REPORT | Millwall 0 Walsall 1 REPORT | Millwall 0 Walsall 1

REPORT | Millwall 0 Walsall 1

Earlier today, Sean O'Driscoll's Walsall Football Club travelled to London as they faced Neil Harris' Millwall side in the latest Sky Bet League 1 fixture of the season. You can read our extensive match report below.
Earlier today, Sean O'Driscoll's Walsall Football Club travelled to London as they faced Neil Harris' Millwall side in the latest Sky Bet League 1 fixture of the season. You can read our extensive match report below.

Ahead of today's game, Walsall Head Coach Sean O'Driscoll decided against changing his starting XI, as Jordan Cook, who came off the bench to score a brace during last weekend's televised Sky Bet League 1 victory over Port Vale, remained on the bench.

Top scorer Tom Bradshaw, and highly-rated left-back Rico Henry were not risked with the team facing two games in forty-eight hours, as Peterborough United pay a visit to Banks's Stadium on Monday afternoon.

Neither 'keeper was tested in the opening few minutes, although on-loan George Evans did fire wide of goal as both sides looked to get the ball moving through midfield, and create openings in front of the penalty area.

Both Neil Etheridge and David Forde were alert to grasp crosses, as the Saddlers' stopper initially dropped the ball, but recovered before an attacker could pounce.

Walsall striker Milan Lalkovic was often coming deep to get the ball, as he hoped to run at the opposition defence.

As we reached the tenth minute of play Walsall saw a header from a corner saved as the Reds enjoyed much of the ball, frustrating their opponents.

The hosts did muster a shot, but the effort went wide with the Saddlers defence swarming around their man, following an early slip.

Walsall were awarded a free kick following a foul on Andy Taylor, for which he received lengthy treatment, sadly the opportunity came to nothing as the referee awarded a free kick for a soft Downing foul, Forde's ball had found its way onto Romaine Sawyers' head before the referee blew his whistle.

Millwall won their first corner of the match after seventeen minutes of play, the ball in was cleared by Demetriou for another flag kick, the second corner was cleared by the Saddlers as the scores remained level.

Walsall looked to gift their opponents an opening as a soft Taylor back-pass was cleared ahead of a charging O'Brien, Etheridge not looking too happy after the ball was cleared.

The hosts should have opened the scoring at the half-way point in the first half as Morison side-footed a cross into the sidenetting, good play from O'Brien and Onyedinma to create the opening.

Millwall continued to grow into the game as they got behind the Saddlers defence, O'Brien found himself in space and forced a save from Etheridge. The resulting corner came to nothing as Abdou forced the game to stop as he suffered a minor head injury.

As an Evans pass was too high for Milan Lalkovic, Walsall winger Jason Demetriou sent a shot over the bar following a great run into the opposition area, he had options to pass, but opted for the shot on goal.

The Saddlers opened the scoring after twenty-nine minutes of play as Milan Lalkovic did well to control a long ball, beat his man, and slot home, his marker had no chance to stop him as he continued his recent run of goals.

Walsall looked to double their lead soon after as Paul Downing found Anthony Forde with a sweet cross-field ball, sadly the former Wolves winger could only send a shot over the bar.

George Evans sent a shot over the bar following a passing exchange with Romaine Sawyers, the Saddlers looking to make the most of the space in front of goal.

With under five minutes of the half remaining, Walsall created another opening as Forde and Sawyers combined to find Lalkovic, sadly the former Chelsea man could only side-foot over the bar.

Anthony Forde saw a shot saved, and O'Brien fired wide for the hosts as Walsall lead at the break.

SKY BET LEAGUE 1 - HALF TIME
MILLWALL 0 WALSALL 1

Walsall made a change ahead of the second half as Andy Taylor was replaced by Liam Kinsella, left-back Taylor picking up a knock during the first half.

As the second half got underway, Walsall's Milan Lalkovic received the opening booking of the match as he kicked the ball away following an offside decision.

Lalkovic was involved again soon after as he sent a shot in on goal, a fortunate bounce putting the ball in the attacker's' path. A solid stop from the 'keeper.

On-loan Manchester City midfielder George Evans became the second player to be booked as he felled his man as Millwall were looking to break up field.

The hosts forced a corner as O'Brien rose to meet a Morison cross, a superb stop from the Walsall 'keeper. The flag kick came to nothing.

Liam Kinsella, who was playing down the right wing following Taylor's earlier injury, found Sawyers with a cross, sadly Romaine's effort was blocked as the hosts looked to break down field and create an opening of their own.

As the home side continued to grow into the match, and their supporters grew increasingly frustrated, they had a few nice spells of possession, and forced the Saddlers back into their own half.

With sixty-seven minutes on the clock, Walsall's George Evans had another shot on goal, his low effort easily saved.

The hosts soon made their opening change of the match as Ed Upson replaced Fred Onyedinma, a like-for-like swap by Neil Harris.

As Milan Lalkovic needlessly fouled his man, the hosts looked to get the ball into the box, but the Saddlers were alert to clear.

O'Brien fired a shot wide following a good pass by Morison, the hosts still posing a threat to the Saddlers, with plenty of time remaining.

The Saddlers made their second change of the game after seventy-two minutes as Jordan Cook replaced Kieron Morris, Cookie looking keen to get forward.

Adam Chambers was alert to the danger as he stopped O'Brien following a Morison flick. The Walsall captain was again called into action soon after as he blocked a Williams effort.

With fifteen minutes of normal time remaining, Millwall made another change as Alfie Pavey replaced Joe Martin.

The hosts won a corner following the change, but the opportunity came to nothing as Etheridge, who looked to slow the match down, gathered from a Ferguson cross.

Jordan Cook was denied by a superb sliding tackle as the Walsall attacker looked to get past his man, a deflected Sawyers pass finding him in space to start the move.

Substitute Ed Upson was next to be added to the book as he felled Milan Lalkovic, Walsall won a corner from the free kick as the defence opted to clear the danger. The corner came to nothing, but Walsall did maintain the pressure.

Neil Etheridge did well to gather a Ferguson cross ahead of Pavey, the 'keeper required a few moments to collect himself after being caught in the face by the attacker.

The hosts sought a spot kick as Abdou fell in the box, nothing was given as Upson saw a shot deflected over the bar. The resulting corner came to nothing as Walsall looked to push up field.

Millwall saw a header strike the Saddlers' cross bar as O'Brien rose the connect with the ball, he was offside during the build up as Walsall were awarded a free kick.

With Millwall looking to push high up the pitch, the Saddlers made a defensive change late into the half with Matt Preston replacing Milan Lalkovic.

As we entered six minutes of added time, the home side were awarded a free kick out on the left. Adam Chambers did well to get to the ball first and gave away a corner.

Neil Etheridge was Walsall's saviour as he saved from a Morison header, the striker getting in front of his man to guide the effort towards goal following Ferguson's cross.

The home side enjoyed much of the ball as added time continued, Walsall unable to get out of the final third, often gifting the ball back to the opposition with the pressure cranked up.

Walsall stood firm to secure the win, and rise to first place in the Sky Bet League 1 table.

SKY BET LEAGUE 1 - RESULT
MILLWALL 0 WALSALL 1
GOAL | Lalkovic (29')
REFEREE | Mr. Gavin WARD | Surrey
Got any Saddlers content you'd like to share with your fellow fans?

Off on an away day? Preparing to visit Fortress Bescot? Captured the aftermath of a Walsall goal?

Email your content to [email protected] or slide into our DMs!
Don't forget you can keep up to date with the latest Walsall FC news and views across social media, we're on 𝕏, Facebook, Threads, and Instagram. We also offer updates via Google News.
Previous Post Next Post