IT WAS Colchester United who kicked off on a pleasant September afternoon, perfect for football.

6 The first real action saw a foul on Reuben Reid present Matt Richards with a free-kick which he drilled, left-footed, towards goal only for Mark Cousins in the visitors' goal to make the save.

12 Walsall starting to pass the ball around sharply and Paul Marshall played in Julian Gray with a neat ball as he in turn found Jon Macken who had a sight of goal only for Mark Cousins to deflect wide for a corner, which came to nothing as Clayton McDonald looked to get in a header that landed well off target.

22 Clayton McDonald had to be alert to clear ahead of David Mooney as an inviting ball was delivered into the danger zone from the Colchester left.

28 Darryl Westlake picked out youngster, Jamie Paterson in space on the right and he got to the by-line before pulling a dangerous low ball back across the face of goal which the visitors managed to scramble clear ahead of Jon Macken.

32 There was some defensive work for Darryl Westlake to do as he managed to knock Ian Henderson off his stride as he made a purposeful dart towards goal.

43 A teasing ball in from the right by Marc Tierney looked to pick out Anthony Wordsworth but the pace of the ball made it difficult for him. The half ended with both sides looking for a spark.

Half-time: Walsall 0 Colchester United 0

52 It was the visitors who made the livelier start to the second period and a teasing ball in from Andy Bond was cleared by Clayton McDonald as David Mooney waited in the middle.

60 There was a yellow card for Matt Richards for bringing down David Perkins just outside the area. Anthony Wordsworth stepped up to take and smashed the ball into the defensive wall.

63 A neat passing move by The U's ended with Kemal Izzet dipping an effort just over the crossbar from the edge of the area.

67 Jonny Brain alert to deny Kayode Odejayi outside his area and clear long downfield.

71 Darren Byfield, fit again after an Achilles injury, was introduced into the action in place of Julian Gray.

73 Straight away Darren Byfield got involved in the action as a sweeping move, started by Matt Richards, saw the ball find Aaron Lescott out wide via Jamie Paterson. Lescott's cross was hit goalwards by Byfield but Mark Cousins was able to gather.

76 A counter-attack from Colchester ended with the powerful Kayode Odejayi dragging the ball just wide with David Mooney unable to get a touch at the far post.

80 Patient build-up play from The Saddlers ended with Darren Byfield beating Brian Wilson and getting in a shot from a tight angle that hit the outside of the post.

82 The visitors took the lead when Brian Wilson's cross to the far post was turned home by Andy Bond to make it 1-0 despite Clayton McDonald's best efforts to clear on the line.

86 Some positive play out wide by David Mooney saw his low cross just evade substitute, John White in front of goal.

87 There was a let-off for the visitors when a loose ball set Darren Byfield racing away towards goal, He rounded the advancing 'keeper but fired well over.

It was to be The Saddlers' last real chance to take anything out of the game as the final whistle sounded to signal a home defeat.

Full-time: Walsall 0 Colchester United 1

PHOTOS: David Linney Photography