We Finally Won A Game!

After three hundred and sixty minutes the Saddlers finally got a win albeit we were gifted the three points thanks to a sublime diving header by Bury defender Adam Thompson.

Walsall boss Dean Keates made one change to the side which had lost 1-0 against Portsmouth a week earlier with Justin Shaibu coming in for Julian Ngoy, a surprise to many.

The Saddlers were the better side in the first half and should have been a couple of goals to the good by halftime. Shaibu was first denied by former Saddlers keeper Joe Murphy. Flo Cuvelier went close moments later as he picked up a loose ball but his half-volley ended up in the stands – Flo should have got the effort on target at least.

If there are two certainties in life – death and Morris firing wide. Morris had two chances approaching half time but both were fluffed wide. Here’s hoping that next season Morris can get back to his former self under Dean Keates.

It was the visitors who were the more lively in the second half with former loanee Zeli Ismail causing problems, yet again Ismail proved what we are missing down the flank and I would hope we can try and sign him for next season.

Ismail was instrumental in the next Bury attack as he weaved his way past Nicky Devlin before firing a powerful drive across the box but Bury were unable to poke it home.

Moments later Danns whipped a cross in for James Hanson but he somehow headed wide.

Ismail then tried his luck, picking up a ball from distance before running at the shakey (but forever improving Saddlers back line) before forcing Roberts into a superb stop. If anyone was going to score it would be Bury, and it was – just in the wrong net!

Luke Leahys perfectly weighted cross was heading for Julian Ngoy, however, Adam Thompson stopped down to fire a diving header past the stranded Joe Murphy. The Tile Choice erupted.

For the first time in months the stadium was rocking with many chanting ‘Dean Keates Barmy Army’ and dare I say it people walked out the stadium with smiles on their faces. Long may it continue.

One thing is for certain we now find ourselves five points clear of the drop zone. Four more points should do it and we can then start the post-mortem on where it all went wrong this season and Deano can start to decide which players he wants to keep and which players he wants to cut short their two year stingy with Walsall.

Special mention to a few players, Jack Fitzwater was superb again. When Bielik signed in January you expected Jack to play second fiddle but with Bieliks injury Fitzwater has come in and steadied to Walsall defence. Time and time yesterday he cut out quite a few Bury attacks.

Final mention goes to Baka. He has had some stick this season but he put in a real shift yesterday and came close to ending his rot without scoring, it’s amazing what a new manager can do for a player and long may it continue.

We now head to Oldham on Wednesday knowing a victory will more or less secure our League 1 future. We will be there bringing you kick by kick on all our social media channels.