By 4two
September 10 2002

Walsall 1-0 Shrewsbury Town - Junior and Jorge Leitao look to be forming what could well be the partnership that will maintain the Saddlers first division status this season. Even though Walsall were never convincing they still could have won by 4 or 5 with Junior, Matias and Leitao all going close.

Walsall 1-0 Shrewsbury

Goals:   Leitao 23' (Walsall)

 Man of the Match:  Leitao (Walsall)

Walsall: Walker, Roper, Hay, Carbon, Bazeley, , O'Connor, Sonner, Aranalde, Leitao, Corica, Junior

Subs: Matias, Zdrilic, Herivelto, Junior, Ward.

Shrewsbury Town Dunbavin, Thompson, Drysdale, Murray, Redmile, Van Blerk,  Low, Rodgers, Atkins,  Jemson, J Tolley 

Subs: Wilding, Kendal, Stevens, Moss, G Tolley

Just over 3000 witnessed Walsall cruise past a Shrewsbury side who battled hard but lacked the quality of there old rivals Walsall.

Brazilian forward Junior made his full debut for the Saddlers, and during the first half looked a class above every other player on the pitch. His flicks and his touch were second to none and he peeled of the forward line to collect the ball on a number of occasions and linked well with the hard working Leitao, he isn't afraid to have shot either, with a 25 yard pile driver just going over the bar in the first half. 

Junior created the goal when ounce he again he dropped off the forward line, picked up the ball and played in Leitao, who raced clear in to the penalty box and hammered his shot past the  Shrews keeper.

10 minutes later Junior proved his aerial prowess when he fired a header towards the cross bar from a corner. He did however seem to have problems with the physical nature of the game, and was constantly complaining to ref, which earned  him a booking.  

Shrewsbury did have there chances, the pacy Rodgers was marked closely by Ian Roper,  but he managed to wriggle free a couple of times in the first half but his finishing wasn't good enough to trouble Walsall. The best Town chance fell to Murray on the stroke of half time, but he too missed the target.

Half Time: Walsall 1-0 Shrewsbury Town.

The Second Half will be remembered for its missed chances and the interruptions in play from the referee and substitutions.  Junior seemed to have ran out of steam, and Jorge Leitao worked tirelessly upfront which earned him the SaddlersFc man of the Match award.

The chances of goals in the second half was dealt a blow when Rodgers came of injured, and Junior and Corica were replaced by Zdrilic and Matias. During the second period, Leitao had a header that came in off the post and Pedro Matias had an effort that was cleared of the Shrewsbury line.

Town did press forward more in the second half, with an Atkins effort being saved by Walsall late in the second half. It was Walsall's David Zdrilic who had the best chance to score in the second half with his shot at the far post saved by the Town keeper.

It was clear during passages of the game that Walsall had far more quality in there side, and that the hoof it, physical Shrewsbury Side were going to be consigned to another year in the basement, and I think all Saddlers Fans should thank Bonser et al for building a club that is no longer on  a par with the likes of Shrewsbury Town.

Full Time: Walsall 1-0 Shrewsbury Town.

Summing up.

Walsall still looked shaky at times, and if it wasn't for the poor standard of the opposition could have conceded 2 or 3 goals today. Walsall fans must have wandered what all the Luke Rodgers fuss was about, he only had one or two chances and his finishing was poor. I think town fans now relies why no "big" club have yet made a move for Rodgers. Talking of finishing, it was a mixed night for Leitao. He took his chance well, but could have had 3 or maybe 4 goals any other day, hopefully Jorge's confidence will slowly grown, his work rate was outstanding today. The 1-0 Scoreline flattered Town, who could have easily been on the end of a 5 goal spanking. IF we can get Junior performing for a full 90 minutes and not whining to the referee, then I think we have a gem. Another positive point was that all 14 players completed the game without being forced to leave the field of play, Sonner was one of our best players today. We have to stop playing in patches and put in a "90 minute performance".

Player Ratings

Walker 7, Bazeley 7, Aranalde 8, Hay 8, Carbon 8, Roper 8, Corica 7, O'Connor 8, Sonner 8, Leitao 9, Junior 9, SUBS- Zdrilic 7, Matias 8, Wrack 5.