Witnessing Walsall record an away victory had to happen eventually
and today was that day! Two late goals in the 82nd and 92nd minutes
of play sent the 450 or so Saddlers fans happy with the result, if not
the performance but an away win is an away win and just when we
were somewhat hanging on for a 1-0 victory we go and score again.
Great stuff!
Saddlers had to start the game without Rhys Weston who was still
suffering from his calf injury but young Manny Smith came in for him
and although this was only the youngster's eighth start this season
he generally slotted in well, clearing his lines and for me looked the
part today.
Chris Hutchings again went for the striking partnership of leading
scorer Michael Ricketts and form man Troy Deeney with Jabo Ibehre
again keeping the bench warm.Dwayne Mattis was also back on the
subs bench after recovering from injury.
The opening exhanges didn't come to a great deal for either side but
Ricketts might have done better on five minutes when his header went
straight to the arms of keeper Zieler.Northampton were starting to win
corners and as always Akinfenwa was always a handful but Ant Gerrard
wasn't letting the big fella have all his own way and gave as good as he
got.
Things were going alright down the left with the dependable Boertien and
Zaaboub linking up well but the right side combination of Palmer and
Nicholls were frankly hopeless for most of the first half.Palmer guilty of
losing the ball several times and Alex was getting nowhere fast-being
also wasteful and being knocked off the ball far too easily.
We were looking comfortable enough in this first period, often putting
several passes together without any real end product.There was one
promising looking move on 25 mins however Ricketts started the move
sending a splendid ball out to Nicholls who exchanged passes with
Palmer and he put a high ball over for Ricketts to put Troy Deeney clear
however the ball just eluded him and the young keeper was glad to gather
the ball.
Clayton Ince was called upon on 35 mins and a smart save by the big
fella saved a certain goal.By now the hosts were in command and were
starting to look a little dangerous.Walsall had lost their passing game a
little and we were seeing the long ball creep into our game and Chris
Hutchings would have been glad of the interval to put one or two things
right.
Walsall started the second period a bit better and Ricketts set Zaaboub
on his way with a quickly taken free kick but the Frenchman committed
a foul and the danger overted.Stephen Hughes was lucky to escape a
booking for dissent.Northampton were still forcing corners and had a
long throw merchant which was worrying at times but Saddlers were
surviving and won their first courner after around an hour.
Troy Deeney had to go off for treatment after one heavy challenge and
wasn't the same afterwards.He got a great hand from the visitors for
all his usual hard work he had put into the game and was replaced by
Jabo.
After having to sit out a couple of games the striker looked full of energy
and Walsall badly needed something different.Mattis came on for Bradley
and he too looked lively.Just as the game looked as if it was going to
end in stalemate a defence splitting ball released Stephen Hughes with
a one -on-one chance with the home keeper and he delayed his moment
perfectly with a well placed shot.
Akinfenwa was doing his best to get things moving for the Cobblers and
Colin Larkin should have done better with a header.Just as Saddlers were
holding on for a much needed away result the hard working Jabo suddenly
found himself with just the keeper to beat and just like his captain before
him,kept his cool and slotted home to send the travelling fans wild.It really
was a great way to end a rather drab game and with Walsall now just nine
points behind the play off pack and games against lesser place teams to
come is it too late to raise hopes? With the new found confidence and
results under Hutch and Mart I wouldn't bet against it.