Scotia Smith's match report on Walsall 2-1 Colchester...
On a chilly March afternoon, Walsall took on bottom of the league Colchester United. The home team kicked off and had the first attempt on goal in the 2nd minute through Sawyers. Colchester got into the game and had some good shots on goal themselves. Unfortunately for Walsall, O’Connor went down injured by the half way line – he’d damaged his calf. Matt Preston replaced him.Then disaster struck! In 2 minutes of injury time, Colchester scored from a corner when Alex Gilbey headed in. The Saddlers had a lot of work to do in the second half.
Colchester carried on the good work in the second half and had more shots on goal. Walsall had to do something and brought on Morris and Lalkovic in the 65th minute. Hiwula then skyed a Lalkovic cross over the bar in the 80th minute. It didn’t look good for the Saddlers.
In desperation, Preston, started pushing up front. It paid off! In the 89th minute he flicked the ball on for Bradshaw to score an amazing left foot volley. Walsall was finally starting to wake up. In the 92nd minute, following an almighty scramble, Matt put the ball in the back of the net. The fans were going crazy and it felt like the stadium was shaking.
Later, in the press conference, the Head Coach admitted, ’I didn’t send Matt Preston up today, the players did. That’s all you need, a bit of player management.”
He also praised Colchester and said. “We missed our captain today. There’s something about Adam, he’s contagious.” He finished by saying that he hoped Bradshaw would win his first Wales cap this week.