Young Guns grab the glory - PNE Report


Fryatt - 1st goal
By 4two
March 20 2004

The Saddlers picked up a vital 3 points away to Preston thanks to goals from youngsters Matt Fryatt and Mark Wright.

Walsall

Walsall

Young guns do the Biz

...
Preston NE 1-2 Walsall
Date -20.3.04
Location - Deepdale, Preston
Attendance - TBC
.g

Preston

  Walsall
  Longergan   Walker  
  Alexander   Roper  
  Davis   Ritcie  
  Jackson   Carbon  
  Edwards   Wright  
  Gemmill   Andrews  
  Keane   Burley  
  Lynch   Merson  
  Healy   Aranalde  
  Creswell   Emblen  
  Mckenna   Fryatt  
  Subs   Subs  
  Koumantarakis   Bazeley  
  McCormack   Osborn  
  Briscoe   Corica  
  Smith   Taylor  
Gould   Petterson  

Colin Lee chopped and changed again, but this time for the better as the Saddlers came away from Play-Off chasing Preston with all 3 points, having achieved their best away result of the season so far.

In came the young Fryatt and Wright, out went Osborn and Bazeley who took spots on the bench. Gary Birch made way for Matt Carbon who lined up in a back 3.

The Saddlers took the lead after 74 seconds when Fryatt got on the end of a Paul Merson corner which had been won after a good effort from Neil Emblen.

Preston equalised five minutes after the break when Richard Creswell was caught by Matt Carbon. The Ref had no choice but to give a penalty. The trustworthy Alexander stepped up and tucked the ball in to the corner, sending Jim Walker the wrong way.

Paul Merson was having one of his better games, and he set up the winner 15 minutes later, as Mark Wright headed home a Merson cross.

Preston had enough chances throughout the game to prevent a Walsall win. Davis, Creswell, Lynch and Mckenna were all guilty of missing half decent chances.

This was a gusty performance from the Saddlers, the kind of performance that will keep us in the First Division.

Colin Lee tactical genius? Today he certainly was. The introduction of Wright and Fryatt paid off. The introduction of Bazeley and Osborn in the 2nd helped us push on and get the winner.