Walsall made their way to the Gateshead International Stadium on Sunday afternoon as they took on National League side Gateshead in the Second Round of the Emirates FA Cup.Gateshead began the game brightly, winning a free-kick on the edge of the area, just two minutes into the contest, but David Ferguson was unable to make use of it, as he failed to beat the wall.
Walsall created the first real chance on goal, three minutes later, Daniel Kanu picked his way through the Gateshead defence to create space for himself, but his effort from the edge of the area was comfortably met by shot-stopper, Tiernan Brooks.
The Saddlers continued to press, going close again in the seventh minute, as Ryan Finnigan crossed the ball in to Jamille Matt, for what should have been a simple tap in at the back post, but the striker was unable to convert.
The home side soon had the ball up at the other end, where they won a corner as Connor Barrett turned the ball behind. Nothing would come of the flag-kick, however, as Walsall 'keeper, Myles Roberts, gathered.
Walsall won a free-kick in a promising position, in the twelfth minute, as Courtney Clarke was fouled by Fenton John, but nothing would come of the opportunity as Evan Weir effort sailed wide.
Gateshead won a corner in the sixteenth minute, as Aden Flint turned wide after some good work from Kian Pennant to get the ball into the Walsall half, but nothing would come of the flag-kick, as the Saddlers won the ball.
The Saddlers could have taken the lead in the eighteenth minute, as Weir crossed the ball in from another free-kick, for Flint, who headed goal-wards but failed to find the target, sending the ball high and wide of the target.
With twenty-four minutes on the clock, Walsall were awarded a penalty, as Finnigan was pushed over inside the area by Kenton Richardson. On-loan Addick Kanu stepped forth to take the spot-kick, and duly converted, to put his side ahead.
The hosts set about seeking a way back into the game, winning a corner for their troubles in the thirtieth minute, but nothing would come of the set-piece, as the Saddlers defended well.
Things settled a little as play continued, with the heavy rain proving a factor, but the hosts did win a corner in the thirty-eighth minute, though nothing would come of the flag-kick, as Matt headed the ball in clear.
The hosts continued to see much of the ball, but Walsall could have extended their lead in the forty-second minute, as Barrett fired an effort in on goal, but Brooks was alert to the danger and made the save at the near post.
Gateshead saw an opportunity go begging at the other end, three minutes later, as Kian Pennant fired goal-wards from thirty-five yards out, but his effort sailed harmlessly wide of the target.
One additional minute was added to end the first-half, during which time David Ferguson saw his name taken by the referee, as he was cautioned following a foul on Finnigan.
There was little further action of note, and the sides headed off to enjoy a few minutes of respite from the rain, with Walsall leading by one-goal-to-nil.
The teams returned unchanged after the break, and Walsall got the second-half underway, though play was paused just one minute later, allowing Jid Okeke to receive attention from the Walsall medical team.
Whilst that treatment continued off the pitch, Walsall doubled their advantage as the free-kick awarded for the incident that injured Okeke, was played into the box by Weir, for Flint who fired home from close range.
Jid Okeke was eventually able to rejoin the action, but it was soon determined that he would be unable to see out the rest of the game, and he was replaced by Vincent Harper, in the fifty-second minute.
Walsall could have put the game to bed in the fifty-sixth minute, as Barrett raced down the wing, before passing the ball through for Kanu, who carried it forwards and fired goal-wards, forcing a fine save from Brooks, with the resulting corner seeing another save from the Gateshead 'keeper, who positioned himself well to keep the inswinging ball out.
Gateshead chose to make a double change to their line-up, in the sixty-first minute, with Kyle Hurst and Curtis Edwards making way for Dominic Telford and Frank Nouble.
Two minutes later, the Saddlers also opted to make a double substitution, with Jamille Matt and Ryan Finnigan departing as Albert Adomah and Jamie Jellis joined the fray.
Courtney Clarke was shown the yellow card for time wasting, in the sixty-ninth minute.
Gateshead looked to pull a goal back, moments later, as Nouble headed the ball on for John, but the midfielders effort from outside the area was easily saved by Roberts.
Brandon Comley joined those already listed in the referee's notebook, in the seventy-first minute, as he was cautioned for dissent.
The Walsall bench opted to make another double change, in the seventy-third minute, with Courtney Clarke and Daniel Kanu making way for Charlie Lakin and Kemar Roofe.
The hosts also took the opportunity to introduce more fresh legs into the game, as Josh Home and Ben Williams saw their places taken by Tyrelle Newton and Ibrahim Bakare.
The Saddlers could have put the game to bed, fifteen minutes from time, as Roofe spotted Brooks off his line, but his long range strike sailed harmlessly out of play.
The visiting side continued to press, with Jellis firing goal-wards from the edge of the area, moments later, but his effort sailed narrowly wide.
Walsall could have added a third, in the eighty-second minute, as Lakin crossed the ball in for Roofe, but his effort was denied by Brooks, with the resulting corner coming to nothing.
Evan Weir joined those playing on a caution, in the eighty-fourth minute, as he was shown the yellow card for time wasting, despite not appearing to be doing so.
The hosts won a corner, in the eighty-ninth minute, as Flint blocked a Telford effort from the edge of the area, but nothing would come of the flag-kick.
As we reached the ninetieth minute, the Gateshead bench opted to make their final change of the afternoon, with Kenton Richardson making way for Jacob Butterfield.
Six additional minutes were added to end the match, during which time, Lakin saw an effort from the centre of the box miss the target. There was little further action of note after that, and the game was brought to its conclusion, with Walsall winning by two-goals-to-nil, to secure their place in the Third Round of the FA Cup.
| KANU [P] (25') FLINT (49') |
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| AT | GATESHEAD INTERNATIONAL STADIUM |
| REFEREE | JAMES OLDHAM |