Sadlad's away day review - Norwich City

Last updated : 06 September 2009 By Andy Van Hagen
Saddlers faced a daunting task at Carrow Road and Norwich soon showed
their attacking intentions by forcing two corners in the first two minutes and there was danger in the 4th minute as Manny Smith conceded a foul on striker Grant Holt but the young defender redeemed himself with a clearance from the free kick.

Walsall's first shot came in the 12th minute through Darren Byfield and then
a minute later the visitors won a corner. More pressure in the 14th minute as as Smith heads just over following a cross from Jamie Vincent. Three minutes later in this spell of pressure by Saddlers the hard-working Byfield sent over a cross which was saved by the home keeper Fraser Forster.

Norwich were then getting back in the game however Walsall were not content to just soak up pressure and Troy Deeney tried a shot on 22 mins that went over the bar then six minutes later the forward had a shot blocked.The final third of the first half saw the impressive Clayton Mc Donald make three vital tackles to ensure the visitors went into half time on level terms.

After the restart Peter Till sent over a cross which was over hit and soon after that Manny Smith made a clearance from a Jamie Cureton cross and on 49 minutes Matt Richards sent Byfield through but the striker snatched at it and in fact the attempt went out for a throw in! On 54 minutes Till whipped over anexcellent ball aiming for Deeney but the covering defender just got a head to it first.

Another vital clearance by the outstanding Mc Donald followed a minute later and now Walsall were under the cosh as the home side forced three further corners in as many minutes but the home side and their fans were getting a little fustrated as they couldn't get the breakthough they craved.They made a double sustitution on 64 mins to try and change things.

Byfield made a telling cross that was cleared however soon after Norwich did get the ball in the net but the attempt was ruled out due to a bit of pushing. Sam Parkin came on for the hard-working Deeney who had take a bit of a knock a couple of minutes before.10 minutes after that Alex Nicholls replaced Byfield who left the pitch to a good reception from the travelling fans.Walsall were knocking the ball around a bit in the closing stages in an attempt to keep possession and it was a relief when the final whistle went. It would have been a shame not to have kept a clean sheet. So another clean sheet but another game without finding the net. Many doubted Walsall would come away with anything from this game but they fully deserved this point and can head for Tranmere next Saturday with a bit more belief...and hopefully find the net!