Port Vale 1 Walsall 2
Michael Ricketts and Jabo Ibehre might have solved one problem for Walsall manager Jimmy Mullen.
Michael Ricketts and Jabo Ibehre might have solved one problem for Walsall manager Jimmy Mullen.
It looks certain that the two goalscorers from Saturday's win at Port Vale have cemented their places in the Walsall starting line-up at Yeovil.
The man who said he was "90 per cent" certain of what his team would be next week must be even closer know.
Walsall could – and should – have won more convincingly. Both Ibehre and Ricketts had the type of one-on-one chances that, if not converted in league games, could well be costly.
The Saddlers came under pressure towards the end but they never looked like being breached.
With Rhys Weston certain to miss the opening games of the season and Paul Boertien needing games, the defence has been sorted out but it is midfield where the imponderables surface.
Walsall were ahead after 15 minutes, with a shot from Ibehre that seemed to take an age to cross the line.
Saddlers defenders will not need to watch the highlights of the Vale equaliser in the 21st minute from Ross Davidson to know they should have done better.
Before half time, they were back in front. Ricketts took full advantage of more poor defending by Port Vale to score his first goal since returning to the Banks's Stadium.
Alex Nicholls deserved a goal with a tremendous shot that Joe Anyon pushed on to the bar at the start of the second half. Dwayne Mattis should have also done better when through late on.
Walsall: Ince, Palmer, Gerrard (Smith 45), Roberts, Sansara (Bradley 87); Nicholls (Reich 64), Hughes (Taundry 54),Mattis, Zaaboub (Demontagnac 69), Ibehre, Rickets (Deeney 73).
