Thugs 1-1 Walsall - Match Report

By Alan Stokes & 4two
August 23 2003

Stoke City's long ball game finally came unstuck against the Saddlers. The points were shared, but both sides had enough chances to finish the game off. The brutish and childish behaviour of Stoke players marred the game.

Moor Green Vs Saddlers Preview

Walsall

Thugs 1-1 Saddlers - Merse saves Saddlers

...

Walsall 1-1 Stoke City

Date - 23/8/03

Location - Bescot Stadium

Attendance - 9033

Stoke City		Walsall
	De Goey	Walker	8
	Thomas	Bazeley	6
	**Marteinsson	Aranalde	8
	Williams	Roper	7
	Hall	Emblen*	7
	Russell	Samways	7
	Andrews	Osborn***	6
	Eustace	Corica**	7
	Clarke	Hay	8
	*Asaba	Merson	7
	Noel-Williams	Leitao	7
	Subs	Subs
	*Henry	Matias*	7
	**Commons	Birch**	6
	Greenacre	Oakes***	6
	Iwelumo	Kerr
	Cutler	Wrack

Date: 23/8/03

Reporter: Alan Stokes.

On Line: 6:58pm

	The opening day fireworks of fast attacking football were well and truly extinguished this afternoon as Merson bagged a last gasp point for the Saddlers. Stoke largely dominated the first half with Noel-Williams and Asaba proving to be a powerful and difficult forward line to defend against. Comparatively Walsall's forward line was light weight bordering on the non existent. As early as the fifth minute the incompetent official (P.Taylor ironically) denied Stoke what looked like a cast iron penalty as Eustace was felled by a clumsy Emblen challenge. As the first half developed Stoke looked strong and powerful with their direct football. In contrast, the Saddlers were trying to play a passing game but inevitably lost possession too easily and rarely managed to trouble de Goey in the visitors goal. Indeed, Noel-Williams was guilty of missing 3 good goal attempts, each time nodding over the bar when totally unmarked. As Stoke piled on the pressure Asaba broke free on the 6 yard box and with the goal at his mercy Roper came from behind and lashed the ball out for a corner. The resultant corner saw Andrews lash a shot wide from 12 yards with the goal gaping. The breakthrough came on the half hour with the Saddlers guilty of some diabolical defending. Roper gave the ball away (Shock!) and Emblen headed the resultant cross straight back to a Stoke attacker. The follow up shot then ping-ponged into the path of Asaba who easily beat Walker from 6 yards. Walsall finished the half with a good attacking move between Leitao and Merson with Leitao failing to get onto the end of Merson's cross. The second half started much as the first with Saddlers attempting to play football but lacking a strikeforce. Shortly after the re-start Colin Lee reverted to a 442 system replacing Emblen with Matias. Pedro certainly livened things up and only a "Banks like" save from de Goey kept a Matias header out of the net. Midway through the second half the Saddlers finally came alive creating numerous chances but lacked a striker capable of getting onto the end of numerous crosses. After being found guilty of conceding possession far too easily Merson made amends by snatching a last gasp point for Walsall. The goal coming from "the more direct route" as opposed to the "total football" way. A hoof from Walker was flicked on by Birch into the path of Merson who rifled home from 20 yards. In injury time Samways was dismissed for picking up his second caution after another altercation with Eustace. All in all a disappointing afternoon with the Saddlers looking extremely powderpuff up front. However, we managed to gain a point when it looked as though it was all going pear shaped Man of the match - Zigor Aranalde. Some excellent defending, excellent attacking play, excellent crosses and boy was he cool under pressure taking the balls out of his own penalty box when i wanted the ball hoofed into the stand. Vote for your man of the match on our forum.

4two - Pedro changed the game. We looked better with 4-4-2. I thought we would go on to win it in the second half. Stoke are nothing but a bunch of hoof it long ball merchants.

Dan H - The linesman and the ref were not up to much. Stoke are an improved side. Really enjoyed the second half. Unlike the first !

Dave Hawkes - I'd have settled for a point before hand I suppose. Great striker from Merson, had a poor first half though I thought,

Geoff Whiting - Relieved we got the elusive equaliser, but we really should have taken all three points in that one-sided second half.

	Stoke's first came after Eustace scrambled the ball in to the box, leaving Asaba unmarked with a clear shot at a stranded Jim Walker. Merson took his Volley well from just inside the penalty area.
	An excellent turn out from Walsall fans 9033!. What a poor showing from Stoke. Somewhere around 1000 of their fans made the journey.
	It says something when both sets of fans sing you dont know what your doing. Roper went in to the book early on - it wasn't the best of challenges. Samways went for Foul and Abusive Language despite the Stoke player kicking him while was down and getting off scott free.