Walsall 2 Wigan 0

By Mister Happy
October 25 2003

An excellent second half performance saw the Saddlers overcome table topping Wigan. The things we do to help out Megson's boys.

Walsall overcame table topping Wigan with a fantastic second half performance. The first half was played out in atrocious conditions and credit must go to both sides for making it an entertaining spectacle.

Wigan threatened to draw first blood on five minutes with slack Saddlers defending leaving the Latics striker the simple chance to finish from 6 yards. Fortunately, the Saddlers rearguard managed to recover and scramble the ball to safety.

Wigan were a big powerful side and always looked threatening particularly whenever Horsfield and Ellington were in possession. At times the Saddlers defence looked ill at ease when the Wigan midfield bustled forward to help their attack. However, an excellent first half showing by Roper kept "The Horse" firmly in his stable.

As they rain teemed down Saddlers struggled to find any passing accuracy with the weather seemingly favouring the powerful visitors. The only worthwhile attempts at goal both came from Osborn. The first a 25 yard drive was easily collected by Filan whilst the second was leathered inches from the top corner of the net.

On 20 minutes the Latics had a golden opportunity to gain the lead. Yet more sloppy defending let in Ellington who somehow contrived to shoot 20 yards wide from the edge of the 6 yard box with only the keeper to beat.

The second half began in complete contrast to the first with the rain having subsided. With the improvement in the weather conditions so the Saddlers performance improved ten fold.

Five minutes after the restart Walsall took the lead with a fantastic goal. Darren Wrack playing on the left wing gathered the ball in his own half and set off on a purposeful run towards the Wigan goal. En route he exchanged a one - two with Merse and lashed the ball past the Wigan keeper.

The majority then expected Walsall to defend for the remainder of the half but astonishingly we carried on playing football. Not just any old football but exciting, passing attacking football. Wigan didn't get a sniff.

On the hour mark some more brilliant play down the right flank saw Baird flick a cross over to Birch who slammed the ball into the back of the net. However, the ref strangely disallowed the goal for offside. One of many bemusing decisions unfortunately.

However, it wasn't long before the Saddlers made it 2-0. Baird again was the provider as he escaped down the right flank and drove the ball across the face of goal for Wrack to slide in at the far post to convert. Excellent stuff.

Walsall were by now well in control and in all honesty the Latics didn't really look like scoring - especially after having taken off Horsfield and Ellington.

The sponsors man of the match went to Samways who controlled the midfield. My man of the match goes to one of either Ritchie the Rock or Dazzla Darren.

An excellent second half performance.

Come on you reds