Walsall played host to Chesterfield on Saturday afternoon as they looked to add to their recent spell of form by securing three more potentially crucial points.Walsall got the game underway, and it was the hosts who enjoyed the brighter start, seeing much of the early ball and winning the first corner of the game just two minutes in, though it would come to nothing, as Aden Flint turned Ryan Finnigan's ball in wide.
The Saddlers continued to press, winning a second corner in the fourth minute, as Chey Dunkley turned the ball out of play, though nothing would come of the opportunity as the Chesterfield defences stood firm.
Walsall felt they should have been awarded a penalty, in the sixth minute, as Flint appeared to be pulled down inside the box during another set-piece. The referee was unmoved though, and waved play on.
Things settled a little after that, with Chesterfield beginning to see more of the ball, though they were unable to create anything to trouble the Walsall defences early on.
Armando Dobra became the first player to draw the attentions of the referee, as he was shown the yellow card, in the eighteenth minute.
Walsall won their fourth corner of the game, in the twentieth minute, as Lewis Gordon turned the ball behind. Evan Weir crossed the ball into the box from the flag-kick, but Gordon was on hand to clear. The Saddlers were quick to work the ball back into the danger zone, but Harrison Burke headed over.
Chesterfield were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position, in the twenty-seventh minute, as Dobra was fouled by Connor Barrett, however, nothing would come of the set-piece, as Ronan Darcy's ball in sailed wide.
Walsall were quick to work the ball back up to the other end, winning another corner as former Saddler, Ryan Stirk turned the ball behind. The ball in by Weir found Charlie Lakin, but his downward header sailed wide.
There was a brief halt to proceedings in the aftermath whilst the Chesterfield medical team attended to Dobra, who was soon back on his feet, allowing play to resume.
Chesterfield looked to open the scoring, in the thirty-fourth minute, as Gordon broke down the wing before crossing a low ball in, but Weir was on hand to clear the danger.
The visiting side continued to enjoy a bright spell of play, keeping the pressure on the Saddlers defences.
Lewis Warrington became the second player to receive a caution from the referee, as he was shown the yellow card in the thirty-ninth minute, following a foul on Dunkley.
With forty-three minutes on the clock, and somewhat against the run of play, the Saddlers found the breakthrough. Daniel Kanu doing all the work as he took the ball from the foot of his marker and raced goal-wards before slotting home into the bottom corner to secure his first goal in a Walsall shirt.
Charlie Lakin joined those playing on a caution, in the forty-fifth minute, as was shown the yellow card following a foul on Vontae Daley-Campbell.
Three additional minutes were added to end the first-half, during which time Tom Naylor became the fourth player to be shown the yellow card, as he was booked for dissent.
That would prove to be the final real action of note, as the first-half was brought to its end with Walsall leading by one-goal-to-nil at the break.
The teams returned unchanged after the break, and Chesterfield got the action back underway.
Walsall began the second-half brightly, and could have extended their lead just three minutes after the restart, as Aaron Pressley picked out Lakin in space, with the midfielder drawing a fine save from Spireites 'keeper, Zac Hemming.
The game settled into something of a midfield battle as it continued, with both sides enjoying spells with the ball, without creating much to trouble their opposition defences.
Chesterfield could have levelled the scores, in the fifty-seventh minute, as Dilan Markanday created space and curled an effort goal-wards, but his strike sailed high and wide of the target.
Connor Barrett joined those already playing on a caution, in the sixty-first minute, following a foul on Lee Bonis. There was a brief halt to proceedings, allowing the injured player to receive attention from the Chesterfield medical team, but he was soon able to rejoin the fray, with the resulting free-kick coming to nothing as Dunkley headed over. Chesterfield coach, Gary Roberts was also shown the yellow card, following the fall-out.
Walsall chose to make their first two changes of the afternoon in the sixty-fourth minute, with Lewis Warrington and Ryan Finnigan making way for Courtney Clarke and Brandon Comley.
Just two minutes after that, Walsall were reduced to ten men, as Charlie Lakin was shown a second yellow card following a foul on Naylor.
Vontae Daley-Campbell was shown the yellow card in the seventy-second minute, following a foul on Vincent Harper.
Chesterfield opted to make a triple change to their line-up, in the seventy-third minute, with Ronan Darcy, Lewis Gordon and Vontae Daley-Campbell making way for Will Grigg, Adam Lewis and Devan Tanton.
Three minutes later, the Saddlers opted to make their third substitution of the game, as Aaron Pressley made way for Jid Okeke.
Chesterfield won a corner, in the seventy-eighth minute, as Flint deflected a Markanday effort wide. Nothing would come of the flag-kick, however, as Grigg turned the ball in wide.
With eighty-two minutes on the clock, Walsall chose to make their fourth and final substitution of the game, with Daniel Kanu departing in favour of Albert Adomah.
There was a brief pause in play, seven minutes from time, allowing Walsall shot-stopper, Myles Roberts to receive attention from the Walsall medics. It was soon determined he would be fine to continue.
The Spireites took the opportunity to make their final two changes of the afternoon, with Dilan Markanday and Lee Bonis seeing their places taken by Liam Mandeville and Will Dickson.
Chey Dunkley saw his name added to the referee's notebook, in the eighty-sixth minute, as he was booked following a foul on Harper.
Six additional minutes were added to end the match. Chesterfield could have levelled the scores, two minutes into those added, as Stirk crossed the ball in for Dobra, but the winger headed inches wide of Roberts upright, although the 'keeper looked to have it covered.
The Spireites went close again, in the final of the six added minutes, as Tanton crossed a promising ball onto the head of Dunkley, who headed over from close range, when he probably should have scored.
That would prove to be the final action of note, and the referee called time on the contest, with ten-man Walsall winning by one-goal-to-nil, as their defences stood firm to the last.
| KANU (43') | |
| AT | BESCOT STADIUM |
| REFEREE | ZAC KENNARD-KETTLE |