On Saturday afternoon, Walsall Football Club played host to Bradford City in the latest Sky Bet League 1 fixture of the season. Cory Lees was in attendance, and shares his match report below.
The Saddlers today ended Bradford's 10 game unbeaten run with a deserved 2-1 win at the Banks's stadium
The visitors had kept a clean sheet in each of their last 7 games but they were up against goal machine and heart throb, Tom Bradshaw and after the defeat against Swindon in the week of which Deano had described as the worst in his managerial career, he decided to revert back to the team that had started against Sheffield United a week ago which meant Forde and Cook dropped back to the bench to be replaced by Lalkovic and Morris.
Now Bradford have a famous fan in the name of Dynamo but even he would of been proud of the trickery that our young wizard, Rico Henry produced on 7 minutes as his dazzling run was foiled in the box by visiting centre half Rory McArdle. But on the 11th minute some crisp passing found its way to Lalkovic who's long range effort cannoned off McArdle and landed in front of Bradshaw who calmly made it 3 goals from 3 games for the Welshman by beating the visiting keeper.
Confidence was flowing now and a swift counter saw Sawyers place a superb through ball to pick out on loan George Evans but the midfielders touch was slightly too strong and aloud Ben Williams to gather. The Saddlers dominated the opening half hour and Bradford were chasing shadows at times but Phil Parkinson's side showed the threat they carry when after some neat build up play, Lee Evans curled a low strike from 25 yards which was beaten away by Etheridge. Again at this time all you could see was a Walsall win and when Paul Downing headed just over from a James O'Connor cross it seemed just a matter of time till we doubled our lead so when the half time whistle went it was a feeling of frustration that we only went in 1-0 up.
The second half started with Bradford obviously having a telling off from Parky as they created the first chance of the half, a Kyle Reid cross was headed over at the back post by Tony McMahon and it didn't end there. The Bantams were enjoying much more possession and were winning much more of the ball than they were doing in the first half and they came a whisker away from pulling level when Etheridge brilliantly pushed away a Hanson header. A minute later, Billy Knott flashed an effort wide from 20 yards.
Walsall needed to get a grip back on the game but just after the hour mark the Bantams pulled level. Another long ball forward was won in the air by Clarke who cushioned his header perfectly for Evans who fired a volley past the diving Etheridge into the bottom corner. Bradford had got their tales up at this point and it was credit to the ever resilient Saddlers who showed character to re-take the lead. An outstanding pass from Sawyers played Lalkovic in on goal and with great poise and maturity slotted home passed the on rushing Williams.
Lalkovic and well deserved man of the match Morris were replaced by Forde an Cook and with 10 minutes left on the clock Bradford substitute Mark Williams swung in a cross to the back post which McMahon side footed over from 6 yards. Bradford looked to use their areal threat and in the closing stages pumped several crosses in to the box but the mighty Saddlers held firm to hold on to all 3 points much to the annoyance of Phil Parkinson, who I'm sure directed an 'F' word towards Pistol Pete ! (I'm sure he'll clear that one up for me when Pistory take on a road trip to Shrewsbury on Tuesday night) All the best fellow Saddlers and enjoy your weekend x
The visitors had kept a clean sheet in each of their last 7 games but they were up against goal machine and heart throb, Tom Bradshaw and after the defeat against Swindon in the week of which Deano had described as the worst in his managerial career, he decided to revert back to the team that had started against Sheffield United a week ago which meant Forde and Cook dropped back to the bench to be replaced by Lalkovic and Morris.
Now Bradford have a famous fan in the name of Dynamo but even he would of been proud of the trickery that our young wizard, Rico Henry produced on 7 minutes as his dazzling run was foiled in the box by visiting centre half Rory McArdle. But on the 11th minute some crisp passing found its way to Lalkovic who's long range effort cannoned off McArdle and landed in front of Bradshaw who calmly made it 3 goals from 3 games for the Welshman by beating the visiting keeper.
Confidence was flowing now and a swift counter saw Sawyers place a superb through ball to pick out on loan George Evans but the midfielders touch was slightly too strong and aloud Ben Williams to gather. The Saddlers dominated the opening half hour and Bradford were chasing shadows at times but Phil Parkinson's side showed the threat they carry when after some neat build up play, Lee Evans curled a low strike from 25 yards which was beaten away by Etheridge. Again at this time all you could see was a Walsall win and when Paul Downing headed just over from a James O'Connor cross it seemed just a matter of time till we doubled our lead so when the half time whistle went it was a feeling of frustration that we only went in 1-0 up.
SKY BET LEAGUE 1 - HALF TIME
WALSALL 1 BRADFORD CITY 0
The second half started with Bradford obviously having a telling off from Parky as they created the first chance of the half, a Kyle Reid cross was headed over at the back post by Tony McMahon and it didn't end there. The Bantams were enjoying much more possession and were winning much more of the ball than they were doing in the first half and they came a whisker away from pulling level when Etheridge brilliantly pushed away a Hanson header. A minute later, Billy Knott flashed an effort wide from 20 yards.
Walsall needed to get a grip back on the game but just after the hour mark the Bantams pulled level. Another long ball forward was won in the air by Clarke who cushioned his header perfectly for Evans who fired a volley past the diving Etheridge into the bottom corner. Bradford had got their tales up at this point and it was credit to the ever resilient Saddlers who showed character to re-take the lead. An outstanding pass from Sawyers played Lalkovic in on goal and with great poise and maturity slotted home passed the on rushing Williams.
Lalkovic and well deserved man of the match Morris were replaced by Forde an Cook and with 10 minutes left on the clock Bradford substitute Mark Williams swung in a cross to the back post which McMahon side footed over from 6 yards. Bradford looked to use their areal threat and in the closing stages pumped several crosses in to the box but the mighty Saddlers held firm to hold on to all 3 points much to the annoyance of Phil Parkinson, who I'm sure directed an 'F' word towards Pistol Pete ! (I'm sure he'll clear that one up for me when Pistory take on a road trip to Shrewsbury on Tuesday night) All the best fellow Saddlers and enjoy your weekend x
SKY BET LEAGUE 1 - RESULT
WALSALL 2 BRADFORD CITY 1
GOALS | Bradshaw (11'), Lalkovic (73') -- L.Evans (64')ATTENDANCE | 4,668 | (913 Bradford City)
REFEREE | Mr. Mark BROWN | East Yorkshire
MOTM | Kieron MORRIS | Walsall
MOTM | Kieron MORRIS | Walsall
BY | CORY LEES | @corylees