Swindon 0 Walsall 2 - Report and pictures

Analysis

In what was the Saddlers most convincing and comfortable victory of the campaign so far, the creative schemer netted a goal of the season contender in each half to earn his side a 2-0 win.

Jon Whitney's side imposed their dominance right from the off, with Oztumer breaking the deadlock when he caught Lawrence Vigouroux off his line with a stunning strike from 40-yards.

The former Peterborough man made it two in the second half when he guided home Kevin Toner's long ball with a wonderful volley.

But it was no more than Walsall deserved, with the visitors shackling their opponents to ensure they were stronger all over the field.

It means the Saddlers have lost just once in their last nine outings – and are unbeaten in their last five.

In naming his starting line, boss Whitney kept faith with the team that battled its way to a 1-1 draw at Gillingham.

It meant record signing Makris continued as a lone striker in a 4-2-3-1 formation – with Amadou Bakayoko back from suspension but only amongst the substitutes.

For Swindon, Nathan Delfouneso ­- who came through the youth ranks at Villa - started up front.

Both teams entered the clash in good form with Walsall unbeaten in their last four outings and the Robins having gone two matches without defeat.

But the opening half-hour proved somewhat of a miss-match with the Saddlers imposing their high pressing game on their opponents right from the off.

Whitney's side were happy keeping possession and stroking the ball around at will as they looked to patiently break through the home side's defence.

Swindon, in complete contrast, looked bereft of confidence with the home side often guilty of giving the ball away cheaply as they struggled to cope with the visitor's tempo.

And it was from one of those miss-placed passes that the Saddlers took the lead with Oztumer's goal of the season contender.

After Paul Furlong had sloppily given away possession, the creative schemer picked up the ball 40-yards out and effortlessly stroked it over the keeper in a moment of pure magic.

Swindon eventually came into the game as clock ticked past the half hour mark with Delfouneso's movement giving the Walsall defence something to think about.

But whenever the home side ventured forward, they were met by towering performances from Joe Edwards, Adam Chambers and Scott Laird with the two teams making their way off at the break with neither keeper having made a save of note.

Walsall should have doubled their advantage 40 seconds after the re-start when they carved open Town's defence and - with Vigouroux stranded - Franck Moussa rolled the ball along the six-yard box to give Makris a tap in.

Incredibly though, with the entire net to aim for, the striker cannoned the ball back of the crossbar when he should have been celebrating his first goal for the club.

Fortunately, just minutes later, the Saddlers did get themselves a second through another moment of brilliance from Oztumer.

The little magician met Kevin Toner's long ball with a wonderfully guided volley which he expertly placed beyond the reach of Vigouroux and into the far left corner.

Such was Walsall's dominance, that when Anton Rogers tamely shot at Neil Etheridge deep into the second half, the home crowd sarcastically burst into a round of applause.

That was because Walsall enjoyed complete control throughout, with Whitney's side bossing the game to secure a convincing and well earned victory.

Key moments

17 GOAL WALSALL. Erhun Oztumer spots Lawrence Vigouroux off his line and spectacularly chips from 40-yards.

21 Andreas Makris goes down in the box under pressure from Conor Thomas but referee Darren England waves away the striker's appeal for a penalty.

23 Nathan Delfouneso does well to bring the ball down in the box before firing over.

32 Ellis Iandolo hits a fierce strike from 20-yards which fizzes past Neil Etheridge's goal

46 Franck Moussa rolls the ball along the six-yard box for Makris to tap home but the striker's effort hits the bar.

51 GOAL WALSALL Kevin Toner's long ball forward is majestically guided into the net on the volley by Oztumer.

63 Oztumer dances into the box and squares for Kieron Morris who should score but the winger fires over.

81 Morris fires inches wide from 20 yards after good combination play with Amadou Bakayoko

Man of the Match

Erhun Oztumer

Position in the table

12th League One

Teams

Swindon: Vigouroux, Thompson, Thomas, Rodgers, Kasim, Goddard, Brophy (Barry 46), Iandolo (Norris 65), Furlong, Murray, Delfouneso.

Subs not used: Henry, Evans, Georgaklis, Ouldridge, Twine.

Walsall: Etheridge, McCarthy, Toner, O'Connor, Laird, Edwards, Chambers, Moussa, Oztumer, Morris (Ginnelly 86), Makris (Bakayoko 62).

Subs not used: MacGillivray, Dobson, Osbourne, Kinsella, Preston,