So far two games and two wins. Yes, Walsall have started the season in remarkable fashion. Two clean sheets and two Martin Butler goals. After only 90 minutes of the season we had seen enough to declare - We've got our Walsall back. We even had the rare delight of seeing Ian Roper score.
Next up at Bescot is Hartlepool United. After being relegated to League Two along with Walsall last season, Hartlepool have been forced to cut back. Top goal threat Adam Boyd has recently been sold on and Darrell Clarke, Chris Llewellyn and Darren Craddock have all departed. With no new arrivals for financial reasons Hartlepool manager Danny Wilson has been enforced to make do with what he's got. Forwards Eifon Williams, Michael Proctor and Ritchie Humphreys carry the attacking threat.
To date they have recorded one defeat and one draw. On the opening day of the season they will count themselves very unlucky to have lost 1-0 at home to Swindon Town. Only the heroics of Swindon goalkeeper Petr Brezovan kept the visiting side in the game after Hartlepool dominated. Two penalty saves and hit woodwork meant that it was just not to be Hartlepool's day. On Tuesday night Hartlepool recorded a 0-0 draw away at Macclesfield Town, in-front of only 1,843 fans. This time it was the fine performance of central defensive unit Danny Swailes and David Morley who denied the dominating Hartlepool. Defender Darren Williams has been singled out for praise this week by manager Danny Wilson, who has been impressed with the ex-Sunderland centre backs displays to date this season. In the 0-0 draw with Macclesfield the teams lined up:
Last time at Bescot (17th December 2005) Walsall came out 1-0 winners when Matty Fryatt scored an 85th minute winner, being thread through by Paul Merson. Paul Merson until then had contributed nothing at all but he provided Fryatt with the right pass at the right time.
Match report:
http://www.walsall-mad.co.uk/news/loadrprt.asp?cid=MTCH&id=257002
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Next up at Bescot is Hartlepool United. After being relegated to League Two along with Walsall last season, Hartlepool have been forced to cut back. Top goal threat Adam Boyd has recently been sold on and Darrell Clarke, Chris Llewellyn and Darren Craddock have all departed. With no new arrivals for financial reasons Hartlepool manager Danny Wilson has been enforced to make do with what he's got. Forwards Eifon Williams, Michael Proctor and Ritchie Humphreys carry the attacking threat.
Hartlepool United squad details (click Season and Career for individual's stats) |
| Player name | Position | DoB | Squad | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Konstantopoulos, Dimitrios | Goal | 29 Nov 1978 | 1 | Season Career |
Barron, Michael | Defence | 22 Dec 1974 | 2 | Season Career |
Robson, Matty | Midfield | 23 Jan 1985 | 3 | Season Career |
Tinkler, Mark | Midfield | 24 Oct 1974 | 4 | Season Career |
Nelson, Michael | Midfield | 15 Mar 1982 | 5 | Season Career |
Clark, Ben | Defence | 12 Jun 1981 | 6 | Season Career |
Humphreys, Richie | Forward | 30 Nov 1977 | 8 | Season Career |
Porter, Joel | Forward | 25 Dec 1978 | 9 | Season Career |
Williams, Eifion | Forward | 15 Nov 1975 | 11 | Season Career |
Strachan, Gavin | Midfield | 23 Dec 1978 | 12 | Season Career |
Proctor, Michael | Forward | 3 Oct 1980 | 14 | Season Career |
Sweeney, Anthony | Midfield | 5 Sep 1983 | 15 | Season Career |
Bullock, Lee | Midfield | 22 May 1981 | 16 | Season Career |
Brackstone, John | Defence | 9 Feb 1985 | 19 | Season Career |
Brown, James | Forward | 3 Jan 1987 | 20 | Season Career |
Provett, Jim | Goal | 22 Dec 1982 | 21 | Season Career |
Jones, Carl | Defence | 30 Sep 1986 | 22 | Season Career |
Williams, Darren | Defence | 28 Apr 1977 | 23 | Season Career |
Daly, Jon | Forward | 8 Jan 1983 | 25 | Season Career |
Turnbull, Steve | Midfield | 7 Jan 1987 | 26 | Season Career |
Turnbull, Phil | Midfield | 1 Jan 1987 | 27 | Season Career |
Foley, David | Forward | 12 Jul 1987 | 28 | Season Career |
Maidens, Michael | Midfield | 7 May 1987 | 29 | Season Career |
Rae, Michael | Forward | 23 Oct 1987 | 30 | Season Career |
Davison, Tony | Goal | 1 Dec 1987 | 31 | Season Career |
Muckles, Neil | Defence | 2 Sep 1986 | 32 | Season Career |
Low, Graham | Defence | 16 Nov 1986 | 33 | Season Career |
To date they have recorded one defeat and one draw. On the opening day of the season they will count themselves very unlucky to have lost 1-0 at home to Swindon Town. Only the heroics of Swindon goalkeeper Petr Brezovan kept the visiting side in the game after Hartlepool dominated. Two penalty saves and hit woodwork meant that it was just not to be Hartlepool's day. On Tuesday night Hartlepool recorded a 0-0 draw away at Macclesfield Town, in-front of only 1,843 fans. This time it was the fine performance of central defensive unit Danny Swailes and David Morley who denied the dominating Hartlepool. Defender Darren Williams has been singled out for praise this week by manager Danny Wilson, who has been impressed with the ex-Sunderland centre backs displays to date this season. In the 0-0 draw with Macclesfield the teams lined up:
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Last time at Bescot (17th December 2005) Walsall came out 1-0 winners when Matty Fryatt scored an 85th minute winner, being thread through by Paul Merson. Paul Merson until then had contributed nothing at all but he provided Fryatt with the right pass at the right time.
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Match report:
http://www.walsall-mad.co.uk/news/loadrprt.asp?cid=MTCH&id=257002