SADDLER SLIP TO BANTAMS
THE SADDLERS returned to home soil for the visit of Bradford City.There was a good early tempo to the game, supplemented by a vocal atmosphere from both sets of supporters.
A low strike from the visitors hit the side-netting with ten minutes on the clock.
The Saddlers take advantage of a couple of loose passes in the middle of the park to launch an attack that ends with Troy Hewitt firing wide of the target.
As Walsall started to get into our stride, Mantom brought a smart save from Jon McLaughlin with 26 minutes on the clock.
Some good defending by Butler denied the visitors as matters remained even.
A foul by Milan Lalkovic gave The Bantams a free-kick out wide which Mark Yeates curled in only for Walsall to half-clear, as the ball came back in, Bradford won a corner that ended with Yeates' effort blocked.
The opening goal came for the visitors with a powerful strike from distance by Kyel Reid on the stroke of half-time.
HALF-TIME: Walsall 0 Bradford City 1
It didn't take The Bantams long to make it 2-0 early in the second period through James Hanson.
The Saddlers looked to hit back and a neat move ended with Mantom firing straight at the 'keeper.
After an inviting ball across the face of goal from Westcarr just evaded Hewitt, The Saddlers made a treble change as Featherstone, Lalkovic and Hewitt were replaced by Hemmings, Sawyers and Baxendale respectively.
It prompted a bright spell of pressure from Walsall as a couple of corners in quick succession ended with Downing firing wide from a good position. Then in the next raid, Baxendale's cross was met on the volley by Hemmings who was just off target.
Hemmings tried his luck from distance but was just off target.
A good move on the left ended with Andy Taylor's effort being pushed away by the 'keeper.
The Saddlers just couldn't find a way through as we slipped to a 2-0 reverse.
FULL-TIME: Walsall 0 Bradford City 2