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Paul Merson led a young Walsall side to victory over Hednesford Town at Keys Park tonight and also opened his goal scoring account.

 Merse was joined in the starting line up by Steve Corica, Gary Birch, Mark Wright and Kris Taylor, while ex Saddler Stuart Ryder played in central defence for the Pitmen. The game was delayed for a few minutes, due to scores of Walsall fans turning up to see the new signing. 

Merse was pulling the strings in midfield and opened the scoring on 18 minutes. He began the move in the center circle, fed the ball out wide to Birch and then ran into the box to meet the striker’s cross with a deft flick at the back post which flew in despite an attempted goal line clearance from a home defender.

 In fact, Merse could and should have had a first half hat trick; with the goal gaping, he met another right wing cross but was unable to turn the ball home. The Pitmen also came close to scoring, but when keeper Aaron Kerr was eventually beaten, Gavin Caines was on hand to make the goal line clearance. 

Birch – playing alone up front – then came close with a deft lob which just cleared the bar. Birch was replaced at half time as was the ineffective Aussie, Corica. The Saddlers went with a three pronged attack consisting of Hawley, Bishop and Fryatt in the second half. Merson came out for the second half also, but it was Matty Fryatt who doubled the lead. 

The promising youngster held onto the ball superbly inside the area, picking himself up after falling – still with the ball – to turn and slot home. Hednesford pushed forward late on, going close when a shot flew just over. 

Kerr was forced into a decent save low to his left also, but Walsall could have scored more on the break; Fryatt and Hawley both guilty of greediness in front of goal. Mark Wright motored down the flanks, Taylor looked steady in midfield whilst Fryatt was always a threat but the star of the show, undoubtedly and expectedly, was Magic Merse…just wait until he’s match fit!