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- 23 May 2000
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Walsall Match Reports
A good win over a decent team despite our plans being severely hindered by injuries to Bidwell and Grigg and then losing McAleney with what seems to be a broken leg
We looked lopsided without him and will really miss his pace and eye for goal.
It looked a complete accident after a block tackle as he went to shoot after shimmying inside.
We went 424 with Farid doing his best up front with Donaldson who still seemed to be hugging the touchline.
Our Midfield play in the first half was a joy to watch with excellent interchanges and Forshaw and Saville were bright and incisive with the impressive Barron and Logan in support.
The indomitable McCormack was an impassable barrier and looked everything we expected Douglas to be and more.
Forshaw hit the bar and we finally broke through with Clayton's first goal of the season, a far post header from an excellent Logan cross.
He missed an easy header just after and Button had to make a save to preserve our lead.
Walsall were neat on the ball and kept probing but they had no poke or finish and reminded me of us on one of our more frustrating days.
Butler was a bulwark as ever but for all their possession our pressing kept them at a safe distance and they rarely threatened.
Farid ran himself out after the hour and Saunders and Reeves came on to shore up the midfield.
Farid went round the keeper but his shot was hooked clear near the line and the keeper saved excellently from Donaldson - a bit better today and more like himself, and Forshaw.
Almost a sting in the tail when the clown of a referee who ridiculously booked for a great aerial challenge ignored a blatant push on Saunders and Westcarr's close range chested effort forced a really good save from the alert Button.
All in all we did well and kept our first clean sheet.
Walsall are decent and will beat or draw with may of the better teams if they can bring in a striker.
We played excellent football, changed shape a couple of times to compensate for injuries and looked a decent maturing team.
McAleney is a serious loss and we will need a further injection of pace and guile up front as well as some left sided cover but all in all a good day at the office as despite the awful conditions we still managed to find our men, play decent football and keep control of a hard game.
We looked lopsided without him and will really miss his pace and eye for goal.
It looked a complete accident after a block tackle as he went to shoot after shimmying inside.
We went 424 with Farid doing his best up front with Donaldson who still seemed to be hugging the touchline.
Our Midfield play in the first half was a joy to watch with excellent interchanges and Forshaw and Saville were bright and incisive with the impressive Barron and Logan in support.
The indomitable McCormack was an impassable barrier and looked everything we expected Douglas to be and more.
Forshaw hit the bar and we finally broke through with Clayton's first goal of the season, a far post header from an excellent Logan cross.
He missed an easy header just after and Button had to make a save to preserve our lead.
Walsall were neat on the ball and kept probing but they had no poke or finish and reminded me of us on one of our more frustrating days.
Butler was a bulwark as ever but for all their possession our pressing kept them at a safe distance and they rarely threatened.
Farid ran himself out after the hour and Saunders and Reeves came on to shore up the midfield.
Farid went round the keeper but his shot was hooked clear near the line and the keeper saved excellently from Donaldson - a bit better today and more like himself, and Forshaw.
Almost a sting in the tail when the clown of a referee who ridiculously booked for a great aerial challenge ignored a blatant push on Saunders and Westcarr's close range chested effort forced a really good save from the alert Button.
All in all we did well and kept our first clean sheet.
Walsall are decent and will beat or draw with may of the better teams if they can bring in a striker.
We played excellent football, changed shape a couple of times to compensate for injuries and looked a decent maturing team.
McAleney is a serious loss and we will need a further injection of pace and guile up front as well as some left sided cover but all in all a good day at the office as despite the awful conditions we still managed to find our men, play decent football and keep control of a hard game.
