No goals? Cov City 0-0 Walsall - Report


By Alan Stokes
August 18 2003

The last three games between these two sides have now ended goalless. Walsall were hardly inspiring, while Coventry were disappointing in front of goal. Moor Green Vs Saddlers Preview New Page 3 Moor Green Vs Saddlers Preview Moor Green Vs Saddlers Preview

Walsall

Walsall

1 Point closer to the end

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Coventry City 0-0 Walsall
Date - 12/9/03
Location - Highfield Road
Attendance - 15,377

Carlisle

Walsall

Konjic

Walker

Staunton

Bazeley*
Safri Aranalde
McAllister Roper
Barrett Emblen
Suffo Samways
*Adebola Osborn
Shearer Corica
Whing Leitao**
Doyle Merson
Warnock Hay
Subs Subs
Davenport Matias
Jorgenson Kerr
*Morrell Oakes
Brush Wrack*
Pipe Birch**
Date: 16/8/03 Reporter: Alan Stokes

On Line: 18:30pm

Walsall left Highfield Road today having stolen a point .The Saddlers started brightly enough attempting to maintain possession. However, on numerous occasions Walsall gave the ball away much too cheaply.

On the quarter hour mark Bazeley attempted a diabolical pass across his own penalty area straight into the path of Suffo who somehow failed to put the Sky Blues in front. As the game continued Coventry took control. They looked a very slick outfit, passing the ball very well and attacking with width. Patrick Suffo was particularly lively whilst man mountain Adebola was proving a real handful for the Saddlers rearguard.

The only real effort Walsall had during the first half was a Merson shot from outside the box which sailed high and wide. Coventry on the other hand wasted a hat full of chances with Walker pulling off his customary heroics in goal.

The second half continued with Coventry piling pressure onto the Saddlers defence. It seemed as if the breakthrough was about to arrive when some theatricals from Suffo in the box from an Emblen challenge resulted in the eager official pointing straight to the spot.

Fortunately, McCallister's spot kick rebounded off the post for Walker to claim.

As the game wore on Saddlers seemed to be content to try and hit Coventry on the break with Corica running the ball into attacking positions but sadly without much support. Walsall's only real second half chance came as Corica rifled a shot from outside the box inches past the far post.

With 15 minutes to go Coventry were reduced to 10 men with Safri given his marching orders for some more theatricals in the Saddlers box under the challenge of Aranalde. Even with 10 men, Coventry piled on the pressure and it was with much relief to the travelling fans when the match official blew up for full time.

Man of the match contenders were Walker for keeping the Saddlers in the game and Corica for his continual probing. All in all, a very valuable point against a good looking Sky Blues.

Click To Preview Walsall 0-0 Cov City, sounds familiar! Coventry had more chances, Gary Macs penalty being the best.
Click To Preview Not a bad crowd for an unattractive game. 2000 or so Saddlers made up  part of the 15,000. 
Click To Preview You couldn't argue with the penalty, it was clumsy of Emblen. No Saddlers went in the book, Safri walked for 2 bookable offences, the second a dive. Staunton was also booked.
Click To PreviewCannock - Delighted with a point today in a match that Coventry should have won at a canter. We were guilty of conceding possession far to easily
Click To PreviewFish - I did not think that we showed enough ambition to want to win the game
Click To Preview Singingshiver - Emblen was unlucky with the penalty, but the referee had no choice but to give it
Click To PreviewSkyBlue Personally I think you were lucky to get a point but Walker kept you in the game.

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