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Match Report: Walsall v Lincoln City

Bescot
By David Penniall February 17 2007
After a disappointing defeat against fellow promotion hunting side Hartlepool United, Richard Money’s Walsall side were hoping to get three points against another of their promotion chasing rivals Lincoln City in a game, which was been labelled as ‘the biggest game of the season’ for both sides.

The Saddlers made 3 changes to the side, which was beaten by Hartlepool last weekend with long serving central defender Ian Roper, Kris Taylor and Hector Sam coming into the side, with Swedish striker Par Cederqvist and Scott Dann, who were dropped to The Saddlers’ bench while winger/striker Tony Bedeau was dropped out of the 16 completely, it was however a shock that the impressive central defender Scott Dann, who scored that amazing strike in The Saddlers’ last home game against Rochdale, was dropped to the bench.

 

After captain Michael Dobson lost the ball in the midfield for Richard Money’s men, Lincoln managed to take the lead through Spencer Weir-Daley, who was played through on goal before the striker on loan from Nottingham Forest neatly tucked the ball beyond Clayton Ince.

 

The lead didn’t last long however, within a minute The Saddlers’ were back on level terms as a break down the left hand side, saw the ball played into Walsall striker Hector Sam and the Trinidad and Tobago international made no mistake when slotting the ball past Alan Marriott, much to the delight of the Walsall supporters.

 

There were then loud appeals for a penalty when right back Craig Pead made a clumsy challenge but the referee waved the protests away, but The Imps won a free kick just moments later, with the ball been situated in a dangerous position, Clayton Ince in The Saddlers goal was relieved to see Jeff Hughes fire well over.

 

Just before the half hour mark, Mark Wright whipped a bal in towards the far post which was headed back across by Daniel Fox at the far post but again the visitors managed to scramble the ball clear when under pressure, minutes later Hector Sam had a great attempt at goal but Alan Marriott got the slightest of touches to steer the ball wide of the target, as Walsall looked to take the lead.

 

With just four minutes left to go of the first half, Lincoln City took the lead once more against the run off play, where a loose ball in ball in the middle of the par saw Weir-Daley beat the offside trap to fire his shot past Clayton Ince.

 

Although many fans believe he should of started the game, Scott Dann was brought on to replace Michael Dobson in the half time interval, this change meant that Dann would partner Roper at centre back while Chris Westwood was pushed to right back, while Craig Pead was moved into midfield.

 

Clayton Ince looked nervy as the half started with Roper coming to his rescue, when the long serving centre half had to clear off the line after the Trinidad and Tobago international spilled when attempting to catch a cross.

 

Hector Sam found Martin Butler with a header just past the hour mark but Marriott who was able to gather at the second attempt after blocking Martin Butler’s shot, before Darren Wrack came on to replace Kris Taylor on 63 minutes, although some fans believed that Ishmel Demontagnac would have been a more attack minded substitution.

 

With 20 minutes left to go there was another change made with January signing Par Cederqvist coming on to replace Hector Sam and the Swedish striker was involved straight away as he was crowded out as he tried to let off with a shot, however the ball eventually found it’s way to Craig Pead who’s low effort was blocked on it’s way towards goal.

 

Daniel Fox delivered a long free-kick into the danger zone which fell to Scott Dann whose close range show failed to beat Alan Marriott in the Lincoln goal, Fox was then booked for a foul on Stallard but with Walsall on top, Richard Money’s men couldn’t make the possession count.

 

This is a big blow to The Saddlers promotion run and The Saddlers will be looking for wins in both of their games next week against Stockport County away in midweek and when they return home against Barnet on Saturday.

 

Teams

Walsall FC

V

Lincoln City

1

Clayton Ince (GK)

 

1

Alan Marriott (GK)

2

Craig Pead

 

2

Lee Beevers

3

Daniel Fox

 

5

Paul Morgan

5

Chris Westwood

 

7

Lee Frecklington

6

Ian Roper

 

9

Mark Stallard

8

Michael Dobson (45)

 

11

Scott Kerr (89)

9

Martin Butler

 

12

Nicky Eaden

10

Hector Sam (71)

 

14

Ryan Amoo

12

Dean Keates

 

23

Nat Brown

14

Mark Wright

 

24

Jeff Hughes

15

Kris Taylor (62)

 

34

Spencer Weir-Daley (87)

Substitutes

 

Substitutes

7

Darren Wrack (62)

 

3

Paul Mayo

16

Par Cederqvist (71)

 

4

Adie Mosses

20

Ishmel Demontagnac

 

6

Paul Green (87)

24

Scott Dann (45)

 

20

Owain Wallow (89)

41

Bertrand Bossu (GK)

 

27

Leon Mettam

 

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