The Saddlers secured our first win in seven as we comprehensively beat relegation candidates Gillingham 3-0 at Priestfield.
Andy Cook grabbed his thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth goals of the season as he recorded his first hat trick in Walsall colours.
Dean Keates gave debut to Cameron Norman at right back with Nicky Devlin moving forward to right midfield as Keatesy looked to shore up the frail Walsall defence and it worked.
The Saddlers started the game brightly and went 1-0 up after just eight minutes. A free kick out on the right was swung in by Luke Leahy and Andy Cook raced in unmarked to bullet his header past the stranded Tomas Holy.
0-1 #Gills pic.twitter.com/kR2ppARE6d
— Matt on #Gills (@MJPhippsy) January 19, 2019
The Saddlers were 2-0 up moments later as former Gills winger Matt Jarvis raced to the byline and weighted a perfect cross for Andy Cook to head in.
0-2 #Gills pic.twitter.com/kERvwO8AWU
— Matt on #Gills (@MJPhippsy) January 19, 2019
The Saddlers went 3-0 up just after half time as Leahy again provided the ball in this time from a long throw and Cook prodded home for his hat trick.
0-3 #Gills pic.twitter.com/7zXNOd5PMp
— Matt on #Gills (@MJPhippsy) January 19, 2019
Scott Laird was named amongst the substitutes and came on with ten minutes remaining as he slotted into left back and Luke Leahy pushed onto left midfield. A formation you would imagine Keates will utilise away from home when we are needing to tighten up.
The Saddlers move upto 15th in the table and stretch the gap to five points from the relegation places.
That was a much needed win.
Relegation threatened Plymouth are up next…
