The Saddlers went into Saturday on the back of a 1-0 defeat against Stockport County and manager Richard Money decided to make 2 changes to the side which lost that game with the two new wide men Kevin Cooper and Kevin Harper who joined the club on loan from Cardiff City and Stoke City respectively in midweek.

The Saddlers who needed to win this game to keep their hopes of winning the League 2 title alive started off the brightest with Scott Dann attempting to play Kevin Cooper through after just eight minutes but Robert Burch was able to gather the ball ahead of the new-boy.  Cooper had another chance on 12 minutes, when the ball was fed to The Saddlers midfielder, who managed to cut inside before firing a shot just over.

The visitors managed to take the lead on 21 minutes when a slip by youngster Scott Dann allowed Oliver Allen to beat Walsall ‘keeper Clayton Ince for his second goal of the week, the Barnet striker however, didn’t do himself any favours with his celebration which aggravated boo’s from The Saddlers faithful.

Chris Westwood was withdrawn from the action after just 25 minutes with a sore hamstring, this gave Craig Pead a chance to prove himself to manager Richard Money who has preferred to start with Westwood in Pead’s favoured right-back position this season.

The Saddlers pulled level just after the half hour mark, when Cooper’s cross in search of Trinidad and Tobago international Hector Sam took a wicked deflection off Barnet defender Ian Hendon which beat his own ‘keeper.

Richard Money’s side started off the second half on top with Michael Dobson skipping a couple of challenges to get a sight on goal but The Saddlers captain who has been up for a lot of criticism from Walsall supporters in recent weeks fired over the bar.  Dobson final got the goal he needed so much when he got on the end of Dean Keates’ free kick to give the home side the lead.

Mark Wright replaced Hector Sam on 62 minutes; this meant that on his return to Bescot Stadium Kevin Harper would partner Martin Butler upfront as Richard Money’s men looked to extend their lead.  The plan paid of just 3 minutes later when Harper played a neat 1-2 with Martin Butler before expertly slotting the ball past Burch in the Barnet goal to make the score 3-1.

A nervy moment followed for Walsall ‘keeper Clayton Ince, when he failed to deal with a high free-kick, however The Saddlers defence were able to deal with the danger and get the ball to safety.

The Saddlers extended their lead on 77 minutes when a Walsall corner was delivered long towards Harper who powered home his second and Walsall’s forth to secure Richard Money’s side three very valuable points. 

Shortly afterwards man of the match Harper was taken off to a standing ovation from all the Walsall supporters, this allowed Par Cederqvist to come on for Walsall and try and get his first goal of the season.

A Sinclair header landed just over as The Saddlers’ defence were caught flat footed before substitute Mark Wright went on a mazy run before having a shot at goal, which sailed inches wide. 

This was an excellent debut for Kevin Cooper and the dream return to Bescot Stadium for Kevin Harper and will both be hoping they and the rest of the team can put in a repeat performance away against Darlington next week.

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