Friendly Draw | New Deals | Dakinah | News
Last updated : 22 July 2004 By r o b
Merse fielded a blend of youth and experience away at Moor Green last night but the Saddlers were indebted to Taiwo Atieno, whose headed equaliser saved Walsall’s blushes. Darren Middleton had earlier opened the scoring on 51, deftly lobbing New Zealand keeper Mark Paston.
WALSALL: Paston; Willetts, Aranalde, Hayward, Dann (Wheeler), D. Taylor (Williams), Jameson (Bradley), Corica, Atieno (McGrath), Birch, K. Taylor. Subs not used: Coleman, Onuora, Whitney.
Two youngsters who featured last night – defender Scott Dann and striker Leroy Williams, both 17 – have impressed Merson and have been offered their first professional contracts. The Walsall boss has also offered a one year deal to Kofi Dakinah. The Dane, who can play in either central defence or at right back, has returned home but looks set to sign on a free transfer from Herfoelge.
Also lining up in Walsall red was Steve Hayward. The 32 year old former Carlisle, Fulham and Barnsley player is on trial at Walsall – his home town club. He captained Kevin Keegan’s Fulham back in 2000 but has since suffered serious injuries. Ironically, it was a tackle by Hayward which almost ended the career of Saddlers’ defender Stuart Ryder – Hayward has never been very popular with the Bescot faithful since.
