The FA Cup is Back! It is one of the oldest competitions in English football and a fan favourite, and one that Matt Taylor clearly wants to do well in.
Walsall started their campaign with an away trip to King Lynn Town F.C. The Linnets are 21st in The National League and hadn’t scored in over 400 minutes of football. Most Walsall fans were confident going into the game however there was a feeling this could be a classic Walsall Banana skin.
Walsall did what was expected inside 90 minutes, thanks to a Brendan Kiernan goal, a tough game for the Saddlers on a bobbly pitch.
Taylor was mostly pleased with the performance of his players, he had this to say after the game:
“I challenged the players before the game to make sure that we were in the hat for the next round of the cup, and we’ve done that. These games are never easy. I thought in the second half, we relinquished possession too easily and we probably over played on the pitch.”
It’s clear to see that Matt Taylor is going to take the FA cup seriously, putting out a full strength side showed he wants to progress through the rounds and not take any chances. With his side building some momentum in the league it would be easy for Taylor to rest players in the early rounds of the cup, it’s great to see him wanting success on all fronts and expecting his players to give 110% no matter the opposition.
Brendan Kiernan managed to get his foot onto the end of a Hayden White cross for the first and only goal of the game. The Right back had a really strong game getting an assist and showing his ability to fly forward and join the attack. Other names thrown into the mix for Man of the Match were Rollin Menayese and Joss Labadie who have both been superb this season. However it was the Right Back who was voted MOTM.
Walsall have drawn Swindon Town at home in the second round of the cup. Swindon currently sit 5th in League Two. Walsall will play them twice in the month of December, once in the FA cup at home and away in the league. It won’t be an easy second round for the Saddlers, however Taylor and his team will be desperate to win and get to the 3rd round.
Written by Harley Sheldon.
