Mat Sadler hails Walsall goal scorer Priestley Farquharson after Harrogate win
Mat Sadler has hailed Priestley Farquharson after the Walsall defender scored on his first league start in over 15 months in a 2-0 win at Harrogate Town.
Daniel Kanu provided the breakthrough on the cusp of half-time with a composed finish after racing on to a through ball by Jamille Matt.
Farquharson headed home late on to seal the win on his first start since a 1-0 defeat at Tranmere Rovers in August 2024.
"I was delighted with that because he was going to come off just before it, but then we had a couple of set plays, which I wanted him to be a pest with.
"Our set plays were class today. I've got no qualms to say that they offer a very good route to goal for us.
"Priestley has worked so hard to put himself in the position to play and I just felt today that the solidity and athleticism he gives us provided great balance."
That win propelled Walsall back to the League Two summit ahead of the 3pm kick-offs and Sadler was pleased with the balance of the team after making four changes.
"We changed a couple of things around, but we did that with the intention of just making sure we looked like us.
"The Walsall that we come to expect from each other and we've looked like that so often this season anyway.
"We wanted to be hard to play against, physical, carry a threat on set pieces and get the ball out wide to the wing-backs.
"There was a good balance to the team today and a really good blend."
Besides Farquharson, Matt made his first league start in League Two this season, while Jid Okeke and Lewis Warrington were also recalled.
It was a bold call on the selection front, but it worked tremendously, as Walsall also kept their first league clean sheet in 10 games.
Sadler felt his side could've won even more comprehensively and argued that Ryan Finnigan had a goal wrongly ruled out on the half-hour mark.
"The first goal came at a good time because I have no idea why that goal was disallowed," he added.
"I watched it back straight afterwards and there was no reason for that to be disallowed. Then the keeper made two outstanding saves before that.
"You were just thinking, come on let's get our noses in front, because we earned this and we deserve this.
"That was good timing for the lads to take a lead into half-time. Then we were very comprehensive in the second half so it was a really pleasing performance."
