Walsall analysis: Saddlers produce scintillating comeback in a tale of two halves

There was very little to split the two teams during the opening exchanges but the manner Walsall conceded the opening goal was completely avoidable. 

It stemmed from a long ball by Bromley goalkeeper Grant Smith and neither Evan Weir or Lewis Warrington were able to deal with the danger. 

Michael Cheek simply let the ball hit him and Ryan Finnigan picked up the second ball, only to play Priestley Farquharson into a spot of bother. 

Instead of clearing his lines, Farquharson attempted to find Jid Okeke and gave the ball straight to Mitch Pinnock. In a desperate attempt to make amends, Farquharson charged out of position to deal with Pinnock and left Krauhaus completely unmarked inside the box. 

The Bromley midfielder made no mistake when he received a low pass by Pinnock, drilling an unerring finish into Myles Roberts' far bottom corner. 

Walsall are fast gaining a reputation as slow starters after conceding first in seven of their last eight games in League Two. In fact, it was the third home game in a row that they trailed at the break in the league. 

The first half display was not quite as dire as in the 2-0 defeat against Colchester United, but it was clear that things weren't clicking on the ball. 

They lacked any real patterns of play and the midfield, which appeared to rediscover its balance in the win over Harrogate Town, once again looked lost. 

There were chances for Walsall in the first half though. Finnigan stabbed an effort straight at Smith as early as the fourth minute and probably would've found the net had he been able to regain his balance. 

Bromley had Ashley Charles to thank for preserving their lead after the midfielder made a miraculous goal-line clearance to hook Okeke's deflected half-volley to safety. 

But the biggest positive of the first half was that Walsall were able to keep the score down to just the one, after Roberts sprawled to his left to produce a fine near post save to deny Michael Cheek. 

The second goal killed Walsall against Colchester, but at only 1-0 down, Walsall still had plenty left to fight for heading into the second half. 

Mat Sadler was bold in his decision-making and made a triple change at the break. Brandon Comley brought an immediate calmness in the No 6 role when he replaced Warrington and Courtney Clarke provided an explosive energy that was lacking in the first 45. 

The most important change perhaps came out wide with Connor Barrett coming on for Vincent Harper, as Okeke switched over to the left. 

Walsall by no means flew out of the traps in the second half, but suddenly they were beginning to create overloads down the flanks, especially on the left through Okeke, Clarke, Weir and Daniel Kanu. 

Kanu had struggled to really impose himself on the game in the first half, but he was unleashed after the break and was electrifying at times. 

Sadler deserves credit for helping turn the tide. He made four changes at Harrogate last weekend and accepted that things weren't working against Bromley and changed things at the right time.

Bromley were unable to get to grips with his pace and that injection of speed down the left with Okeke and Clarke gave Walsall a serious attacking outlet. 

The visitors had a goal ruled out for offside through Michael Cheek, but Walsall were gradually working their way through the gears before they got back on level terms midway into the second half. 

Farquharson was on a mission to make up for his first half mistake and he played an instrumental role in both of the first two goals to do exactly that. 

Weir's set piece deliveries are a real weapon and his floated free-kick to the back post was cushioned down beautifully by Aden Flint. Farquharson then helped it on towards Kanu, who showed great composure to squeeze his finish past Smith. 

The Charlton Athletic loanee is in a rich vein of form in front of goal and notched his fifth goal in seven games to move on to eight in all competitions for the campaign. 

Finnigan completed the comeback nine minutes from time, but it was the assist by Farquharson which had everyone talking at full-time. 

Weir swung another menacing ball into the box but Farquharson had no right to reach it. Somehow he virtually arced his head around the ball to send it back across goal and Finnigan towered above his marker to loop his header over Smith. 

Walsall showed their mettle in the closing stages and Flint looked as if he had just done 12 rounds in a boxing ring as he finished the game bruised and battered. 

There was still time for one final moment of magic when Okeke stole the ball on the left and slotted substitute Albert Adomah into the box. 

The 37-year-old had every right to shoot but unselfishly squared for Clarke to plant his finish underneath Smith to score his first Football League goal. 

Adomah's impact from the bench is a real asset for Walsall. To have his energy against tiring legs must be a nightmare for any defence and his impact in the final third has been valuable this season too. 

Danny Johnson played the role of super sub at times last season, but the difference with Adomah is that he has embraced the role wholeheartedly. 

A real team player who continues to demonstrate exactly why he has become a major hit with the Saddlers faithful.