball.

Coulibaly, who was highly involved in the first half, had his first action of the second half as he beat his marker James O'Connor, but could only send the ball well wide of the Walsall goal.

With just over fifty minutes on the clock, Walsall were the side that opened the scoring as Romaine Sawyers added to his highlight reel and unleashed an unstoppable effort into the top corner, 'keeper Alnwick did get a hand to it, but was unable to stop it as the Saddlers took the lead.

As the Posh looked to get back into the game, Anderson won a corner which was punched away by Etheridge, Forrester looked to capitalise but Etheridge managed to gather and protect his clean sheet.

Walsall were awarded a free kick soon after, the ball in was poor and headed clear. The Saddlers regained the ball and Mantom found Sawyers, but his shot was weak and gathered.

As the hosts wasted a free kick, which went well wide of goal, Jon Taylor came on for Maddison, some fresh legs for the Posh.

Posh defender Zakuani did well to defend from a dangerous Sadders attack, Sawyers' dangerous cross is cleared over the bar. The resulting corner came to nothing as there was a foul in the box.

The hosts won a corner of their own soon after, the initial effort was punched out, and Etheridge did well to gather the ball as substitute Taylor floated it back in.

With just over twenty minutes of the game remaining, Romaine Sawyers sent an effort over the bar, lots of endeavour for the midfield man.

As Tom Bradshaw received some treatment, Walsall made a double change as Jordan Cook replaced Reece Flanagan and Milan Lalkovic came of for the aforementioned Bradshaw.

Following the changes, Sawyers again had an effort on goal, Alnwick saved easily, but wasn't happy with his defence backing off.

With around fifteen minutes of play remaining, Angol was replaced by Washington for the hosts, an attacking move as the clock ticked down.

Washington soon saw action as he had a shot blocked by James O'Connor as he found space in the box.

The hosts soon won a corner but again failed to make much use of it as the Saddlers broke down the other end. Their attack was quelled as the home side defended well to force the ball out.

As the Saddlers began to be pushed back, Walsall made their final change with Anthony Forde replacing Andy Taylor, who was looking quite tired. The hosts also made a change as Bostwick replaced Forrester.

Following the two changes, Peterborough's Jermaine Anderson was strangely sent off for a bizarre incident as he threw a drinks bottle back towards the bench, it deflected and went into the crowd, an accident which no-one could explain, but the referee and fourth official saw fit to dismiss the player as all around looked on in confusion.

Following the delay in play and a poor Saddlers corner which was floated into the area and gathered, Peterborough broke up the other end and won a penalty as Neil Etheridge fouled Bostwick who had burst into the box. He regained his composure and levelled the scores, terrible for the Saddlers following incredibly sloppy play.

The game became a frenetic affair as both sides looked to send the ball into the box. Lalkovic and Sawyers both had shots on goal for the Saddlers, the latter's being tipped over for a corner, which was cleared.

Walsall began to take charge as the game entered stoppage time, Anthony Forde saw a cross gathered and a header saved  and Sam Mantom rattled the bar as the visitors were unable to break trough and the game finished all-square.

SKY BET LEAGUE 1 - RESULT
THE POSH 1 - 1 SADDLERS
GOALS | Bostwick PEN (87') - Sawyers (53')
ATTENDANCE | 5,859 (387 Walsall)
REFEREE | Mr. Mark Heywood
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