Saddlers end the month with a win...
THE MONTH of October started with a visit from unbeaten League leaders, Bristol City.Despite the visitors taking an early lead, it was The Saddlers who looked the better side for long periods and our reward finally came five minutes from the end when Romaine Sawyers curled in a beauty following a sharp move.
City were clinging on at the end as Walsall poured forward as they were given one of their toughest examinations of the season. The match ended with honours even, though, in a 1-1 draw.
We turned our attentions to Johnstone's Paint Trophy matters in our next game as we faced a second round tie at Rochdale having been given a bye in the previous round.
Having lost heavily at Spotland only weeks before, we put in a much-improved display and ran out worthy winners courtesy of Mathieu Manset's first goal for the club.
We were back up in Lancashire just days later for a clash with an Oldham Athletic side who were in good form.
Jordan Cook celebrated his first start of the season after returning from injury with a tenth minute opener and it is fair to say that he could have had a couple more in the first quarter-of-an-hour.
Our hosts managed to get on top after that and turned the scoreline on its head with a goal just after the half-hour mark and then a deflected winner with 15 minutes to go.
Try as we might, an equaliser was not forthcoming.
It was back to home soil for the next game against a Crewe Alexandra side who were bottom of the table, but in upbeat mood having won their previous game.
Featuring former Saddler, Febian Brandy, in their side, The Railwaymen managed to snatch a late winner in a game that had a goalless draw written all over it as neither side really made an impact.
A long Tuesday night trip down to Crawley Town followed in a game which saw The Saddlers dominate from start to finish.
We mustered almost 30 attempts at goal but were forced to return home pointless when our hosts won it thanks to a late free-kick.
It was a big blow, but we managed to pick ourselves up as we closed the month at home to Chesterfield.
The Spireites had adapted well to life at the higher level following promotion as League Two Champions at the end of the previous campaign.
They were well-organised but The Saddlers always had the edge and Tom Bradshaw, back in the side following injury, popped up to notch the winner just past the hour.