I can't believe that Walsall have come off so light, with just a one
nil defeat at London Road.It really could have been any score, as
the home side had the Saddlers on the back foot for a lot of this
game.
As if John Scofield didn't have enough players out leading up to
his first match in caretaker control; Rhys Weston picked up a calf
strain in training yesterday so Manny Smith was drafted in to partner
Ant Gerrard and in fairness to the lad did ok.
After just six minutes Walsall went behind to another soft goal.A long
throw in by Lee completely fooled Sansara and Gerrard as Welpdale
had an easy chance to stab home from a few yards out.It had the
hallmarks of the Chuckle Brothers as the two blamed each other as
Clayton picked the ball out of the net.
It was a pity as Walsall had started the game brightly enough but
the early goal gave the Posh the confidence to press ahead and Boyd,
Mackail-Smith and Mc Lean all looked dangerous and thoughout the
game Walsall were so indebted to Clayton Ince for keeping the score
down.He made four really top-draw saves in the first half, on one
occassion having to punch clear as Dean Keates looked set to pounce.
The only shot of any note from the visitors was from Mark Bradley on
35 mins that went straight to the keeper.We stared off with a 4-4-2
formation with Deeney partnering Jabo but an injury to Palmer which
resulted in a lengthy delay as he was stretchered off saw us having
to reshuffle with Mattis having to drop in front of the defence and Troy
going wide right.
Palmer's injury gave the option of young Sam Adkins coming on and
without being spectacular looked comfortable enough.The second period
was almost a mirror image of the first, with the lively Posh looking like
scoring every few minutes.Again Ince was doing his heroics and helped
a goal bound effort onto a post.He deserved this little bit of luck and it
goes without saying he was Walsall's man of the match by some distance.
The Peterborough sponsers gave their award to Deano who was effective
enough but for me the ever-dangerous Boyd was even better.Marco Reich
came on with about 20 mins to go but he, like the other players were
finding it very hard to create anything.Mark Bradley was just inches away
in the 78 mins when his shot from about 18 yards beat the keeper but
went the wrong side of the post.
The fans gave the players vocal backing throughout which was good and
helped generate encouragement and got a decent hand at the end of the
game.There were one or two isolated anti-Bonser chants but the main
concern was to get behind the players.
