Walsall 2 Watford 0
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By Matt Lond & J Bateman
February 23 2003
Jorge Leitao sealed the Saddlers a victory against fading play off hopefuls Watford , Walsall now have a seven piont gap from the drop zone.
2-0 Att: 7,705 Goals from Junior and Jorge Leitao helped
ease Walsall's relegation worries with a comfortable win over Watford at the
Bescot Stadium. Both sides were desperate for the points with Watford keen to
boost their play-off chances. Watford's Alec Chamberlain was the first
goalkeeper to be called into action when he dealt with a header from Junior and
his opposite number James Walker made his first save, denying Heidar Helguson.
Watford were coming more into the game and Jason Norville, who was making his
full senior debut, saw his 18-yard effort go wide while Glass' 25-yard shot was
blocked by Darren Bazeley, but it was the home side who drew first blood against
the run of play after Chamberlain failed to deal with a cross from Bazeley and
the ball fell to David Zdrilic, who flicked the ball on to Junior for him to
head into an empty net. This goal gave Walsall a boost and they created plenty
of chances to put themselves further ahead before the end of the half with
debutant Carl Robinson going close on a number of occasions. Walsall were
without Vinny Samways who is waiting for international clearance and they
continued to press forward in the second half with Bazeley's cross cleared by
Marcus Gayle and Steve Corica's inswinging corner cleared by Jamie Hand. Watford
started to come back into the game with Stephen Glass missing a hatful of
chances to draw level while Heidar Helguson's 18-yard effort was caught by
Walker. Gifton Noel-Williams also saw his six-yard effort go wide. The Saddlers
finally sealed all three points when substitute Leitao added the second. Walsall
cleared a Watford corner and Pedro Matias' cross found Leitao who headed home to
secure the win.
Reports Courtesy Of Matt Lond
Walsall
Watford
Junior 25
Leitao 86
