Sadlad's away day reviews Brighton 2009/10

Walsall

In the early exhanges Till floated a ball over which Parkin couldn't quite connect with and shortly after Jones put a header wide from another Till cross. It was all Walsall early on and it was good to see that six out of the seven summer signings on show seemed to gel together on the same wavelength and on this showing it seems that wing play which has been missing in recent seasons is set to return.

On the half hour mark Saddlers were rewarded for their efforts with a shocking own goal from former Walsall target Andrew Whing who whilst trying to guide a header out of play to safety planted a header right into the corner of the net. Troy Deeney was a couple of yards away but there was no challenge on the full back and it was a bit of a howler. It sent the 381 travelling supporters wild who were basking in the sun.

Walsall had to wait till the 37th minute for their first corner and from a further flag-kick three minutes later Mattis header just over. So at half time Walsall looked well worth their lead and the wing play and Parkin who put himself about a lot the Brighton defence had been given the run around.

The home side made one half time change with the vastly-experienced Nicky Forster introduced at the expense of Thornhill. The opening few minutes saw Saddlers continue where they left off but after ten or so minutes Brighton began to up their game and worryingly for the visitors were starting to have a lot more of the play and Hutchings sent on Richard Taundry for Jones who had done such good work on the wing. Then Alex Nicholls for the hard working Deeney who went off to a good ovation from the Walsall suporters for his hard work put in.

There was one heart-stopping moment when a home forward went down in the box from a Rhys Weston challenge but the referee was right up with play and gave a corner much to the anger of the home fans who were calling for the spot kick.

A few minutes later another Walsall substitution was made as the lively Till gave way for Mark Bradley. By now Brighton were having nearly all the play and the defence, superbly marshalled by the impressive Mark Hughes, had to dig deep to keep the ball away from danger.Brighton were pressing hard and ex-Saddler Mark Wright had one chance but shot at Clayton Ince.

Brighton forced a series of late corners, including a few in the four minutes of time added on and Ince had to be alert but Walsall hung on and it was just the sort of start Chris Hutchings wanted and he made a point of coming over to the Walsall fans to thank them for their support as thery were chanting his name as the players trooped off the field.

A good team effort this,everyone contributing to the win, Hughesy was my man of the match, constantly talking to his men and doing everything right himself. He has already formed a useful partnership with Manny Smith and the whole defence looked solid.Jamie Vincent;was composed and assured and with Steve Roberts making good progress it is looking good at the back. One down then, forty five to go.