Walsall Ladies were able to clinch their second win in as many games, beating Darlaston Town 2-1 last Sunday afternoon at Dales Lane.
The opening minutes of the match were dominated by the visitors who were enjoying the lion’s share of possession and were looking the more likely out of the two teams to score the opening goal of the match. Within the first ten minutes they were successful in their attempts to capitalise on their dominance – scoring via a free kick from just outside the penalty area in what was a delightful finish.
The Saddlers were unlucky not to equalise almost immediately through Maja Szymkowiak, who saw her shot hit the post. It was an unfortunate moment for Maja and her team, but it showed that the momentum had swiftly shifted in favour of the hosts.
There was no more goal mouth action for some time after Maja’s shot hit the upright. Both teams were sharing possession and neither side were creating any clear-cut opportunities to, in Walsall’s case, equalise.
The Saddlers had another chance to restore parity midway through the first half, this time through Aaliyah Shearer. Shearer received a lovely through ball from Jade Harris, but unfortunately like Maja before her, she saw her effort cannon off the post. It was agonising for anyone of a Walsall persuasion as they deserved to be level with these chances that were presented to them.
Minutes after Darlaston had a chance of their own another opportunity to equalise came and went for the Saddlers through Shearer once again whose effort flew just wide of the visitors’ near post, much to her dismay. Walsall were now the dominant side in the match and were unlucky to not be at least on level terms.
A few moments later and the hosts were rewarded for their efforts as Shearer slotted the ball home following an excellent through ball from Amneek Bassi and in doing so restored parity in the match and established that the momentum was now firmly with the Saddlers who now looked far more likely than their visitors to score the next goal of the match.
It was to be euphoria for the home team as they were able to take the lead for the first time in the match, this time through Szymkowiak who was able to win the ball back from one of the Darlaston defenders, before chipping the ball into the back of the net.
The second half was not as action packed as the first with no real clear-cut chances for either side to get the next goal of the game and both teams had a fair share of possession.
Despite some spells of pressure from the visitors, the Saddlers were able to hold on till the final whistle and claim the win for the second time in as many matches. Walsall now have two wins from their last three games and will be looking to extend their unbeaten run next Sunday, where they face Port Vale.