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Both managers fielded strong
sides which included there new signings. The opening moments of
match were not very entertaining, and it was the Cobblers who pushed
forward, getting some early efforts in on goal. 
Walsall were passing the ball
around well and keeping possession, something which the Cobblers
also managed to do when on the ball. You could tell there was a lot
of quality on the pitch, and it was to be about how it is applied.
Northampton looked eager to
get forward and test our back line. We on the other hand, looked
comfortable playing in front of Northampton, hoping to get Bazeley
or Aranalde to the byline should the chance arrive.
When the Saddlers did get wide
during the first half, quality balls were put in to the opposition
penalty box, but the only problem was Hawley isnt great in the air,
while Merson never seemed to be around.
When Northampton eventually
broke the deadlock it was an all to familiar chain of events.
Dudfield was given space down our left flank, we allowed him to
cross the ball, failed to win it, marking was poor (Roper) and their
player (Richards) put the ball in the net.
 Merson
was looking very normal, and didnt look comfortable as the second
center forward. He was involved in some nice passing moves, but was
never a threat to the Cobblers back line. When he had a free kick on
the edge of there area, he was no where to be seen, as Oakes blasted
the ball high and wide of the target.
Our only two chances of the
half came from Wrack who failed to capitalise on a good Merson
through ball, and Oakes who blazed the ball over the bar from 6
yards out when he only had the keeper beat, after excellent work
from Bazeley down the right wing.
Over all it was a very boring
45 minutes of football from a Saddlers perspective.
Half Time:
Cobblers 1-0 Walsall
 The
Second half was much of the same. The Saddlers looked very light
weight up front, and failed to push on to the Cobblers. Northampton
were playing some nice stuff now, getting the ball out wide, and in
to there lively front men every time they could.
Lee put Corica and Pedro on
for Samways and Wrack, and we went with 2 wingers. We began to get
forward via our wide men, and Darren Bazeley looked to have Lee
Harper panicking when his cross come shot landed on the roof of the
net just after the break.
Dudfield, who was playing up
front for the Cobblers looked to be a very handy player and had two
chances to double the Northampton lead, before he finnally did on 67
minutes. Dudfield received the ball in the Walsall area after a nice
touch from Asamoah, allowing him to unleash a well executed volley,
and put the Cobblers 2-0 up.
 Merson
and Hawley left the field just after the goal, and they were
replaced with Fryatt and Birch. Fryatt looked sharp and soon saw one
of his efforts sale just wide of Harpers goal. He nearly latched on
to a Matias through ball later on in the half, but he put to much
pace on it.
The final chance of the game
fell to Birch, who latched on to a great cross from the left wing,
but could only head it straight in to the arms of Lee Harper.
 A
disappointing performance from the Saddlers, who you always thought
could raise there game a notch if they had to. We seemed content
with playing in front of there back four, rather than getting behind
it and causing them problems. Corica and Matias both did well when
introduced, as did Fryatt who looks to have goals in him.
We seem to have the same
defensive problems as we did last year. The only positive we can
take from the game is that Vinny Samways keeps on proving he is a
quality player. He looks like he is going to be a real star for us
this season, he never wastes the ball and covers a lot of ground
during a game. |
