Walsall Last Time

It's been so long since we've won a game, I'd forgotten what it felt like. It all went wrong after 2 mins when Walsall scored, but patience, luck and a little bit of skill finally saw us win our first game in 13! Well in many Jacks eyes it was the day we've all been waiting for, Swansea winning and Cardiff losing for the first time in what seems an age. The Swans changed injured Martin Thomas for an extra striker (laughable!) Steve Watkin. Casey kept his place after a poor game at Adams Park on Saturday along with David Romo. With the lowest crowd for a Boxing Day that I can remember the atmosphere was patchy but for the most part was OK when the team was doing well. It's disappointing to have such a poor crowd but given our recent performances it's understandable why they stayed away. The game started well for the opposition with an early goal. A long clearance by Walsall troubled Jason Smith with a dodgy header back to Freestone which never made it leaving Brett Angell an easy opportunity to knock it past the defenceless Freestone. The groans on the North Bank said it all "Hear We Go Again!" But the Swans came back well as Walsall sat back and looked dangerous on the break, Ryan Casey on the left wing was given former Premiership right back Ian Brightwell a nightmare sending him either way and putting some great balls in unfortunately just avoiding Savarese and Watkin up front. Finally it paid off in the 20th minute when he put a great ball through to Romo in space on the right wing he ran to the bi-line and whipped in a great cross for Savarese to slide the ball into the net from close range. The rest of the half both sides had no clue what to do with the ball and rarely threatened either team until 5 mins from half-time, when a freekick on the right edge of the box was headed wide of the goal by Brett Angell only for it to be turned in a yard from goal by a Walsall player, fortunately the referee's assistant put his flag up for offside. This was a carbon copy of Wycombe's first alleged goal on Saturday, this just went on to prove that the crappie luck we've been having of late was about to change. A typical Hollins pep talk at half time sent the players to sleep again at the beginning of the second half as Walsall pushed hard to get their lead back early. Price was having a complete nightmare as everything he did turned into a cockup, Hollins threatened to bring on Roberts as a sub to replace him twice but was thwarted from doing so by the two winning goals. On 56 mins a freekick from the left was headed tamely into a high loop by Steve Jones from the right hand corner of the box towards goal, Watkin and his marker both rushed to meet the ball with Walker Walsall's keeper in hot pursuit also. Watkin got there first but flapped and kicked air, throwing the keeper's concentration and the ball softly bounced across the line! The North Bank went mad as it was the first time we'd been a goal to the good in such a long time. Even Steve Jones couldn't believe his tame header had gone in. Our luck had finally changed to the good, along with Bound and Smith coming back into the form of old in the second half. They single handly kept Walsall at bay all half. Cusack was finally living upto his role as captain shouting commands and organising set pieces like he should have been doing all season. The win was complete on 76 mins when a good ball from Romo evaded all the defenders and left Steve Watkin at the back post easy header from 5 yards. Walsall had largely given up the ghost now and the win was surely ours for the taking, until on 90 mins a great ball from Walsall midfielder Pedro Matias (Where's your caravan!) sent Tom Bennett through on the left hand side of the area, Steve Jones went for the ball fairly but brought him down from behind and the penalty was given, all the people behind me were cursing saying that their luck had changed again. But it was a penalty and a fair decision not to book Jones who had had a great game today. Only Roger could save the final onslaught if they scored. But a poor penalty just left of centre was palmed away brilliantly by Wales' No.1 Roger Freestone and the shouts of joy and songs for Roger were brilliant like something out of "Lord Of the Rings"! The game was won, we slightly edged it but luck had finally turned our way after it's absence for 2 months. My smile is as large as the North Bank this evening!

Photo: Action Images

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