Walsall v Scunthorpe United

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Football League One

Walsall :
Ince, Palmer, Gerrard, Smith, Boertien, Nicholls (Demontagnac 76), Hughes, Taundry, Zaaboub (Deeney 86), Ibehre, Reich
Subs not used:
Gilmartin, Bradley, Sansara

Scunthorpe United :
Lillis, Byrne, Iriekpen, Mirfin (sent off 10), Williams, Thompson, McCann, Togwell, Hurst (Morris 83), Hayes (May 59), Hooper (Wright 67)
Subs not used:
Slocombe, Woolford

OPPOSITION VIEW

FROM THE EXPRESS AND STAR

IT could easily have been one of those days but instead it was a day to savour for Jimmy Mullen.

His new-look Walsall team clinched their first League win of the season, with the added bonus of being in front of their own fans.

A goal down with the clock ticking just into its second minute, the frustration of seeing chances being created and missed, when three points were just asking to be collected, it could all easily have gone pear-shaped.

They were facing 10 men for 80 minutes but as they had proved themselves just four days earlier, that statistic can prove to be a handicap.

As the clock ticked into the last two minutes of normal time, Walsall finally got their reward and the relief from the pitch, dug-out and stands was almost audible.

It would be interesting to see the chances created and shots on target ratio. While the first would have been encouraging for Mullen, he might not take much comfort from the latter.

A late winner put such negative thoughts on the back burner for another day. There was little doubt that the mood in the Walsall camp was a celebratory one and deservedly so.

Walsall had to wait a long time for their first win last season and even longer for it to be achieved in front of their own fans. So on that basis, the Saddlers are already ahead of his predecessor Richard Money.

Whether they will take as much time to become the finished article remains to be seen. Jabo Ibehre could not have wished for a better start.

He admits that for the first time, he is out of his "comfort zone", making his first move from Leyton Orient to Walsall.

Two goals in successive League games that have sealed four points is proof enough that he can fill the boots of Tommy Mooney and does not need the presence of Michael Ricketts to be effective.

It looked as though he was destined to be the sole striker, by the way they lined up with Alex Nicholls and Marco Reich giving him support from midfield.

That tactic went out of the window when Garry Thompson made the Saddlers pay for some sloppy defending - again in the early stages of a game - by scoring in the second minute.

It was not the start that had been anticipated and it could easily have gone downhill from that moment.

Ibehre was quickly on to a mistake by David Mirfin and forced the man making his Scunthorpe debut into a professional foul and a red card. What followed, was pure class.

Reich had sat the first two games on the bench, coming into the fray at late stages when the experience he says probably suggested a more active role.

His free kick from the edge of the penalty area, high enough to go over the wall and enough swerve to take it out of reach of the goalkeeper.

Coming so quickly after such a disastrous start it was the tonic and the encouragement they needed.

As Scunthorpe tried to re-form, Walsall were able to create some excellent chances that, in future have to be taken if their approach work is to be rewarded.

Nicholls caused problems on the right, with one cross eluding both Reich and Sofiene Zaaboub and then the youngster missing another chance, simply because to fell to his left foot.

In general their approach work promised that they would find a way through. Walsall's problem was the longer it went on, they had to rely on their fans not giving way to frustration.

As the game went on, it was clear that Scunthorpe had one thing on their mind, to escape with a point, especially as they suffered a League defeat and a League Cup defeat in the first week.

Still, Walsall were the team driving forward, seeing a sight of goal, the salvation of a win and then failing to deliver.

It was then that Mullen sent on Ishmel Demontagnac, quickly followed by Troy Deeney. It was the appearance of Demontagnac that was to have the biggest influence.

A couple of substitute appearances was probably not what many fans expected of this talented youngster. His superb first touch that led to Ibehre's goal might just the push he has needed to give his manager.

He returned Ibehre's pass with precision, with just enough pace for the striker to find the net and seal Walsall's win.

Even the shock of seeing six extra minutes being shown by the fourth official was not the nail biter it usually is in this situation, especially as half that number was used by the referee in a somewhat comical attempt of restarting play with a Walsall free kick.

Walsall, themselves had smiles on the faces at the end of the game. They would have broader if they had not left it so late.