REPORT | Barnsley 0 Walsall 2 REPORT | Barnsley 0 Walsall 2

REPORT | Barnsley 0 Walsall 2

Earlier this evening, Walsall Football Club travelled to Oakwell, to take on Barnsley in the latest Sky Bet League 1 fixture of the season. You can read our match report below.
Earlier this evening, Walsall Football Club travelled to Oakwell, to take on Barnsley in the latest Sky Bet League 1 fixture of the season. You can read our match report below.

The home side got the game underway, and they had the game's opening attempt as Sam Winnall scuffed a shot wide of Craig MacGillivray's goal as the defenders' pressure told.

Both sides went on to enjoy periods of possession, Walsall's Romaine Sawyers also had an effort blocked, as his marker did well to prevent him from making an impact early on.

Manchester City loanee George Evans had his first effort on goal just after the ten minute mark, his shot from distance easily grasped by 'keeper Townsend, who had time to set himself.

Just after the quarter-hour mark, the hosts won the opening corner of the game, a deep goal kick from Townsend causing the defence problems. The flag kick was cleared after an initial Tykes header began a brief set of head tennis.

George Evans had his second effort of the match as he saw an effort from distance drift just wide of the Tykes' right-hand post, a nice set up from Milan Lalkovic finding the player in space.

Barnsley defender Marc Roberts' trademark long-throw caused the Saddlers a few issues from time to time, his ability to loft the ball is a huge bonus for the home side.

As we reached twenty-six minutes of the half, Barnsley's 'keeper was alert to take the ball from the feet of Sawyers, as he and George Evans looked to create space.

Barnsley's Reece Wabara, who was a product of the Walsall youth system until joining Manchester City some years ago, was the first recipient of a booking of the game, as he fouled Tom Bradshaw who looked to have the beating of him.

With under ten minutes of the half remaining, loanee Evans continued to be involved as he burst into the area and sent in a cross which the 'keeper gathered at the second attempt.

Anthony Forde sent in a cross, which Tom Bradshaw pushed towards goal, Lewin Nyatanga got a touch and sent the ball wide. The hosts broke up the field and won a corner of their own, which came to nothing.

Soon after, Barnsley's Sam Winnall forced a save from Craig MacGillivray as he looked to open the scoring, the 'keeper dropped the ball but was able to gather ahead of an attacker.

With under five minutes of the half remaining, George Evans was the second player to be booked, the midfield man a little unlucky as he looked to have got the ball.

As one minute of added time was awarded, Walsall's Tom Bradshaw headed an effort over the bar, a nice cross from Forde to the man in space, as the two sides went in to the break all-square.

SKY BET LEAGUE 1 - HALF TIME
BARNSLEY 0-0 WALSALL

Before Dean Smith's Walsall kicked off the second half, Barnsley made a change, as Kadeem Harris replaced George Smith.

Following a spell of fairly quiet play, Barnsley had the first real effort of the half as Mawson headed wide of the Saddlers goal.

Walsall did well to defend a Barnsley corner, Adam Chambers heading away the danger. Paul Downing denying Jackson earlier, giving the opposition the corner.

The hosts had Josh Scowen and Ben Pearson booked, as the referee looked to assert his authority on the game, too much complaining from Pearson following a foul, forcing the referee's hand.

As Jason Demetriou sent an effort over the bar, Barnsley broke and won a corner through a Ben Pearson deflected drive. The flag-kick was met by Nyatanga, who saw a header clawed away by MacGillivray. Top stuff from the young stopper.

Midfield man Adam Chambers continued his superb form, as he defended well, and sought to break up the field when space allowed.

Just before the hour mark the Saddlers sought a penalty as Tom Bradshaw looked to be felled inside the Barnsley area, the referee was not interested and the game continued.

The home side then made another change as Dan Crowley replaced Simeon Jackson in attack.

Walsall opened the scoring after sixty-three minutes, George Evans, making his loan debut, turned well, creating space, and found the bottom corner of the goal. Some neat play involving Lalkovic during the build up.

The visitors looked to get back into the game and were denied by a late Downing challenge, the defender doing very well to get the ball away.

The hosts also saw a Nyatanga header hit the bar from a Scowen corner, Barnsley continued to push up high and force the Saddlers back.

With seventy minutes gone, Walsall doubled their lead, former Barnsley midfielder Milan Lalkovic, who was found by a Romaine Sawyers pass, doing very well to get across his marker and fire the ball past the goalkeeper.

Walsall went on to have a good spell both on and off the ball, frustrating the hosts into rushing when they had the ball, and keeping it well themselves.

The hosts soon made their third and final change of the game as Conor Wilkinson replaced Michael Smith. Walsall also followed up with a swap of their own as Kieron Morris replaced Anthony Forde.

Walsall continued to do well to quell the opposition, MacGillivray also grasping the ball from a soft Winnall header, the host becoming increasingly desperate.

The hosts did continue to be a threat, as Matt Preston cleared for a corner, Adam Chambers dealt well with the flag-kick.

Dean Smith went on to make a double change, as Jordan Cook and Reece Flanagan replaced Milan Lalkovic and George evans, fresh legs for the men in blue.

With under seven minutes of the game remaining the Saddlers looked to grab another goal as Tom Bradshaw did well to force another save, Townsend saving with his legs.

Four minutes of added time were awarded, Walsall finished the match with ten men as Rico Henry looked to have collected a foot injury, an opposition player landing on his left boot following an aerial challenge.

The hosts were largely unable to force the play with the clock ticking down, as Walsall remained patient in front of both goals, a solid win for the depleted Saddlers.

SKY BET LEAGUE 1 - RESULT
BARNSLEY 0-2 WALSALL
GOALS | Evans (62'), Lalkovic (70')
ATTENDANCE | 8,561 | (215 Walsall)
REFEREE | Mr. Scott DUNCAN | Northumberland
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