Colin Lee's side secured their first league win on their travels this season more than 10 weeks after the season started. Their three previous away fixtures had yielded just a single point but this win should give Lee's team confidence going into 3 successive home games. Saddlers made numerous changes from the team defeated at Sunderland and Vinny Samways, returning from suspension, gave Saddlers the lead on 5 minutes after curling his free-kick into the back of the net after spotting goalkeeper Hahnemann off his line. Boosted by their lead Saddlers made some decent half chances. Neil Emblen started up-front and headed just over the bar whilst Osborn's chip ended on the roof of the net. Last season Lee's team frustrated Reading in the league and cup at the Madjeski Stadium and did the same last night. Reading failed to make any real chances and their best effort in the first-half fell to John Salako but he could only shoot straight at Jimmy Walker. Saddlers started the second-half well too and Birch fired over but the Reading started to search for an equaliser once again. Forster looked dangerous on numerous occasions and hit a shot that Walker saved before heading Salako's cross over the bar from close-range. Reading midfielder Steve Sidwell looked dangerous but the home side struggled to put the defence under pressure and their last chance was a header than went over the bar. Saddlers have a game at Bescot Stadium for the first time since September 29th this weekend when table-toppers Wigan are the visitors. Some of the pressure (both on the team and manager) has been lifted and a win on Saturday could help to kick-start our season... |