Harriers 4-3 Walsall | Report | Player Reviews
By 4two
July 26 2004
Another defeat against League 2 Opposition. This game was better, more entertaining and gave us a number of positives to take back to the Bescot !
|
| |||||||||
| DEANO DOES THE BIZ FOR KIDDY | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| |||||||||
|
| |||||||||
 TBC | |||||||||
 McKinney, Willetts, Bennett, Standing, Emblen, Roper, Wrack (D. Taylor), Fryatt, Birch (Williams), Merson, Wright (Broad). Unused: Paston, Aranalde. | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||
| The Saddlers got off to a good start with Birch putting us ahead after just 3 minutes with a well placed header.
We were two up after 15 minutes when Matty Fryatt placed an inch perfect shot in to the corner of the Kiddy goal. It should have been plain sailing from here, but Kiddy made a game of the first half and had a number of chances to get back in to the game - and they did on the stroke of half time. Diop was the scorer with a splendid shot - an effort he will struggle to emulate again this season. At least with the arrival of half time we had a moment to regroup - but Kiddy carried on from where they had left off Mellon took advantage of some slopply marking to put Kiddy level. We were playing some nice stuff and it was more cohesive than we had seen in previous matches. Merse was still pulling the strings and looking quite good. We went on to take the lead again, this time with Matty Fryatt showing just why he is a massive favorite with Walsall fans. He lost his markers with some great footwork before rounding the keeper and putting us ahead with a cool finish. It didn't take the Harriers long to peg us back again. This time their goal came from a penalty as McKinney clashed with Brown in the area. Foster stepped up to make the score 3-3. Our chances dried up and the game looked like it was petering out for a draw. That was until Dean Keates decided to have his say. The former Walsall hero slammed home a rasping long range effort to make the score 4-3 and win the game at the death. | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||
 WRIGHT, Mark - Struggled to get involved in the game. Seemed off the pace at times. Had the odd good moment. Needs to improve to build on last season. 5/10 | |||||||||
 EMBLEN, Neil - Another strong performance from the Walsall skipper. He hasn't had a bad game yet this pre-season. MOTM Contender yet again. 8/10 | |||||||||
 ROPER, Ian - A typical solid Roper performance. No nonsense, went about his business without making a fuss. Has a good understanding with Emblen. 7/10 | |||||||||
 WRACK, Darren - Didn't sparkle as much as he had in other games, but he has probably clocked up more game time than anyone else in our squad so far this pre season. 6/10 | |||||||||
 STANDING, Michael - He gets through a lot of work, but the quality many expected doesn't shine through. He is one of those Osborn, Porter, Darren Bradley type midfielders. 6/10 | |||||||||
| BROAD, Joe -We didn't get much of a look at him. Would be nice to see a bit more. He didn't let anyone down. Then again, he didn't make anyone think, "God Sign him up !" 5/10 | |||||||||
 BIRCH, Gary -A better Gary Birch performance - but still not good enough to make some fans think he should start up front with Jorge. Took his goal well. 6/10 | |||||||||
 MERSON, Paul - Merse is looking good. Maybe the pace of Pre-Season suits him. He is getting on the ball and trying to create 7/10 | |||||||||
 MCKINNEY, Richard - At last a real chance to see him in action. He doesn't look bad. There were some cracking goals today. Could have done better with the penalty. 6/10 | |||||||||
| WILLETTS, Ryan -A first chance to have a good look at the First Year Pro. Most people won't be that convinced. But we have to give him time 5/10 | |||||||||
| BENNETT, JULIAN - Did his first team prospects no harm what so ever. Looks good on the ball. Lacks the experience of playing first team footy - which does show 6/10 | |||||||||
 FRYATT, Matty - One of his better games in the First XI. This performance will have raised expectations amongst fans. His two goals today were special. 8/10 | |||||||||
| WILLIAMS, Leroy - It's a shame we didn't get to see more of the man who stole the show at Moor Green in the week. Had a couple of good touches 6/10 | |||||||||
 TAYLOR, Daryl - What an exciting talent. Another decent outing from the best find this pre-season. Surely worth a start V Man U or Villa?. 7/10 | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||
| FANS VIEW - Add your views about the match by filling in the form below. |