THE SADDLERS kicked off 2007 in the best possible way with a convincing 2-0 victory at Peterborough United.

There was almost a bizarre goal within the opening couple of minutes when Kris Taylor's attempted clearance cannoned off Shane Huke and almost found its way into the net.

With four minutes on the clock, a counter-attack by the home side saw them spread the play out to the right where Richard Butcher's low effort crept harmlessly wide.

Walsall went ahead with our first real effort at goal in the 12th minute. Martin Butler was brought down just outside the area and Daniel Fox stepped up to take the free-kick which he rifled home giving Paul Rachubka in the home goal no chance whatsoever.

A neat ball inside to Taylor saw him let fly from distance but his effort sailed over before we managed to double our advantage on 22 minutes as some positive play ended with Chris Westwood powerfully lashing the ball home with much aplomb.

Daniel Fox was needlessly booked on the half-hour mark for kicking the ball away as a handball decision went against him.

The next attack saw a dangerous low ball delivered by Mark Wright which evaded the 'keepers' grasp and found Butler whose close-range effort was blocked on the line.

With Richard Money's men looking the more likely side, Scott Dann linked up well with Hector Sam to get in a low strike on goal which Rachubka got down well to gather.

There was an excellent passage of passing football from The Saddlers in the 36th minute as we worked an opening for Westwood out wide on the right and his cross had to be pushed over the crossbar by Rachubka. It prompted the travelling faithful to launch into a chorus of 'It's just like watching Brazil'!

The home side almost pulled a goal back shortly afterwards when Crow broke through the back-line only to be denied by an important save from Clayton Ince who made himself big.

As half-time approached, Adam Smith did well on the right edge of the area to beat Westwood but his inviting ball into the danger zone was cleared right in front of his own goal by Dann for a corner which was headed over by the giant frame of Ben Futcher.

Ince did well to save a low drive from Maclean in the next attack and recovered to push the ball away from the on-rushing Crow, however the offside flag ended the pressure as The Posh looked for a way back into the proceedings.

The half ended with Dann booked for a foul just inside the Walsall half as we went in two goals to the good.

Butler did well to out-muscle Posh skipper, Craig Morgan on 51 minutes before finding Sam who was blocked inside the area but received a yellow card for diving.

A foul by Craig Pead right on the edge of the area gave the home side a free-kick in a dangerous position which Smith curled around the wall but Ince was equal to it to push the ball to safety.

With an hour on the clock, Sam managed to get in a low cross which evaded Butler and no-one was on hand at the far side of the area to capitalise upon the loose ball.

It was to be Sam's last involvement before he was replaced by Tony Bedeau who got straight into the action by linking up with Butler to force a corner which ultimately came to nothing.

A push on Wright just outside the area gave Fox another opportunity to try his luck with a free-kick but this time he blazed over. Then, in the next attack, Michael Dobson's ball carved open the home defence to give Bedeau a great chance, but with only Rachubka to beat, his effort was easy for the on-loan 'keeper to save.

At the other end, Posh substitute, Simon Yeo fired just over before Ince failed to deal with a teasing cross that saw the loose ball fired goalwards by Trevor Benjamin but clip the crossbar on its way out.

In the last minute, a long ball forward picked out Butler, who had worked tirelessly throughout the game, and he managed to get in a powerful shot that was pushed out by Rachubka as the full-time whistle sounded to give The Saddlers a well-deserved three points.