Matthew Aplin's report on Walsall 2-1 Colchester...
Walsall versus Colchester and Whitney’s third game in charge can he and the team continue on the form that they are producing and finally get a win at home in 2016.The first half was not going Walsall’s way as with an injury to James O’Connor in the 16th minute didn’t help the defence out especially as Adam Chambers was out injured himself for this match.
The player that came on for O'Connor was Matt Preston but Walsall were the first team that were a goal down by an Alex Gilbey’s header in the 45 minute from a corner going bottom right, Neil Etheridge the goalkeeper got his finger tips on it but couldn’t get rid of the ball.
The second half was going to be hard like the first half. This being a goal down and Walsall not playing the best of games.
There was a great save from Etheridge in the 59th minute of the game sliding in to his left and using his legs to block the shot.
This game was looking like Walsall were going to lose but in the 65th minute there was a double substitution Liam Kinsella off for Kieron Morris and Rico Henry off for Milan Lalkovic.
With this Walsall looked more of a threat on the attack.
Hiwula had a great chance to get a goal in the 80th minute from a Milan lalkovic cross but lost the opportunity to make it level by hitting the ball over the crossbar by a large margin.
Then Walsall hit with determination in the last dying minutes of the game with the first substitute coming on Preston. He flicked the ball onto Walsall’s top goal scorer Tom Bradshaw and what a finish it was hitting the ball with his left foot and volleying into the top right corner of the goal in the 89th minute.
Whitney after the game replied with “The players became themselves when they scored” this showed in the 92nd minute, Matt Preston with not only a assist in the game but a goal as well with a scramble happening in the box, first it was Bradshaw hitting the bar then a hand ball from the opponents then coming back into the path of Preston who banged it in and Walsall performed an amazing comeback.
Whitney in the press conference after the game said “I didn’t tell Matt Preston to go up front today the players did”.
With this comeback Walsall go into the international break third in the league on the same points as Wigan with a lower goal difference but the dream is still on for the Saddlers and an automatic promotion place.