By Happy Saddler
April 9 2005

Merson's magnificent Saddlers battled and fully deserved the three points they earned at the County Ground. Joachim blasted Walsall in front only for Parkin to equalise from a penalty. With minutes remaining Wright clinched all 3 points. Saddlers lined up without player manager Paul Merson in a 4-5-1 formation at the County Ground. Joachim was the lone front runner with a quintet midfield consisting of Wrack, Surman, Osborn, Standing and Wright. Rather surprisingly Wright was employed on the left hand side with Wrack attacking the right.

From the off Saddlers looked determined to ensure they came away with at least a point. The midfield tackled like tigers and looked for Joachim to create problems up front. For the first half hour the game was somewhat sluggish. Swindon were unable to break down Saddlers determined midfield whilst Walsall relied on high balls to Joachim who was battling against a man monster of a defender.

All credit must go to Joachim as he won his fair share of headers and flick ons using his football brain. He pushed the giant back and came forward to receive the balls aimed at him. Great play.

As the half wore on Swindon gradually came more into the game. Osborn missed a tackle and Swindon attacked. A ball was played towards the edge of the box and Osborn again unsuccessfully jockeyed his player. The Town striker managed to brush him aside and shot, fortunately wide.

Town attacked again and Roper pulled off a magnificent tackle to end the attacking sortie. Unfortunately the referee thought otherwise and awarded a free kick to Town. From the set piece play the ball was floated into the box and the dangerous Parkin headed narrowly over.

Saddlers were always looking a threat on the counter attack and looked extremely dangerous from Peads long throws. From one such throw Saddlers took the lead on the stroke of half time.

A throw down the line was controlled by Wright. He played an intricate pass with Joachim and fed a perfect return ball into his path. Joachim then let fly with a first time rocket from 15 yards that scorched into the bottom corner. Absolutely stunning.

Walsall came out for the second period still fighting and battling. However, Town started to get on top without seriously threatening. Merson, accused of tactical naivety, got this call absolutely spot on. He withdrew Standing and replaced him with Leitao who took up a position behind Joachim.

This turned out to be a master stroke as Leitao was able to win the balls cleared up field, hold them up and generally give Swindon something to think about. After Saddlers had weathered the initial storm they eventually got on top of the game. Mark Wright was linking up well with Surman and one delicious flick through from Surman found Leitao on the edge of the box and only a brilliant save prevented Leitao from extending Saddlers lead.

Yet more good play from Surman presented a chance to Wright who shot tamely at the keeper from 18 yards.

As the game opened up chances were created by both teams in what was an entertaining match. Perpetuini earned his wages with a magnificent header off his own goal line whilst the woodwork came to Oakes’ rescue after another excellent Parkin header.

With 10 minutes remaining Swindon equalised in rather bizarre circumstances. They broke upfield and had Saddlers doing some last ditch defending. One Saddlers defender hurled himself in the way of a goal bound shot and managed to keep it out with his some part of his anatomy. What followed then was rather confusing as about 10 players started kicking each other in an attempt to get to the seemingly smothered ball. For reasons unknown the ref awarded a penalty that Parkin despatched confidently.

In the melee that followed a Saddlers player got booked. So infuriated were Saddlers players that instead of settling for a point they rolled up their sleeves and went for the jugular. With minutes remaining Joachim made a surge down the inside left channel and played the ball back to Mark Wright. With the goal gaping Wright drove the ball calmly past the keeper to clinch a fully deserved three points for Merson’s men. Cue bedlam.

The players and gaffer left the field to a standing ovation from the Saddlers faithful who had been fleeced of £23 to gain admittance to the County Ground. Fortunately Saddlers put on a performance that guaranteed it was money well spent.

Every player in the side battled for everything. Roper and Gerrard commanded the defence whilst the blood soaked Pead and Perpetuini defended excellently on the flanks. Mark Wright and Surman combined well down the flanks but overall my MOM goes to Julian Joachim.

He ran tirelessly up front on his own, scored a scorcher of a goal and laid the winner on a plate for Wright. Top performance.

As the players left the pitch the happy fans clapped and sung songs of praise for Paul Merson and his men.

This was a well deserved victory that should go a long way to ensuring survival in this league.