Walsall Football Club

THE SADDLERS stepped out at Prenton Park for our second away game in three days.

It was a purposeful start from Dean Smith's side against the League leaders. 

The home side headed over from a corner before Jake Cassidy was denied by an alert Aaron McCarey who gathered the ball on the edge of the area, whilst at the other end, Jamie Paterson broke on the right with 12 minutes on the clock only for his ball into area to evade everyone.

A burst into the area by Febian Brandy on the quarter-hour saw him win a corner as he went to ground. The first corner was taken short as Jamie Paterson won another flag-kick which this time was delivered invitingly into the area only for Owain Fon Williams to claim well.

There was a great chance for Walsall on 17 minutes when a poor ball out of defence was picked up by Will Grigg who went through but dragged his effort wide of the target.

A low ball driven into the area was pushed out by Aaron McCarey and deflected inches wide off skipper for the night, Dean Holden.

As the home side started to get a grip on the game, Andy Robinson's strike produced a good low save from McCarey.

There was another chance for Grigg as he broke on the left before firing into the side-netting.

Another break away by Grigg on the half-hour saw him look to curl the ball home from the angle but once more he was wide of the mark.

A loose ball from Holden presented Cassidy with a chance that he spurned in the 33rd minute.

A timely intervention fromn Ash Taylor denied Grigg who once more got into a good position in behind the Rovers' back four.

The Saddlers were enjoying the majority of possession as the first half came to a close, forcing the home side into mistakes. A neat move ended with Paterson firing just wide as the opening goal eluded us.

There was a foul on Febian Brandy just outside the area which presented Paterson with a free-kick which he put just over.

As half-time approached, Paul Downing's clearance struck Cole Stockton and landed just wide.

The last action of the half saw Andy Robinson have an opening, but his effort was easy for McCarey to gathe.

The second period started with a break by Paterson who feed Brandy and his pace took him into the area where he looked to touch the ball past the advancing 'keeper who managed to get a touch to concede a corner.

A powerful strike from Nicky Faetherstone was bravely blocked as The Saddlers continued to look the most likely side.

A spell of pressure from Rovers saw The Saddlers forced to defend bravely on a couple of occasions in quick succession.

There was a booking for Brandy on 69 minutes for playing on after he had been pulled back for offside.

An ambitious effort from Robinson flew over from distance.

At the other end, Paterson latched onto a forward pass and although he was taken wide, he still got in a low strike that Fon Williams did well to hold as Brandy lurked with intent for the rebound.

It was Brandy's last involvement in the action as George Bowerman took his place, whilst James Baxendale came on for Hemmings.

There was a chance for Zoumana Bakayogo at the far post which he put wide.

More good battling for Walsall saw a sweeping move end with Sam Mantom firing over from the edge of the area after Baxendale had done well to win the ball back.

A third and final change saw Grigg replaced by Adam Chambers.

A hard-working and committed display by The Saddlers saw us bring home a point and a clean sheet from the League leaders.