Saddlers 2 Sky Blues 0

Star Man

By Admin Saddler
July 26 2005

Saddlers continued their unbeaten pre-season run comfortably defeating near neighbours Coventry. A first half goal from Leitao and an absolute stunner from Larossa gave Saddlers a well deserved victory THETEAMS

^THE^TEAMS

^{Walsall
: Oakes, Pead, Bennett, Westwood, Fox ,Wright, Standing,
Osborn, Kris Taylor, Wrack, Leitao}

^{Subs:
Coleman, Kinsella, Atieno, Gerrard, Larossa}

^Coventry:^{Some
bloke called Hughes, Dele Fellova and a few others that could well be in a
relegation fight if they don't buck their ideas up.}

^THE^GOALS

^{Walsall 1st - Wright
picked out Leitao with a superb cross (yep) and he lashed home from 8 yards}

^{Walsall 2nd}^{-
Larossa chipped the keeper from fully 40 yards. Incredible strike.}

^MATCH^SUMMARY

Both teams battled well in the first half and were guilty of wasting some good opportunities. Leitao had two efforts well saved whilst Coventry had an effort twonk off the upright with the goal gaping. Overall Saddlers controlled the midfield and looked well organised. We tried to keep possession and constantly troubled Coventry with some quick breakaways.

Osborn controlled the tempo of the game with some neat incisive passing whilst Kris Taylor played extremely well breaking forward to support the lone striker.

Saddlers took the lead after 20 minutes or so with yet another well orchestrated break. The ball was well worked out to the flanks and Mark Wright managed to cut the ball back to Leitao who finished well despite being surrounded by City defenders.

Although Walsall looked in control there were a few moments of panic with some self inflicted sloppyness. Some mis-communication between Oakes and the Fox in his own box (Sorry!) resulted in both players falling over each other leaving the goal wide open. Somehow the ball was scrambled away.

The Sky Blues players seemed somewhat rattled by the fact we were out playing them and were guilty of some unnecessary niggling challenges.

Larossa came on midway through the second half, looked completely out of place and then produced a goal that, had it been a league match would have been a contender for goal of the season. The City keeper cleared his lines straight to the Argentinian who, from fully 40 yards lifted the ball over the stranded keeper and under the cross bar. Quite incredible.

From then on, Coventry never really had a sniff.

^THEPOSITIVES

Kris Taylor was without doubt man of the match. He put in a superb display breaking up the City midfield and supported Leitao as we attacked. His partner in midfield, Osborn, also looked to be on top form.

Chris Westwood on this performance looks a class above any other center half ever seen in a Saddlers shirt. Truly awesome. He is a ball playing central defender who organises the rest of the side. Captain marvellous.

Saddlers looked to be in complete control. Playing possession football we rarely gave the ball away and looked a constant threat when playing forwards. Even more pleasing, we looked strong as a defensive unit to boot.

^THE^NEGATIVES

We still seem to be lacking in the striker department. Leitao looked neat and tidy but Larossa still looked way out of his depth (despite the incredible goal).

Fox tackled well but had a few Zigor-esque moments.

Wrack offered nothing at all.

^PLAYER^REPORTS

^Oakes^|^{Handled well and commanded his area. Good
showing and made some good saves. Blotted his copy book with a tangle with
Fox which nearly resulted in a goal against.}
^Pead^|^{Looked solid and linked up well with Wrighty down the
flanks. Improved as the game wore on.}

^Bennett^{|
As last year, looks fairly solid but he still gifts possession to the
opposition when clearing his lines. This resulted in a few goals against
last term.}

^Westwood^|^{Strong,
organised, absolutely fantastic. A true leader in the Martyn O'Connor mould.}

^Fox^|^{Looked
extremely iffy in the first 20 minutes constantly out of position - Zigor
style. Improved as the game went on.}

^Wrack^|^{In
typical Wrack style, didn't do much. Had a couple of runs but offered
little going forward down the flank.}

^Osborn^|^{Controlled the midfield and distributed well.}

^Taylor^|^{Star man. Looked a class above everyone else on the pitch}

^Standing^|^{. Quiet first half but improved during the second}

^Wright^|^{Crossed well for Leitao's opener and helped the midfield
break up Coventry's attacks}

^Leitao^|^{Looked back to his best during the
first 45 mins then faded during the second. Eventually replaced by Larossa}

Bookmark or share this story with:

Walsall

Saddlers 2 Sky Blues 0

^THE^TEAMS

^THEPOSITIVES

More Walsall headlines

Walsall latest threads