Walsall 1-1 Cardiff City - Match Report

A late Gareth Whalley strike gave the Bluebirds a share of the spoils against the hard-working Walsall, in a game which saw both sides reduced to 10-men.

Whalley's last gasp goal, which was first in a City shirt, cancelled out Jorge Leitao's opener, which came from a parried penalty save by Neil Alexander.

Lennie Lawrence named the same line-up that hammered Derby County 4-1 last Monday, with James Collins continuing in his unenvious role of filling Danny Gabbidon's boots, with the Welsh international still missing through injury.

As the opening half wore on Walsall began to take authority, with spells of constant pressure, and could have taken the lead  with a couple of clear cut chances.

Saddlers Skipper Paul Merson sent in an accurate corner to Ian Roper, but his shot flew over Neil Alexander's bar. Steve Corica also went close, but the Saddlers failed to take advantage of possession and the two sides went in level at the break.

Half Time - Walsall 0-0 Cardiff City

Shortly after the re-start, City defender James Collins was adjudged to have handled the ball in the penalty area, and referee Joslin showed little hesitation in awarding the spot-kick.

Zigor Aranalde's penalty was well saved by Neil Alexander, but Jorge Leitao was quick to react to the Scotsman's parry and bravely charged in to put the ball home.

The goal came as a real wake up call for the Bluebirds, who began to take control and the Walsall midfield crumbled. Robert Earnshaw and Alan Lee both had chances but some superb 'keeping from Walker in the Saddlers goal.

As City pushed on looking for an equaliser the game took an ugly turn, with goalscorer Leitao and Neil Alexander both getting booked for a bizarre incident. Leitao was penalised for pulling James Collins' shirt, which saw Collins retaliate with a push. Neil Alexander then charged out of his goal (a la Paul Ince) to join in with the incident. Collins was not cautioned, but Alexander was shown the yellow card.

Moments later the game reached boiling point when Alan Lee and Aranalde were both dismissed after a mid-half kicking contest, following a tough touchline tackle from Walsall's Ritchie.

Walsall's loss of a defender had a greater affect that City's absence of a striker and the Bluebirds were now dominating, and Lawrence through on Peter Thorne and Gareth Whalley to bolster the attack.

The City equaliser finally came with only 15 seconds on the clock. Rhys Weston delivered a long cross to Chris Barker, who won an aerial battle for the ball. Gareth Whalley picked up the loose ball, turned and fired home giving Walker no chance.

Referee Joslin, who was booed by both Walsall and travelling City supporters throughout the game for a series of questionable decisions booked Graham Kavanagh after the goal for time wasting, but the whistle went only seconds after the re-start.

City deserved their point after playing the better football for the majority of the second-half, and speaking to Walsall fans after the game, they seemed to agree that a point was the right result.

Full Time - Walsall 1-1 Cardiff City

Walsall: Walker, Bazeley, Aranalde, Hay, Roper, Osborn, Corica, Samways, Ritchie, Leitao, Merson. Subs: Kerr, Wrack, Matias, Emblen, Birch.

Cardiff: Alexander, Weston, Barker, Vidmar, Collins, Boland, Kavanagh, Robinson, Langley, Lee, Earnshaw. Subs: Thorne, Bonner, Prior, Whalley, Margetson.

Referee: P Joslin (Nottinghamshire).

It was an excellent defensive display from the Australian international, and his form so far this season makes him look the ideal defensive partner for Daniel Gabbidon.

Cool, calm and always alert, Tony Vidmar is looking like an excellent acquisition by Lennie Lawrence.

Paul Merson was probably the best player on the pitch though, but I fear for Walsall should the former England international pick up an injury!

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