The Super Saddlers continued their great start to the season with a win against the under performing Cherries. A last gasp strike by the prolific George Bowerman sent the travelling Saddlers home with all three points to pile more pressure on the under fire Bournemouth boss Paul Groves.
Walsall manager Dean Smith, kept an unchanged team that beat Preston 3-1 last weekend. Bournemouth brought in England goalkeeper David James and Edgar Davids cousin- Lorenzo, to try and rectify their poor start to the season.
Walsall started slowly but Bournemouth failed to make their possession count. The game didn’t spring into life until Eunan O`Kane fired a tame shot wide. Shortly afterwards Walsall defender Ben Purkiss also shot wide.
Walsall skipper Andy Butler was starting to cause the Bournemouth defence problems and it was that man again on 41 minutes, that met a precise cross from James Baxendale to header the ball past former England goalkeeper David James. A goal which was a little harsh on Bournemouth.
HT
Bournemouth 0
Walsall 1
Butler (41)
Bournemouth had the first real chance of the second half, when Eunan O’Kane had a fine strike well saved by Walsall goalkeeper Karl Darlow.
This fired Walsall to a numerous amount of efforts on goal. First Will Grigg capitalised on an error by David James but failed to take his chance. Moments later Flo Cuvelier hit a stunning volley that just inched over.
Walsall were easily on top, until the subsitution of replacing James Baxendale with Richard Taundry. Walsall started to sit deeper and deeper and were made to pay on 82 minutes as Charlie Daniels got himself onto a loose ball to fire past Karl Darlow.
At this point we all expected the draw, but it was the man of the moment George Bowerman to score the winner. A corner from Jamie Paterson was nodded down by that that man again, Andy Butler that landed at Bowerman’s feet and the striker hooked his shot past the hopeless David James. That took Bowerman’s tally to six for the season. A remarkable achievement for someone who wasnt seen as a regular during pre-season!
Deep into injury time, Walsall ‘keeper Karl Darlow again pulled off a great save from Wes Fogdens close range effort as the hosts went for a late equalizer, the deflection fell to Demouge whose overhead kick went wide.
At the full time whistle the home fans got restless and vented their anger at Paul Groves (a man on borrowed time).
Walsall held on for the win, to send them 6th in League 1.
FT
Bournemouth 1
(Daniels 82)
Walsall 2
Butler (41) Bowerman (89)
Attendance 4,951
A great start by Ginger Mourinho and co.
Can we dare to dream???
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