Missed chances costs points

By Hung Over Saddler
November 23 2003

The Saddlers should have had this one sewn up by half time, but a series of missed chances from both sides saw it end goalless.

A Story of missed chances for the Saddlers ... Walsall 0-0 Palace Date - 22/11/03 Location - Bescot, Walsall Attendance - 6910 . Palace Walsall Myhre Walker 8 Borrowdale Hay 7 Symons Roper 7 Popovic Vincent 6 Fleming Corica 8 Butterfield Osborn 7 Huges Wrack 7 Watson Merson 8 Johanson Samways 6 Freedman Baird 6 Shipperley Birch 7 Subs Subs Berthelin Allaway Routledge Aranalde 6 Black Emblen Granville Dinning 6 Edwards Leitao 6

Date: 22/11/03 Reporter: Mister Happy OnLine: 18:00 The points were shared in a truly awful match at Bescot Stadium today. The 3 points were really there for the taking and Walsall were guilty of not cashing in as they served up a pretty lackluster performance. To say that the Saddlers were a touch sluggish would be a massive understatement as time and time again possession was easily and needlessly conceded. Both Baird and Vincent were seemingly suffering bouts of colour blindness as each pass, cross and clearance was gifted to a player in a disgusting looking light yellow shirt. It was fortunate that Palace were so pathetic and clueless that they didn’t know what to do with Saddlers generous offerings. Sadly, Vincent and Baird were not the only players attempting to give Palace a head start. Even amidst such poor entertainment the Saddlers should have won the game at a canter as four clear cut chances went begging in the first period. Corica brought a superb double save from the visiting keeper, Baird troubled the scoreboard, Wrack headed wide when completely unmarked on the edge of the six yard box and Osborn had a good run with resultant shot flying just wide. Palace only had one real effort of note. Walker spilled a freekick into the path of an onrushing Palace player and with a goal surely the outcome of the spillage Walker redeemed himself by sticking out a leg for the Palace player to shoot against. On the half hour Freedman done Roper up like a kipper and advanced towards Walker. He then decided to dive theatrically over Walkers outstretched boot and was deservedly yellow carded by the incompetent official. The second half wasn’t really any better in the entertainment stakes. Saddlers often ruined good approach play with a poor final delivery whilst Palace relied on the threat of a lightning quick AJ. Again, even in such a poor display Walsall had enough chances to have buried the visitors. Wrack supplied Merson with a pin point cross only for Merse to slice hopelessly wide with the goal gaping. A few minutes later Merse was again guilty of completely missing the ball when all that was required was a firm smack into the back of the net. Towards the end of match Birch had an effort just off target after being supplied with a wonderful through ball from Merson. With 15 minutes remaining Baird was sent from the field of play for picking up his second dubious caution for a slight nudge on the threatening AJ. I never normally comment on the performances of officials as it is my belief that they have a difficult job to do. However, I will break this rule and conclude that the bloke controlling the match was an over officious prat. In this day and age it is staggering that professional footballers playing for professional football teams are being judged by ageing, clueless, overweight and unfit officials. The assistant with the red flag would have looked more at home wallowing in mud with his snout in a trough so unprofessional was his appearance. However, without getting hysterical I will put things into perspective. Palace were pants. In fact, they were diabolical. Yet, the points were shared. Enough said.

4two - Im sure im not the only one who thinks we should have walked it today.

Cannock -Our poor finishing and diabolical distribution let us down today.

Neil Ravenscroft - Plus the idiot in green! Did he give us a single decision, other than the dive? He was completely inept.