Walsall are on a high tonight after a comprehensive 3-1 win away to Carlisle United.
The Saddlers were in command from the beginning and didn’t bow their heads throughout the 90 minutes. Gill opened the scoring deservedly on minute 38, before Gray took the Saddlers 0-3 up in the second half. The Cumbrians took a clean sheet from Walsall in stoppage time as Murphy pulled one back.
Loanee Jason Price sat the game out as he was unable to play against his parent club. This meant Taundry started in the midfield as Nicholls went alongside Jon Macken.
The first half started as Walsall took command and saw much of the ball. The Cumbrians looked seldom of attacking and allowed Walsall play to flow. The defence looked solid and each player across the pitch putting in a decent shift. Nicholls looked eager and worked alongside Macken well.
A goal for Walsall deservedly came from Gill in the 37th minute. Jon Macken played the ball excellently to Nicholls and the ball fell to the loanee who lashed into the net. 0-1. Walsall were on top and looking spritely.
Nicholls dragged the ball wide as the half came to a close after good work by Taundry, Richards and Lescott.
Walsall came out for the second half every bit as determined as the first and, despite a few shaky moments, they remained the better team.
Craig Curran had a stab at the goal on 50 minutes but the shot went way over the bar.
Macken then went close but the shot cleared.
Julian Gray scored the first of his brace on 58 minutes. The ball went from the Walsall goal the length of the field, the Carlisle stood there and watched Gray get on the end of the ball, past the goalie and making no mistake of doubling their lead. 0-2. Walsall rejoiced they were finally being handed dream goals and were firmly in the driving seat.
Walsall looked nervy but in control as the game rolled forward, they needed another goal to be certain, as all Walsall supporters know how easily it can all be thrown away. Carlisle seemed to be plugging away, but all the time succumbing to defeat.
However, Walsall’s ask for a goal was answered when Gray struck again. Good work by Nicholls saw the left winger in the ideal position to fire home. 0-3. Slick work from across the field in Westlake, Macken and Gill also contributed to the goal, reflecting the promising team spirit.
As Saddlers held out for a much sought after clean sheet, Walsall continued to impress.
Hardworking Gill was replaced by Marshall on 78 minutes.
Marshall did some excellent work to tee up Macken in the centre of the box, but Macken let the ball go wide.
Carlisle pulled one back in stoppage time as Peter Murphy took advantage of a corner and put the ball away. Walsall fans didn’t care, as they were in full voice throughout and throughly glad their old Walsall were peeking through.
And that was it, rousing claps and cheers greeted the players at the end as they showed appreciation for the support. Another win and now inbeaten in four. What a turnaround! We now go into next weeks game with confidence taken from the even 10 goals in 7 days! This also takes us off the bottom as our relegation rivals’ results went in our favour. Third from bottom as the great escape rides on. In a strange coincidence, Gray’s brace mirrors Richards’s two in the home game and it is the first team we have won at home and away! Good day!
Comes On The Saddlers!
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