On a bright and sunny afternoon, Walsall faced a crucial game against fellow relegation strugglers, AFC Wimbledon. Two places and two points above their rivals at the bottom end of the table, this really was a ‘must not lose’ game for the Saddlers.
The home team started on the front foot and shots from Leahy and Dobson rained in on goal and then….
GOAL! In the 5th minute, Fitzwater got a touch on a curling Oztumer free kick to put the home side deservedly in front.
Walsall continued to press the action, the only bad news being a booking for Fitzwater. Efforts from Dobson and Bakayoko kept the pressure on The Dons and then…
GOAL! In the 44th minute, Ngoy turned superbly, cut into the box from out wide and calmly slotted past the advancing keeper.
The second half started with Wimbledon looking a totally different side. They poured forward and…
GOAL! In the 47th minute, Devlin was tempted into a rash tackle resulting in a penalty. Roberts saved the initial kick but it was smashed in on the rebound.
Wimbledon was rampant now. They attacked, hitting the post and then….
GOAL! In the 64th minute, a quick goal kick caught us napping and their forward broke through to level the scores.
An injured Fitzwater was replaced by Roberts and Cuvelier and Oztumer by Morris and Shaibu as Walsall struggled to cope with Wimbledon…..
GOAL! In injury time, Roberts was harshly adjudged to have pulled down a Wimbledon forward for another penalty. This was also converted to send the 733 away fans delirious.
In the press conference, the manager said he was, ‘frustrated, angry and upset’. He disputed the penalty and called for a brave and improved showing at Scunthorpe next week.