The entertainers - Saddlers 4-1Albion

By Alan Stokes
August 9 2003

It could well be the best performance we have ever seen at the Bescot Stadium. The Albion, who are favourites for promotion were outclassed by a livley Saddlers side who dominated possession.

Baggies Blasted at the Bescot       Walsall 4 -1 WBA        Date - 9/8/03        Location - Bescot, Walsall        Attendance - 11,030 Albion Walsall Hoult Walker    9 Haas Bazeley   8 Clement Aranalde  8 O'Connor Hay         8 Dichio Emblen    9 Johnson Roper      6 Gregan Samways 8 Hulse Leitao      8 Sigurdson Corica     8   Koumas Merson    9 Volmer Osborn    8 Subs Dobie, Sakiri. Wallwork  Wrack 7, Birch 6, Oakes, 6.     Unused - Gilchrist, Murphy Unused - Kerr, Matiass

Date: 5/8/03 Reporter: Alan Stokes On Line: 18:35 pm Simply awesome. Albion were welcomed back to the Nationwide and given a damn good thrashing. For good measure, the saddlers went on to outclass their local rivals. Albion started the match on top spending most of their time in the saddlers half. After 10 minutes roper was strechered off the pitch after coming off worse in a 50/50 challenge. In the reshuffle Wrack came on to play right wingback with Bazeley moving into the centre of a 3 man back line. After soaking up the initial pressure Merson decided to have an influence on the game. A break down the right wing by Corica resulted in the subsequent cross landing at the feet of Merson outside the box. Without hesitating Merson casually flicked the ball over Hoult and into the top corner of the net. It is doubtful if you will see a better goal this season. Worth the admission price alone. Merson then decided to continue with the Paul Merson road show. As the ball rebounded to him outside the area he lashed the ball into the top corner leaving Hoult helpless As the Baggies were trying to come to terms with being 2-0 down Osborn advanced from the halfway line striking his shot against the post. Jorge Leitao ran on to slot in the third. It was absolute bedlam at Bescot. Half time Walsall 3 Albion 0 It was expected that Albion would come out all guns blazing in the second half. Walsall however had other intentions by playing Albion off the park. Walsall simply outclassed the Baggies. The fourth goal duly arrived with some magnificent class from Corica. He brought the ball down, turned his defender and lashed his shot into the top corner. Yet another sublime goal. Albion managed to pull back a consolation with a Koumas effort deflecting off Osborn passed Walker However, the calm heads of Samways, Emblen and Merson ensured Walsall cantered to their first victory of the season. Man of the match? Who knows? Emblen, solid as a rock at the back. Merson, incredible. Samways superb and Corica magnificent. You decide

Mersons first, an elegant chip, his second, a thundering volley. Leitao capitalised on a great run by Osborn for the third, while Corica gave Hoult no chance with his thundering shot in to the top left hand corner. The crowd was 7 short of our record. Credit to the Baggies fans who applauded Merson, and stayed till the end. unlike the Clayheads, who leave as soon as they start to lose. The Ref had a decent game. No big clangers, he handled a tough match well. Paul Gregan was booked for unsporting behaviour, after hacking down Corica in the second half.  Vinny Samways got himself booked for dissent following a contentious free kick awarded against Neil Emblem.

Cannock - Quite magnificent. Albion were totally outplayed. As for the man of the match, i haven't a clue. Merson was awe inspiring, Emblen was solid as a rock and Corica was simply fantastic 7inchyouknowwho - Absolutely brilliant Did you see all that passing? Albion just didnt get a look in!! Dave Hawkes - Brilliant game. Lovely performance. Merson's two goals were fantastic. The third was excellent too 4two - If you had of said, the score will be 3-0 at half time, id have said to Albion. Quiet simply outstanding. Hope we dont lose the confidence against Carlise on Tuesday!