Walsall were back in League Two action on Tuesday evening as they welcomed Oldham Athletic to the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium as the Saddlers looked to maintain their unbeaten start to the league campaign.Walsall began the match brightly, winning a corner just two minutes into the contest as former Saddler, Donervon Daniels turned an early effort behind, though nothing would come of the flag-kick as a foul saw Oldham awarded the free-kick.
The game settled into something of a midfield battle after that, with both sides enjoying spells on the ball without creating anything of note.
Tai Sodje became the first player to see yellow, just nine minutes in, as he was cautioned for dissent after kicking the ball away.
Walsall won a free-kick in a dangerous position, just outside the area, in the twelfth minute, as Kane Drummond was penalised for a foul on James Furlong, however, they were unable to make it count as Courtney Clarke's strike sailed harmlessly over the crossbar.
The hosts continued to press, winning a corner in the thirteenth minute, as another former Saddler, in the form of Manny Monthé, turned the ball behind. Nothing would come of the opportunity though as Oldham eventually cleared the danger.
Things settled a little again after that, but eighteen minutes in, the Saddlers worked the ball back into the box, through Clarke, where Aaron Pressley was waiting to fire goal-wards, but Oldham 'keeper, Mathew Hudson was on hand to endure his effort would not find the target.
Charlie Crew became the second player to see his name added to the referee's notebook, as he was cautioned in the twentieth minute following a foul on Favour Fawunmi.
Walsall shot-stopper, Jed Ward soon found himself in possession, playing the ball forwards for Sodje, who raced forwards, into the Oldham box before firing home into the bottom corner to put his side ahead, just twenty-one minutes into the contest.
The visiting side set about looking for an equaliser, with Fawunmi drawing a good save from Ward, in the twenty-third minute, with an effort from a difficult angle.
The hosts won a free-kick at the other end moments later, from which Isaac Moore looked to find the target, but sent his effort high and wide.
With twenty-six minutes on the clock, Walsall doubled their advantage, as Declan Skura brought the ball down before played it delightfully through for Aaron Pressley, who fired home into the top corner.
Oldham set out to grab a goal back, with Keenan Appiah-Forson crossing the ball into the box for Calum Kavanagh, in the twenty-eighth minute, but his effort on goal sailed narrowly over the crossbar.
Lewis Simper became the third Saddler booked, in the thirty-second minute, as he was cautioned following a foul on Jamie Robson.
Walsall won another corner, in the thirty-fourth minute, as Will Sutton put the ball behind, though nothing would come of it as Hudson punched clear.
Oldham began to enjoy a brighter spell after that, with Tom Pett seeing an effort on goal blocked in the thirty-seventh minute, before he saw another shot sail wide.
Jamie Robson joined those playing on a caution, in the fortieth minute, as he was shown the yellow card following a foul on Simper.
Walsall were looking for a third, with Simper seeing an effort blocked in the forty-second minute, shortly before Clarke fired high and wide.
One additional minute was added to end the first-half, during which time, Sodje fired an effort high and wide of the target.
That would prove to be the final action of note, and the sides headed off to enjoy their half-time refreshments with Walsall leading by two-goals-to-nil.
The game settled into something of a midfield battle after that, with both sides enjoying spells on the ball without creating anything of note.
Tai Sodje became the first player to see yellow, just nine minutes in, as he was cautioned for dissent after kicking the ball away.
Walsall won a free-kick in a dangerous position, just outside the area, in the twelfth minute, as Kane Drummond was penalised for a foul on James Furlong, however, they were unable to make it count as Courtney Clarke's strike sailed harmlessly over the crossbar.
The hosts continued to press, winning a corner in the thirteenth minute, as another former Saddler, in the form of Manny Monthé, turned the ball behind. Nothing would come of the opportunity though as Oldham eventually cleared the danger.
Things settled a little again after that, but eighteen minutes in, the Saddlers worked the ball back into the box, through Clarke, where Aaron Pressley was waiting to fire goal-wards, but Oldham 'keeper, Mathew Hudson was on hand to endure his effort would not find the target.
Charlie Crew became the second player to see his name added to the referee's notebook, as he was cautioned in the twentieth minute following a foul on Favour Fawunmi.
Walsall shot-stopper, Jed Ward soon found himself in possession, playing the ball forwards for Sodje, who raced forwards, into the Oldham box before firing home into the bottom corner to put his side ahead, just twenty-one minutes into the contest.
The visiting side set about looking for an equaliser, with Fawunmi drawing a good save from Ward, in the twenty-third minute, with an effort from a difficult angle.
The hosts won a free-kick at the other end moments later, from which Isaac Moore looked to find the target, but sent his effort high and wide.
With twenty-six minutes on the clock, Walsall doubled their advantage, as Declan Skura brought the ball down before played it delightfully through for Aaron Pressley, who fired home into the top corner.
Oldham set out to grab a goal back, with Keenan Appiah-Forson crossing the ball into the box for Calum Kavanagh, in the twenty-eighth minute, but his effort on goal sailed narrowly over the crossbar.
Lewis Simper became the third Saddler booked, in the thirty-second minute, as he was cautioned following a foul on Jamie Robson.
Walsall won another corner, in the thirty-fourth minute, as Will Sutton put the ball behind, though nothing would come of it as Hudson punched clear.
Oldham began to enjoy a brighter spell after that, with Tom Pett seeing an effort on goal blocked in the thirty-seventh minute, before he saw another shot sail wide.
Jamie Robson joined those playing on a caution, in the fortieth minute, as he was shown the yellow card following a foul on Simper.
Walsall were looking for a third, with Simper seeing an effort blocked in the forty-second minute, shortly before Clarke fired high and wide.
One additional minute was added to end the first-half, during which time, Sodje fired an effort high and wide of the target.
That would prove to be the final action of note, and the sides headed off to enjoy their half-time refreshments with Walsall leading by two-goals-to-nil.
HALF-TIME
| SADDLERS | 2-0 | LATICS |
The teams returned unchanged after the break, and the action got back underway. Walsall began the second-half brightly, with Crew firing an early effort goal-wards from outside the area, but his shot sailed high and wide of the target.
Oldham went close to pulling a goal back, in the forty-ninth minute, as Drummond fired goal-wards from the right of the box, but Ward was alert to the danger and made the save.
Athletic chose to make their first change of the evening in the fifty-first minute, with Tom Pett making way for Mike Fondop-Talum.
The visiting side continued to seek a goal back as play continued, with Kavanagh seeing an effort fail to find the target moments after the change was completed, before Oliver Norburn fired wide from some thirty-five yards out, moments later.
Walsall almost added a third goal to their tally for the evening, in the fifty-fourth minute, but Ahui was just unable to connect with Clarke's ball across the face of goal, and the moment passed.
The hosts continued to press, winning a corner in the fifty-seventh minute, as Sutton turned the ball behind to deny Clarke a clear shot at goal.
A handball by Fondop-Talum, inside the area, then lead to Walsall being awarded a penalty.
Before the penalty could be taken, Mathew Hudson joined those playing on a caution, as he was booked for dissent.
Once things settled, Pressley stepped forth to take the spot-kick and duly converted to put his side three-goals-to-the-good.
As we reached the hour mark, Walsall were reduced to ten men, as Elicha Ahui was shown the red card following a foul on Fawunmi.
The visiting side looked to take advantage of their man advantage, with Fawunmi seeing an effort from outside the area blocked, in the sixty-second minute, before a close range header from Robson was also blocked.
Favour Fawunmi was shown the yellow card, in the sixty-second minute, for a handball offence.
The Saddlers chose to make their first changes of the game in the sixty-third minute, with Courtney Clarke and Charlie Crew departing, as manager, Lee Grant looked to sure-up his defence, introducing Ryan Leak and Sven Sprangler in their places.
Oldham looked to pull a goal back, in the sixty-sixth minute, as Kavanagh played the ball to Drummond, but his strike from outside the box was well saved by Ward.
Walsall chose to make two further changes to their line-up, in the sixty-eighth minute, with James Furlong and Aaron Pressley departing, as Mason Hancock and Reece Smith joined the fray.
Twenty minutes from time, Oldham chose to make their second change of the evening, with Donervon Daniels making way for Gus Scott-Morriss.
Things settled a little after that, but a cross from Robson found Scott-Morriss, who headed goal-wards, in the seventy-fifth minute, but Ward was alert to the danger and ensured the ball would stay out.
Walsall opted to make their final change of the evening, in the seventy-ninth minute, as Tai Sodje was replaced by Andy Dallas.
Dallas was quick to get involved in the action, as he played the ball to Smith, in the eighty-second minute, with the winger narrowly missing the target from outside the box, shortly before seeing an effort of his own blocked.
The Saddlers won a corner four minutes from time, as a cross from Skura found Dallas, whose effort on goal was turned behind by Sutton. Nothing would come of the flag-kick.
The hosts continued to look the brighter of the two sides, with Dallas heading the ball on for Smith, in the eighty-eighth minute, though he was unable to find the target as his effort from outside the area was blocked.
Four additional minutes were added to end the match, during which time Dallas saw an effort from outside the area saved by Hudson.
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-nil. A much improved display from the Saddlers, who took their chances and defended stoically when asked.
Oldham went close to pulling a goal back, in the forty-ninth minute, as Drummond fired goal-wards from the right of the box, but Ward was alert to the danger and made the save.
Athletic chose to make their first change of the evening in the fifty-first minute, with Tom Pett making way for Mike Fondop-Talum.
The visiting side continued to seek a goal back as play continued, with Kavanagh seeing an effort fail to find the target moments after the change was completed, before Oliver Norburn fired wide from some thirty-five yards out, moments later.
Walsall almost added a third goal to their tally for the evening, in the fifty-fourth minute, but Ahui was just unable to connect with Clarke's ball across the face of goal, and the moment passed.
The hosts continued to press, winning a corner in the fifty-seventh minute, as Sutton turned the ball behind to deny Clarke a clear shot at goal.
A handball by Fondop-Talum, inside the area, then lead to Walsall being awarded a penalty.
Before the penalty could be taken, Mathew Hudson joined those playing on a caution, as he was booked for dissent.
Once things settled, Pressley stepped forth to take the spot-kick and duly converted to put his side three-goals-to-the-good.
As we reached the hour mark, Walsall were reduced to ten men, as Elicha Ahui was shown the red card following a foul on Fawunmi.
The visiting side looked to take advantage of their man advantage, with Fawunmi seeing an effort from outside the area blocked, in the sixty-second minute, before a close range header from Robson was also blocked.
Favour Fawunmi was shown the yellow card, in the sixty-second minute, for a handball offence.
The Saddlers chose to make their first changes of the game in the sixty-third minute, with Courtney Clarke and Charlie Crew departing, as manager, Lee Grant looked to sure-up his defence, introducing Ryan Leak and Sven Sprangler in their places.
Oldham looked to pull a goal back, in the sixty-sixth minute, as Kavanagh played the ball to Drummond, but his strike from outside the box was well saved by Ward.
Walsall chose to make two further changes to their line-up, in the sixty-eighth minute, with James Furlong and Aaron Pressley departing, as Mason Hancock and Reece Smith joined the fray.
Twenty minutes from time, Oldham chose to make their second change of the evening, with Donervon Daniels making way for Gus Scott-Morriss.
Things settled a little after that, but a cross from Robson found Scott-Morriss, who headed goal-wards, in the seventy-fifth minute, but Ward was alert to the danger and ensured the ball would stay out.
Walsall opted to make their final change of the evening, in the seventy-ninth minute, as Tai Sodje was replaced by Andy Dallas.
Dallas was quick to get involved in the action, as he played the ball to Smith, in the eighty-second minute, with the winger narrowly missing the target from outside the box, shortly before seeing an effort of his own blocked.
The Saddlers won a corner four minutes from time, as a cross from Skura found Dallas, whose effort on goal was turned behind by Sutton. Nothing would come of the flag-kick.
The hosts continued to look the brighter of the two sides, with Dallas heading the ball on for Smith, in the eighty-eighth minute, though he was unable to find the target as his effort from outside the area was blocked.
Four additional minutes were added to end the match, during which time Dallas saw an effort from outside the area saved by Hudson.
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-nil. A much improved display from the Saddlers, who took their chances and defended stoically when asked.
FULL-TIME
| SADDLERS | 3-0 | LATICS |
SODJE (21') PRESSLEY (26') PRESSLEY (58') [P] |
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| AT | BESCOT STADIUM |
| REFEREE | ALAN DALE |
