Attention returned to League Two on Saturday afternoon as the Saddlers welcomed Accrington Stanley to the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium where Lee Grant's side was looking to maintain its unbeaten start to the campaign.Accrington Stanley began the game brightly, creating the first chance on goal just two minutes into the contest, as Josh Woods crossed the ball to Devon Matthews, whose strike from the edge of the area sailed over the crossbar.
Walsall were quick to work the ball up to the other end, where a low ball into the box from Mason Hancock found Tai Sodje, whose effort on goal called Stanley 'keeper, Louie Moulden into action.
With six minutes on the clock, Accrington found themselves in shooting range again, as Charlie Caton played the ball through for Woods, but the striker was unable to find the target, sending the ball high and wide from distance.
The Saddlers fared better two minutes later, however, as Courtney Clarke beat his man and crossed to Rico Browne, who in turn found Aaron Pressley, whose effort on goal was saved by Moulden, but Reece Smith turned home the rebound to open the scoring.
Things settled just a little after that, but four minutes after the Saddlers took the lead, Accrington levelled, as Alex Henderson played the ball in from a free-kick, with Walsall shot-stopper, Jed Ward, pushing the initial effort clear, before Woods fired home the rebound from close range.
The hosts soon had the ball back at the other end, as they set about looking to restore their earlier lead, but Hancock was unable to turn Sven Sprangler's ball in home, as he fired over the crossbar, moments before Sodje crossed the ball in for Smith, who also missed the target.
There was a pause in proceedings in the seventeenth minute, allowing Isaac Moore to receive attention from the Walsall medics, following a clash of heads with Woods. Fortunately, he was determined to be okay to continue, and play got back underway.
The game settled into something of a midfield battle following the break in play, with both sides enjoying spells on the ball without creating anything to trouble their opposition defences.
Walsall won the first corner of the match, in the twenty-eighth minute, as Donald Love turned the ball behind, but nothing would come of the set-piece as Stanley came away with the ball.
As we reached the half hour mark, the Saddlers found themselves in shooting position, as Clarke crossed the ball into the area for Smith, but the number eleven was unable to find the target, sending the ball narrowly wide of the upright.
At the other end, two minutes later, the visiting side could have taken the lead, but Love's cross into the box could not be converted by Caton, whose headed effort whistled wide. Accrington went close again four minutes later, as Shaun Walley got past Browne and cut inside, but he was unable to convert as his effort sailed narrowly wide of the upright.
Walsall were quick to work the ball back into the danger zone at the other end, as Smith crossed in for Sodje, but the number seven was unable to keep his headed effort on target, sending the ball narrowly wide.
The Saddlers won a corner, in the forty-fifth minute, as Woods blocked an effort from Sprangler. The flag-kick was played in by Hancock for Declan Skura, whose header from close range sailed narrowly over the crossbar.
Six additional minutes were added to end the first-half, and five minutes into them, the Saddlers won a corner as Farrend Rawson blocked a Skura header behind. Hancock swung the ball into the box from the flag-kick, for Harrison Burke, who was well positioned to head home from the centre of the box to restore the hosts earlier lead.
That would prove to be the final action of note, with the managers furiously rethinking their half-time team talks, as the Saddlers took a two-goals-to-one lead into the break.
Walsall were quick to work the ball up to the other end, where a low ball into the box from Mason Hancock found Tai Sodje, whose effort on goal called Stanley 'keeper, Louie Moulden into action.
With six minutes on the clock, Accrington found themselves in shooting range again, as Charlie Caton played the ball through for Woods, but the striker was unable to find the target, sending the ball high and wide from distance.
The Saddlers fared better two minutes later, however, as Courtney Clarke beat his man and crossed to Rico Browne, who in turn found Aaron Pressley, whose effort on goal was saved by Moulden, but Reece Smith turned home the rebound to open the scoring.
Things settled just a little after that, but four minutes after the Saddlers took the lead, Accrington levelled, as Alex Henderson played the ball in from a free-kick, with Walsall shot-stopper, Jed Ward, pushing the initial effort clear, before Woods fired home the rebound from close range.
The hosts soon had the ball back at the other end, as they set about looking to restore their earlier lead, but Hancock was unable to turn Sven Sprangler's ball in home, as he fired over the crossbar, moments before Sodje crossed the ball in for Smith, who also missed the target.
There was a pause in proceedings in the seventeenth minute, allowing Isaac Moore to receive attention from the Walsall medics, following a clash of heads with Woods. Fortunately, he was determined to be okay to continue, and play got back underway.
The game settled into something of a midfield battle following the break in play, with both sides enjoying spells on the ball without creating anything to trouble their opposition defences.
Walsall won the first corner of the match, in the twenty-eighth minute, as Donald Love turned the ball behind, but nothing would come of the set-piece as Stanley came away with the ball.
As we reached the half hour mark, the Saddlers found themselves in shooting position, as Clarke crossed the ball into the area for Smith, but the number eleven was unable to find the target, sending the ball narrowly wide of the upright.
At the other end, two minutes later, the visiting side could have taken the lead, but Love's cross into the box could not be converted by Caton, whose headed effort whistled wide. Accrington went close again four minutes later, as Shaun Walley got past Browne and cut inside, but he was unable to convert as his effort sailed narrowly wide of the upright.
Walsall were quick to work the ball back into the danger zone at the other end, as Smith crossed in for Sodje, but the number seven was unable to keep his headed effort on target, sending the ball narrowly wide.
The Saddlers won a corner, in the forty-fifth minute, as Woods blocked an effort from Sprangler. The flag-kick was played in by Hancock for Declan Skura, whose header from close range sailed narrowly over the crossbar.
Six additional minutes were added to end the first-half, and five minutes into them, the Saddlers won a corner as Farrend Rawson blocked a Skura header behind. Hancock swung the ball into the box from the flag-kick, for Harrison Burke, who was well positioned to head home from the centre of the box to restore the hosts earlier lead.
That would prove to be the final action of note, with the managers furiously rethinking their half-time team talks, as the Saddlers took a two-goals-to-one lead into the break.
HALF-TIME
| WALSALL | 2-1 | STANLEY |
Walsall chose to make a change to their line-up as the teams returned, with Rico Browne sitting out the second-half, as Elicha Ahui took his place.
Accrington began the second period brightly, winning a corner just two minutes after the restart, as Skura turned the ball behind, however, nothing would come of the flag-kick.
Sven Sprangler became the first player to see yellow, as he was cautioned following a foul on Whalley in the forty-ninth minute.
The visiting side could have levelled the scores five minutes into the second-half, but Woods strike from outside the box was blocked.
Walsall made Stanley's task that little bit harder in the fifty-third minute, as a break down the left lead to Smith crossing the ball into the box for Pressley, who nodded home to double the Saddlers advantage.
Accrington responded to the Walsall goal by making a triple substitution in the fifty-fifth minute, as Séamus Conneely, Alex Henderson and Shaun Whalley made way for Liam Coyle, Stefan Mols and Tyler Walton.
The changes proved to be inspired, as just two minutes after they were introduced, Walton combined with Mols to see the later pull a goal back for their side.
Five minutes after his introduction into the game, Liam Coyle became the second player to see yellow, as he was cautioned following an off-the-ball incident with Sodje.
There was a brief pause in proceedings in the sixty-third minute, allowing Joe Anderson to receive some attention from the Accrington medical team. It was soon determined he would fine to continue, and play resumed.
The game settled into something of a midfield battle again as play continued, with both sides enjoying time on the ball, without creating anything of note.
With seventy-three minutes on the clock, the Walsall bench chose to make two further changes to their line-up, with Courtney Clarke and Tai Sodje making way for Lewis Simper and Andy Dallas.
Tyler Walton became the third player to see their name taken by the referee, as he was shown the yellow card for a seventy-fifth minute foul on Isaac Moore, who was then cautioned himself for his reaction to the incident.
There was another brief halt to proceedings in the seventy-seventh minute, allowing Tom Moore to receive attention for an injury. It was soon determined that he would be unable to continue, and David Tutonda was introduced in his place.
Declan Skura joined the growing ranks playing on a caution in the seventy-ninth minute, as he was shown the yellow card following a foul on Caton.
Ten minutes from time, the visitors could have levelled the scores, as Tutonda played the ball to Joe Anderson, but his strike from outside the box was well saved by Ward.
Two Accrington corners followed, as Skura and Hancock put the ball out of play, but the visiting side were unable to make either count.
Stanley continued to press, as they sought to draw level with their hosts, but Ward remained alert to the danger and did well to deny Woods from outside the area in the eighty-third minute.
With eighty-six minutes on the clock, the hosts chose to make their fourth change of the afternoon, with Reece Smith departing in favour of Albert Adomah.
Eight additional minutes were added to end the match, one minute into which, Elicha Ahui joined those playing on a caution, as he was shown the yellow card following a foul on Tutonda.
Three minutes into added time, Walsall chose to make their fifth and final change of the game, as Isaac Moore made way for Charlie Crew.
The visiting side could have levelled the scores moments after the change was completed, as Coyle crossed to Caton, but his strike from outside the area sailed narrowly over the crossbar.
Stanley continued to press, as they sought to get back on level terms, with Love crossing the ball onto the head of Caton, six minutes into time added, but the striker was unable to find the target as he glanced the ball wide.
That would prove to be the final action of note, and the game was brought to its conclusion with Walsall winning by three-goals-to-two. A good result for the Saddlers, who held off their visitors well to secure all three points.
Accrington began the second period brightly, winning a corner just two minutes after the restart, as Skura turned the ball behind, however, nothing would come of the flag-kick.
Sven Sprangler became the first player to see yellow, as he was cautioned following a foul on Whalley in the forty-ninth minute.
The visiting side could have levelled the scores five minutes into the second-half, but Woods strike from outside the box was blocked.
Walsall made Stanley's task that little bit harder in the fifty-third minute, as a break down the left lead to Smith crossing the ball into the box for Pressley, who nodded home to double the Saddlers advantage.
Accrington responded to the Walsall goal by making a triple substitution in the fifty-fifth minute, as Séamus Conneely, Alex Henderson and Shaun Whalley made way for Liam Coyle, Stefan Mols and Tyler Walton.
The changes proved to be inspired, as just two minutes after they were introduced, Walton combined with Mols to see the later pull a goal back for their side.
Five minutes after his introduction into the game, Liam Coyle became the second player to see yellow, as he was cautioned following an off-the-ball incident with Sodje.
There was a brief pause in proceedings in the sixty-third minute, allowing Joe Anderson to receive some attention from the Accrington medical team. It was soon determined he would fine to continue, and play resumed.
The game settled into something of a midfield battle again as play continued, with both sides enjoying time on the ball, without creating anything of note.
With seventy-three minutes on the clock, the Walsall bench chose to make two further changes to their line-up, with Courtney Clarke and Tai Sodje making way for Lewis Simper and Andy Dallas.
Tyler Walton became the third player to see their name taken by the referee, as he was shown the yellow card for a seventy-fifth minute foul on Isaac Moore, who was then cautioned himself for his reaction to the incident.
There was another brief halt to proceedings in the seventy-seventh minute, allowing Tom Moore to receive attention for an injury. It was soon determined that he would be unable to continue, and David Tutonda was introduced in his place.
Declan Skura joined the growing ranks playing on a caution in the seventy-ninth minute, as he was shown the yellow card following a foul on Caton.
Ten minutes from time, the visitors could have levelled the scores, as Tutonda played the ball to Joe Anderson, but his strike from outside the box was well saved by Ward.
Two Accrington corners followed, as Skura and Hancock put the ball out of play, but the visiting side were unable to make either count.
Stanley continued to press, as they sought to draw level with their hosts, but Ward remained alert to the danger and did well to deny Woods from outside the area in the eighty-third minute.
With eighty-six minutes on the clock, the hosts chose to make their fourth change of the afternoon, with Reece Smith departing in favour of Albert Adomah.
Eight additional minutes were added to end the match, one minute into which, Elicha Ahui joined those playing on a caution, as he was shown the yellow card following a foul on Tutonda.
Three minutes into added time, Walsall chose to make their fifth and final change of the game, as Isaac Moore made way for Charlie Crew.
The visiting side could have levelled the scores moments after the change was completed, as Coyle crossed to Caton, but his strike from outside the area sailed narrowly over the crossbar.
Stanley continued to press, as they sought to get back on level terms, with Love crossing the ball onto the head of Caton, six minutes into time added, but the striker was unable to find the target as he glanced the ball wide.
That would prove to be the final action of note, and the game was brought to its conclusion with Walsall winning by three-goals-to-two. A good result for the Saddlers, who held off their visitors well to secure all three points.
FULL-TIME
| WALSALL | 3-2 | STANLEY |
SMITH (8') BURKE (45+6') PRESSLEY (53') |
WOODS (12') MOLS (57')
|
| AT | BESCOT STADIUM |
| REFEREE | WILLIAM DAVIS |