WALSALL v PETERBOROUGH UNITED
THE SADDLERS stepped out for our third home game in a week for the visit of Peterborough United as we turn our attention back to League matters.It was an end-to-end opening with both sides looking lively from the kick-off.
An effort from Adam Chambers dragged just wide on six minutes as there was a good tempo to the game.
A positive run from Romaine Sawyers in the next raid ended with his effort lacking pace as he closed in on goal.
There was some excellent battling on the right touchline by Andy Taylor and he fed Jordan Cook who curled in an inviting cross which Sawyers mis-cued at the crucial moment. It was good play from The Saddlers, though.
A curling effort from distance out of the blue by Kgosi Ntlhe flashed just inches wide for the visitors.
Just past the half-hour mark and a cross from the right by Anthony Forde found the head of Cook but he failed to direct his attempt goalwards.
At the other end, Joe Newell did well to get in a cross to the far post but Michael Bostwick was just wide with his header.
A dipping effort from distance by Forde was tipped over by Ben Alnwick in The Posh goal.
It was to be the last real action of the half as we went in goalless at the break.
The early exchanges of the second period saw a melee after a foul by Cook on Ntlhe. Players from both sides were involves and three yellow cards were issued in total with Cook and Sawyers seeing yellow for Walsall.
It added an edge to the game and Forde went close as he made room for a strike from outside the area.
There was an opening for Sawyers but he slid the ball the wrong side of the post.
A free-kick for Posh was played short to Bostwick whose low pile-driver landed just inches wide.
With just under a quarter-of-an-hour to go, Manset was replaced by Ashley Grimes just after Adam Chambers' long range effort had gone wide.
Grimes was straight into the action inside the penalty area but his ball across into the danger zone was scrambled clear.
A second change for The Saddlers with five minutes to go saw Mal Benning on for Forde.
There was a chance for Sawyers but Alnwick was alert to make the block.
A long ball forward from Taylor sees shouts for handball inside the area waved away by the referee.
There were appeals for a spot-kick at the other end, but it finished in a goalless stalemate.