By Mister Happy
December 26 2004

A magnificent first half performance was not enough as Saddlers contributed to their own downfall with a dreadful second half showing. Despite a magnificent first half performance Saddlers went down by 3 goals to 2 at Hillsborough courtesy of a woeful second half display, an incompetent official and some blatant Wednesday cheating.

The only change made to the usual Saddlers side was McShane making his debut along side Emblen in the heart of the defence.

Walsall started off very brightly and dominated the first half. Kinsella at last showed his true class. He tackled like a tiger and passed and created like a true World Cup legend.

As early as the 3rd minute Saddlers should have taken the lead. A marvellous through ball by Kinsella had Wrack on the chase and the extremely dodgy Lucas in the Wednesday goal came steaming out of his area, got caught in no mans land and the defender whacked the ball against him for a Saddlers corner. The corner was whipped in and McShane rose at the far post but headed narrowly wide.

Saddlers continued to dominate proceedings with Wednesday’s only threat being the big hoof to the huge, dirty Kenwyne Jones up front. This player should have been dismissed even before he had chance to open the scoring. How the ref never penalised him for persistent blatant fouling is beyond belief. He should then have received his marching orders after he thumped Mcshane in the mush as he was trying to retrieve the ball for a Saddlers free kick. Not even a yellow was issued. Unbelievable.

Time and time again Saddlers broke forward with Kinsella and Merson playing some delightful balls. Unfortunately Robinson was caught offside on too many occasions although the decisions of the lino with the yellow flag were extremely questionable.

Somehow, against the run of play, Wednesday took the lead. Wright and Kinsella were under no pressure when they left the ball for each other. Wright then attempted to clear. Unfortunately he hit the ball straight to Kenwyne Jones 30 yards out who thumped it first time into the top corner leaving Murphy picking his nose wandering why the Spion Kop was cheering. What a fluke.

Saddlers then upped the tempo and Wrack brought an excellent save from Lucas who tipped his effort from 25 yards over the bar.

Another corner was floated in and McShane rose highest again to nod the ball towards goal. Somehow Wednesday managed to clear off the line. The equaliser came shortly before half time when Wrack floated in a beauty to Robinson who headed magnificently over the keeper from 12 yards out. I doubt you will ever see a better headed finish than that.

At one apiece the match was excellently balanced for the second half.

Walsall never got going. Wednesday went to town. They finally realised that they could easily beat Walsall by playing down the flanks as the 3 man midfield offers absolutely no protection to the two worst full backs in the Football League.

Walsall gifted Wednesday the lead. Wrack was found doing the work assigned to Caravan Man who had decided to go awol selling pegs somewhere. He huffed and puffed and under no pressure whatsoever cleared the ball straight to an Owl who floated the ball into the box. The resultant shot was deflected home off the unfortunate McShane.

Walsall still never managed to get going and Wednesday furthered their lead courtesy of some blatant cheating. Maclean (possibly), decided to take advantage of Emblen’s outstretched leg. In rather spectacular fashion he hurled himself 15 foot forward and dived over Emblen’s knee. Instead of yellow carding the player the ref awarded a penalty. No contact, nothing. Shocking decision.

At 3-1 down Saddlers decided to search for a consolation. Osborn replaced Kinsella to a pathetic chorus of boos from the loud Saddlers following.

With Walsall’s only real attack of note during the second half McShane nodded home at the far post to set up a frantic last 10 minutes. The ref then added the icing to the cake. After a series of corners McShane went on the rampage dribbling into the area. He was then brought down unceremoniously and the ref waved play on. Disgraceful. Wednesday held out.

Man of the match was undoubtedly McShane. This boy is a “real” defender. He tackled, headed and fought all match against a torrent of physical abuse from the bruisers Wednesday employed up front. Calm and composed on the ball he is a real star of the future and one of the best central defenders I have seen play for Walsall.

Not only content with defending he was found on the left wing, right wing and up front. He showed some of the other Walsall wannabees what a real footballer is like.

If Merson learned anything from this defeat it must be that Wright will never make a full back as long as there is a hole in my polo. As for Zigor, say no more. Merson needs to do something about these two with immediate effect.