Walsall 1 Oldham 1
Tuesday 25th January 2011, 9:59PM GMT.
Darryl Westlake’s first senior goal earned Walsall a valuable point in their fight for survival against Oldham.
Filipe Morais’ first-half strike dented the hosts’ hopes but right-back Westlake’s 61st minute drive nabbed a draw.
However, the point failed to lift the Saddlers off the bottom of the table and they remain nine points from safety after Swindon’s goalless draw with Tranmere.
But the Saddlers had enough chances to win it, especially in the first-half, as Will Grigg, Jonathan Macken and Alex Nicholls had goalkeeper Ben Amos stretching.
Richard Taundry and Manny Smith sat out the game injured as Grigg and Oliver Lancashire came in following Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Exeter.
Nicholls tested Manchester United loanee Amos inside the first two minutes, before Grigg and Macken went close in quick succession.
Grigg had his own battle with Amos, who denied him again eight minutes before half-time but the Saddlers fell behind on 39 minutes.
They failed to clear a corner and, after a set of head tennis, the ball was worked to Morais whose low drive beat goalkeeper Jimmy Walker.
It left Walsall still searching for a first home clean sheet in League One and they were indebted to Lancashire 30 seconds after the restart for a timely challenge on Kieran Lee.
And Oumare Tounkara should have made it 2-0 on 58 minutes after capitalising on a slip from Lancashire to race though, only to chip wide.
But three minutes later the Saddlers were level, when Westlake received Nicholls’ lay-off and rifled into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.
Andy Butler glanced wide soon after and Nicholls planted a looping header over in injury time, as neither side could find a winner.
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Superb effort tonight by the Saddlers although I fear the worst. More the pity that these same players didn’t show the same qualities over the last five months??
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Another good performance from the lads under Smith. We had Oldham on the ropes in the final 10 minutes. A couple of good saves from Super-Jim, Richards took charge in the middle and wanted the ball and distributed well. We need Byfield back urgently though to hold the ball up and provide some quality passes in the final 3rd of the field.
Although another tough point in our fight for survival I feel like it is 2 points dropped. Next 3 games are must win.
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Desperate need for a CB, LB, CM, and 2 strikers.
Macken is a very expensive passanger most the time. Not mobile enough, not tall enough, and gives the ball away almost every time he has his back to goal on the halfway line.
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Yes I think relegation is a certainty but at least the games are more enjoyable at the moment. A decent striker is a must. Grigg looks a little lightweight and inexperienced at the moment but will come good in time.
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Will Grigg doesnt look a little lightweight and inexperienced he is time to bring in a decent forward now..
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Can’t fault the lads for effort and workrate….however quality was lacking and this is where your Gray’s and Macken’s need to step up to the plate.
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