Saddlers slip to Swindon
MATCH REPORT
THE SADDLERS made a prompt return to home action for the second of our trilogy of home games in a week.
It took the visitors barely over a minute to open the scoring with the first raid on goal when Simon Ferry fired home from just inside the area.
Walsall looked to hit back straight away as James Baxenadale held the ball up well before finding Jamie Paterson whose low strike from the edge of the area flashed just inches wide.
With nine minutes on the clock, David Grof pushed out an effort from James Collins.
A foul on Adam Chambers out wide gave The Saddlers a free-kick in a promising position which Malvind Benning, on his first start, whipped in dangerously only for Wes Foderingham in the visitors' goal to punch clear under pressure.
There was a timely intervention from Richard Taundry as Gary Roberts invitingly pulled the ball across towards James Collins.
With ten minutes to go until the interval, loanee, Sam Mantom dragged an effort wide from distance.
Grof saved well as he pushed a low effort around the post as half-time loomed.
HALF-TIME: Walsall 0 Swindon Town 1
The Saddlers came out for the second period with purpose and an early raid ended with Adam Chambers hooking the ball just over.
Shortly afterwards, Benning made progress into the area before seeing his deflected effort saved by the 'keeper.
The first change for Walsall saw Febian Brandy replace James Baxendale.
Positive burst out of midfield by Nicky Featherstone ended with him being hauled down to win a free-kick just outside the area on the hour-mark. Jamie Paterson curled it towards goal only for Foderingham to push the ball around the post.
Straight away at the other end, a pacy attack by the visitors saw Benning block well initially only for the ball to fall at the feet of Matt Ritchie who arrowed home to make it 2-0.
The Robins broke the offside trap as Miles Story broke through only for Grof to half-clear outside his area. The ball fell to Andy Williams whose attempt at lobbing the 'keeper saw Grof push the ball away and his follow-up was blocked by Andy Butler.
As the clock ticked down, Jamie Paterson made way for Ashley Hemmings.
Grof blocked well to deny Williams as he broke through from the right-hand side of the area.
A final throw of the dice on 83 minutes saw George Bowerman on for Featherstone.
There was to be no way back for The Saddlers as the game ended in defeat.
FULL-TIME: Walsall 0 Swindon Town 2
WALSALL: David Grof, Richard Taundry, Andy Butler, Dean Holden, Nicky Featherstone (George Bowerman), Adam Chambers, Will Grigg, Jamie Paterson (Ashley Hemmings), Malvind Benning, James Baxendale (Febian Brandy), Sam Mantom. Subs: Jake Jones, Paul Downing, James Chambers, James Walker.
ATTENDANCE: 4,139.