Walsall's search for a win reached its eighth game on Saturday afternoon as they made their way to the Croud Meadow and took on the in-form Shrewsbury Town at the Croud Meadow.Walsall got the action underway and won a free-kick in a promising position mere seconds into the contest, as Vincent Harper was fouled by George Lloyd, though nothing would come of the set-piece as the Shrewsbury defences were able to clear the danger.
Shrewsbury won a free-kick in a similar position at the other end just two minutes later, as Aaron Pressley fouled Kevin Berkoe. Nothing would come of that either, as a scrappy Saddlers defence managed to clear at the second time of asking.
The hosts won a corner in the third minute, which Tom Sang crossed into the box for Lloyd, whose headed effort from close range was blocked, before Taylor Perry's follow-up was cleared by Priestley Farquharson.
The Shrews continued to press, winning another free-kick in a dangerous position, in the seventh minute as Charlie Lakin fouled Lloyd. Iwan Morgan curled the set-piece in towards the top corner, but Walsall shot-stopper, Sam Hornby was able to get across to tip the ball behind, with the resulting corner, and the one which followed, coming to nothing.
Things settled a little after the frenetic start, with Walsall seeing plenty of the ball as the contest continued, without creating much to trouble the Salop defences.
There was a pause in proceedings in the twenty-fifth minute, allowing Salop 'keeper, Matthew Cox to receive attention from his side's medical team, but he was soon back on his feet and able to continue.
Walsall won a free-kick close to the half-way line, in the twenty-seventh minute, as Jamie Jellis was fouled by Sam Clucas. Evan Weir played the ball forwards, onto the head of Pressley, who nodded it on for Farquharson who found the bottom corner to open the scoring.
The Saddlers continued to press, looking to add to their tally, but Lakin's thirtieth minute effort was blocked.
Walsall defended well as play continued, conceding a corner to Shrewsbury, in the forty-first minute, as Harper turned the ball out of play, though nothing would come of that or the one which followed.
The hosts continued to press, with a long throw from Morgan causing some issues for the Walsall defences in the forty-second minute, with the ball eventually falling for Luca Hoole, whose effort on goal was blocked before Hornby gathered.
Walsall won a corner, at the other end, in the forty-third minute, from which Lakin crossed the ball into the box for Aden Flint, whose effort on goal sailed high and wide of the target.
Another break in play followed, allowing Hoole to receive some attention from the Salop medics, though he was able to return to action a short while later.
Four minutes were added to end the first-half, and three minutes into them, it was determined that Luca Hoole would be unable to see out the first-half, and Sam Stubbs was introduced in his place.
The hosts continued to seek a goal as play resumed, with Josh Ruffels forcing a fine, low save from Hornby, four minutes into those added. The side then went on to win a free-kick in a dangerous position moments later, from which Morgan fired into the bottom corner to level the scores.
That would prove to be the final action of note for the first-half, and the sides headed off to enjoy their half-time refreshments with the scores tied, while their respective managers furiously rewrote their half-time team talks.
The teams returned unchanged after the break, and Shrewsbury got the action back underway. Both side enjoyed some good spells with the ball in the early goings after the break, though neither created anything to trouble their opposition.
Walsall created the first chance of the second-half in the fifty-third minute, as Jid Okeke crossed the ball into the box for Jellis, but Cox was able to prevent the midfielders header finding the target at the second time of asking.
Things remained fairly settled as play continued, and as we reached the hour mark, Shrewsbury chose to make two further changes to their line-up, with George Lloyd and Sam Clucas making way for Trey Samuel-Ogunsuyi and Tommy McDermott.
The Saddlers could have restored their earlier lead moments after the changes were completed, as Shrewsbury failed to clear a ball into the box, allowing Jellis a shot at goal, but his powerful strike sailed narrowly over the crossbar.
Will Boyle became the first player to see yellow, as he was cautioned in the sixty-first minute, following a foul on Daniel Kanu. The resulting free-kick was crossed towards the back post by Weir, where Flint flicked on for Farquharson, who headed home to restore the Saddlers earlier advantage.
The hosts won a free-kick in a promising position, in the sixty-fourth minute, as Morgan was fouled by Brandon Comley. Former Saddler, Malvind Benning crossed the ball from the set-piece, for Boyle, whose headed effort failed to find the target.
The Shrews continued to press, with McDermott crossing the ball in for Morgan, in the sixty-seventh minute, but the striker was unable to beat Hornby from a tight angle, with the resulting corner coming to nothing.
Shrewsbury chose to make their final two changes of the afternoon, in the sixty-eighth minute, with Taylor Perry and Malvind Benning making way for Nick Freeman and Ismeal Kabia.
Walsall also took the opportunity to make their first substitution of the game, as Daniel Kanu was replaced by Albert Adomah.
The home side won a free-kick, in the seventy-fourth minute, from which Sang played the ball towards the near post for Boyle, but the defenders headed effort sailed narrowly wide.
Town continued to press, winning a corner five minutes later, as Flint turned the ball behind, but Sang's cross into the box fell to Hornby who punched clear.
The Walsall bench opted to introduce some fresh legs in the eighty-second minute, with Charlie Lakin and Aaron Pressley making way Courtney Clarke and Jamille Matt.
Sam Hornby became the second player to see yellow, in the eighty-fifth minute, as he was cautioned for time wasting.
The Saddlers kept the ball well as play continued, frustrating the Salop players as they sought to get back on level terms, though when a chance presented itself for Morgan, in the eighty-seventh minute, he was unable to take it, firing high over the crossbar from outside the area.
The visiting side won a free-kick in a dangerous position, in the eighty-ninth minute, though Weir was unable to find the target from a tight angle, as his effort sailed narrowly over.
Four additional minutes were added to end the match, though play was paused moments later, allowing Jellis to receive attention from Walsall medics. It was soon determined that he would be fine to continue, but Josh Ruffels was shown the red card for the foul which brought about the stoppage.
The hosts continued to seek a late equaliser once play resumed, but they were unable to create anything to really test the Walsall defences, with their best chance being turned wide by Morgan, and with that the referee called time on the contest, with Walsall winning by two-goals-to-one.
| MORGAN (45+6') |
FARQUHARSON (28') FARQUHARSON (62') |
| AT | CROUD MEADOW |
| REFEREE | RICHARD ELEY |