Millers 1 saddlers 2

Scored
By Admin
August 6 2005

A last second goal from Jorge Leitao grabbed all three points as Saddlers defeated Rotherham at Millmoor. Kris Taylor notched the first after 3 minutes before Butler gave the Millers a deserved equaliser on the stroke of half time.

THETEAMS

^THE^TEAMS

^{Walsall
: Oakes, Pead, Bennett, Gerrard, Fox ,Wright, Standing,
Osborn, Kris Taylor, Wrack, Fryatt}

^{Subs:
Coleman, Kinsella, Dann, Leitao, Larossa}

^Millers:^{Butler, Burton, Murdoch, Campbell-Ryce, Hoof it, Boot it and Whack it}

^THE^GOALS

^{Walsall (4 mins)}^{- Excellent play by Fryatt took him past 3 defenders. He pulled it back to
Taylor who nipped in front of his marker to prod home}

^{Millers (43 mins)}^{- Burton crossed to the unmarked Butler who nodded firmly past Oakes}

^{Walsall (93 mins)}^{- Leitao chips it deftly over the keeper from the edge of the box. Laugh Out
Loud, he sliced it over his head and it somehow drifted in.}

^MATCH^SUMMARY

^{Saddlers
dominated the first 30 minutes with fast attacking football. Excellent play
by Fryatt took him past the Millers defence who then crossed for the
unmarked}^{Taylor to prod home.}

Taylor was guilty of not increasing Saddlers lead after an excellent through ball from Standing left him one on one with Montgomery. The keeper came out on top.

Montgomery again denied Taylor with a breath taking save from Taylor's free kick and Fryatt also had a good chance well saved.

Rotherham came more into the game as the first half wore on. They used their muscle to out battle and intimidate the small saddlers midfield.

On the stroke of half time they gained a deserved equaliser from the one and only Martin Butler. He gave Oakes no chance from a pin point cross. Mind you, there wasn't a defender within 5 yards of him.

Rotherham upped the tempo after the break with their continual high balls into the box. The Walsall midfield tired with the big Millers powering through them. As Saddlers held out for a point Leitao popped up at the other end and somehow sliced one over the keeper into the top corner. Marvellous.

^THEPOSITIVES

The defence was excellent second half. Although Rotherham always looked threatening, they never actually threatened if you get my drift. Full credit goes to Bennett and Gerrard for keeping out the bombardment. Daniel Fox played a blinder keeping the nippy Campbell-Ryce at bay.

^THE^NEGATIVES

^{After
a lively start the midfield struggled against the physical Rotherham lads.}

^PLAYER^REPORTS

^Oakes^|^{Handled well and commanded his area. Took
a nasty blow to the head from Butler mid way through the first half}
^Pead^|^{Didn't do anything wrong}

^Bennett^{| Played
well in the heart of the defence. Went AWOL for Butler's equaliser but
pulled off a tremendous tackle to deny Butler in the second}

^{Gerrard
|}^{Strong
as an ox.}

^Fox^|^{Star Man. Magnificent in keeping Campbell-Ryce quiet.
Came in with some brilliant tackles. Great play.}

^Wrack^|^{Waste
of space. Won not one header from Oakes' goal kicks to him.}

^Osborn^|^{Anonymous really as Rotherham by passed the midfield with
their big hoof's up field.}

^Taylor^|^{Scored one, missed one and denied by a brilliant save. Non stop running.
Star of the midfield.}

^Standing^|^{great first half, laid the ball on to Fryatt for the first
and threaded through to Taylor who later missed. Vanished second half.}

^Wright^|^{Never in the game, replaced later on for Leitao.}

^Fryatt^|^{Great first half, laid on the goal and
gave the Millers defence a torrid time. Got lost second half}

^Leitao^|^{Sliced in the winner and won more than
Wrighty on the right flank all afternoon}