BRADFORD CITY v WALSALL
THE SADDLERS stepped out at a damp Coral Windows Stadium intent on finding a return to winning ways against Bradford City.An early raid by Walsall ended with Milan Lalkovic's cross gathered by the 'keeper.
Our next foray forward saw Febian Brandy strike tamely at the 'keeper.
There was a good chance for The Saddlers just past the ten-minute mark when an inviting cross from Andy Taylor was cleared as far as Adam Chambers who saw his effort blocked as Sam Mantom fired the rebound over.
Walsall are playing some neat, patient stuff in the early exchanges.
A foul on the marauding Romaine Sawyers gives Walsall a free-kick in a good position on 25 minutes as Craig Westcarr's effort deflects out for a corner, which is eventually cleared by The Bantams.
There was a good chance for the home side on the half-hour as a free-kick whipped in from the right was headed inches wide by former Saddlers' loanee, Andrew Davies.
A quickly-taken free-kick from Walsall sees the ball fed to Westcarr whose first effort is blocked but he is alert to the rebound to get in a strike that is saved.
There was an improvised and important clearance from Andy Butler as he slipped to deny Aaron McLean.
Hesitation in the home defence as Andy Taylor pumps the ball forward but the 'keeper gets a foot to the ball to clear.
A late free-kick for Walsall is over-hit right at the end of the first half as the opening period ends goalless.
HALF-TIME: Bradford City 0 Walsall 0
There was a change at the break as James Baxendale replaced Milan Lalkovic.
A low cross from Westcarr was scrambled clear after he had put good pressure on the ‘keeper to keep the ball alive.
The Saddlers took the lead on 68 minutes when Taylor’s teasing low ball in from the left saw Westcarr get in front of his marker to open the scoring.
A neat ball from Mantom found Baxendale whose strike was well saved by the ‘keeper who managed to hold on as Westcarr lurked for any loose ball.
Some quick feet by Brandy saw his cross just evade Westcarr in the middle. It was to be Brandy’s last involvement in the game as he was replaced by James McQuilkin.
The second goal for Walsall arrived on 78 minutes when some neat play ended with Wescarr arrowing home beyond the ‘keeper.
The Saddlers were looking solid and well worth our lead as some more sharp play sees Sawyers win a corner only for a foul by Butler to see the pressure eased on the home defence.
As the clock ticked down, Walsall never looked in any real danger as we made a deserved return to winning ways.
FULL-TIME: Bradford City 0 Walsall 2