Walsall 0-1 Yeovil Town

Woeful Walsall lost to Yeovil Town and have been sent to the bottom of the table.

It was the same story for the Saddlers as they failed to seize chances that came their way, and lacked any real creativity. The Saddler fans also suffered déjà vu from Hartlepool, as they conceded the goal from a freekick from the right hand side and put away from the left.

The Saddlers were unchanged from the last 2 games, with Alex Nicholls slotting in right wing.

The game started fairly evenly and flat, waiting until 20 minutes gone for even a shot on target. It eventually came when Richards set up McGivern, the ball going to Gray before coming back to Mcgivern, but the shot was saved. This was followed up a string of crosses between Nicholls, Davis, Richards, McGivern, Reid, Lescott, Nicholls and Macken, but the ball was easily cleared by Yeovil.

Nicholls  looked a little disorientated on the wing throughout the first half, too many times beaten by his defender.

A similar run, the few glimpses of hope Walsall showed during the first half, was played out on the half hour mark, but the chance was easily cleared by a stronger Yeovil team.

Reid and Macken had quiet games, with neither looking like they were going to do anything special.

As the first half drew to a close, a mix up between defenders Lancashire, McGivern and Smith were lucky not to be punished as a Yeovil danger beckoned.

The second half, which has become an increasingly nail-biting part of the match for fans, started positively.

Walsall came agonisingly close early on as a Saddler free kick, taken by Matthew Richards, found Alex Nicholls who saw his shot pushed to safety by glovers’ keeper Henderson.

McGivern saw a shot saved a few minutes later after being set up by Richards, Macken and Reid. Saddlers on top for a time, but lacking the guile and finesse to create goals and overrun their opponents.

Macken had a definite chance a few minutes later, but failed to put the Saddlers in the lead as he put the shot to the right of the goal.

Reuben Reid left the field on 68 minutes to make way for youngster Will Grigg.

Yeovil found their goal on 69 minutes. David Davis gave a free kick away from the right of goal, with Gavin Williams taking. The ball came nicely to Adam Virgo in a central position to nod into the goal. 0-1. 

The Saddlers had a hill to climb and did not look like getting to the top.

Yeovil came close to strengthening their lead on 72 minutes after a corner, but the shot was put over the bar by Sam Williams.

Youngster Paterson came on for Alex Nicholls 13 minutes from time.

Richards was left seething on 80 minutes as he took a few kick, but his ball went begging to the right of the goal and out of danger, his teammates not moving quick enough to capitalise on the set piece. It was just a drop in the ocean of missed chances for the sparkless Saddlers. 

Oliver Lamcashire was replaced by  Clayton McDonald shortly after.

Brain was named Man of The Match by the sponsors, reflecting the poor performance of the outfield.

Grigg missed a sitter late on as the ball flashed past the goal, but it was not meant to be.

At that was it. 6 defeats in 7 games. There is little in the way of improvement or developments than a month ago. Saddlers are looking cagey, uninspired and now at the bottom of the table. 

We welcome Exeter to the Banks’s next week. Let’s all pray before then.