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Match Reports

Match Report: Walsall 0-0 Forest Green Rovers

25 November 2023

Match Reports

Match Report: Walsall 0-0 Forest Green Rovers

25 November 2023

Walsall were held to a goalless draw against Forest Green Rovers at the Poundland Bescot Stadium.

Freddie Draper and Tom Knowles came the closest for the Saddlers with chances in the first half but neither side did enough on the day to earn three points.

Mat Sadler welcomed Draper back from injury while Liam Gordon, Brandon Comley and Donervon Daniels also returned to the starting XI after they missed the EFL Trophy defeat at Shrewsbury Town last time out.

Owen Evans also came in for Jackson Smith to make it a total of five changes from the previous outing 11 days ago.

There was another boost on the bench as Priestley Farquharson was also included in the squad.

The first chance of the afternoon fell to Forest Green when Troy Deeney, playing at the Poundland Bescot Stadium for the first time since his departure in 2010, headed just wide at the back post.

Kyle McAllister came close on 10 minutes when he flicked Fankaty Dabo’s cross just off target as Rovers were on top in the early running.

The Saddlers grew into the contest and their first chance came when Ronan Maher’s cross from the left was met by Draper at the near post but the striker headed wide.

Walsall had a glorious chance to open the scoring on 23 minutes when Maher cut it back to Knowles in the box but he curled his effort over.

The Saddlers came agonisingly close again, this time Draper was denied by Belshaw who got down well to save his diving header from close range.

Walsall had the first opportunity of the second half as Daniels headed Ryan Stirk’s corner over at the near post.

Sadler made his first change just after the hour mark as he introduced Jamille Matt in place of Maher.

The visitors enjoyed a lot of the ball during the second half but rarely tested Owen Evans.

Danny Johnson was introduced with just over 15 minutes of normal time to add a bit of firepower in attack.

Walsall started to see more of the ball but struggled to find a way through.

The Saddlers did have one opportunity when Johnson rifled in a shot in added time but it was pushed behind by Belshaw and the contest ended all square.

 

Evans; Okagbue, McEntee, Daniels, Gordon; Stirk, Comley, Knowles, Hutchinson, Maher (Matt 62’); Draper (Johnson 74’)
Subs: Smith (GK), Farquharson, James-Taylor, Allen

Attendance: 6317 (182 away)


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