4 Games unbeaten

Mariners 0-1 Saddlers

Nationwide League Division 1

Blundall Park, Cleethorpes

Saddlers Latest

Goals

- None

- None

Match Report By Alan no mates

Glorious sunshine. Top quality Haddock and a 1-0 victory to the Saddlers as we secured our Division 1 status for the third consecutive year. A fantastic Bank Holiday was had by all. 

Walsall controlled the majority of the match starting off brightly with crisp passing and inventiveness. Sadly, for the majority of the first half the passing and movement seemed to peter out every time we approached the penalty area. Even so, Walsall should have been at least two nil up prior to the break. 

On one occasion, Junior deftly chipped the ball over the onrushing Coyne only for Santos to calmly chest off the line. Jorge also missed a good opportunity when he blasted straight at the keeper from a tight angle. It must be stated however, that Grimsby were poor, very poor, in fact they were pants.

 Again, the second half started brightly and within 3 minutes the Saddlers had taken the lead. Excellent anticipation from Robinson won him the ball in the middle of the park. He then released Leitao who surged to the corner of the penalty area before releasing a powerful drive. Coyne, the Grimsby keeper was unable to hold onto the rasping drive and deflected the ball into Junior’s path who blasted the ball home (albeit via a ricochet of the post and a smack off the bar in the process).

 It was only during the last 20 minutes that Grimsby started to mount any pressure on the Saddlers defence and the closest they came to scoring was when Roper delicately headed over Walker onto his own bar. Again, the Saddlers had chances enough to win comfortably with Matias the guilty party as he missed two guilt edged one on ones after having been set up beautifully by Junior on both occasions. Man of the match Tony “they shall not pass” Barras was as solid as a rock. 

At the final whistle the Saddlers fans and players rejoiced having secured another season at this level. “COLIN LEE’S BARMY ARMY” the Saddlers’ sang. As the words tumbled from my mouth my thoughts immediately turned to our prospects for next year. ENOUGH. It’s been a long hard season. Time for a well earned Saddlers free break. All the best to one and all.

Player form by By 4two

• Walker - 1 notable first half save, kept another clean sheet.
• Wrack - Hot and Cold performance, caught one or two times.
• Aranalde - Backed off far to much, but did did get some good crosses in.
• Carbon - Didn't get injured ! Dominated in the air.
• Roper - Nearly scored an own goal (again !) but hit the bar. Good performance.
• Barass - Like Carbon, great in the air, solid on the deck.
• Robinson - Another good performance, did seem reluctant to stick his foot in at times.
• Lawrence - Ineffective, replaced by Mart.
• Samways - Ran the midfield well, good set pieces. 
• Junior - Not up to much apart from his goal.
• Leitao - Should have bagged himself a goal, good performance.
• O'Connor - Typical O'Connor.
• Corica - Pedro : Not much time to impress.

Reaction : 4two - A great day out and a win against a team who were desperate for points, cant complain ! Nice on lads.

Reaction : Paul Groves (GTFC Manager)  -I'm obviously very disappointed and not happy at the way the season has gone," he said. "This is a bad day for everyone connected with the club and we are hurt. Players futures are going to be at stake and relegation will bring about financial hardship.

Reaction : Colin Lee (WFC Manager)  -We must not forget that this is our fourth successive clean sheet, something that is not easy to do at that at this  level.