Revitalized Saddlers 3-0 Milwall
By 4two
September 21 2002
The Saddlers answered all the questions asked about them lately with a magnificent 3-0 victory at one of the toughest venues in British football.
Milwall 0-3 Walsall
Goals: Zdrilic 25' (Walsall) Wrack 35'' (Walsall) Leitao 76'' (Walsall)
Man of the Match: Corica (Walsall)
| Millwall: | Warner , Bull , Lawrence , Nethercott , Ward , Livermore , Ifill , A.Roberts , Kinet (Harris 53) , Claridge , Davies |
| Subs not used: | Gueret , Phillips , Ryan , Braniff |
| Walsall: | Walker , Aranalde , Bazeley , Roper , Hay (Barras 65) , Corica , O'Connor , Simpson , Leitao (Wright 90) , Wrack , Zdrilic (Birch 75) |
| Subs not used: | Ward , Martinez |
Walsall's only changes for this game was the introduction of Roper for the injured Carbon and Simpson in for the suspended Sonner . The side were under pressure after four consecutive defeats and a string pitiful performances. Back room unrest and circling rumours about transfers also cast a shadow over the team. The Saddlers were up against it, and faced a stern test.
The game started of brightly with both sides having chances falling to Nethercot and Zdrilic.
Walsall's potency upfront was what won the game, the first goal came via the Ozzie connection of Corica and Zdrilic. Corica set up Zdrilic on 25 minutes with a fine cross, which was met the head of Zdrilic who found the net.
Jorge Leitao was looking sharp, and it was this sharpness that allowed him to capitalize on some poor defending by Milwall to set up Darren Wrack 10 minutes later. Wrack was played in by Leitao and took his chance well, showing that he can produce goods for the Saddlers.
The New Den is a stadium where Walsall have been the best team on the last three occasions but failed to return with three points. But today Walsall looked in total control of the game, and most importantly like a first division team.
The first half had been one the Saddlers could be pleased of. They had limited the Milwall chances, the midfield had shown some substance and the movement in the opposing half was impressive.
Half Time: Milwall 0-2 Walsall
Milwall came out and attacked us in the second half, like we had done against Rotherham earlier on in the week. They did have efforts on goal from Roberts and Ifill but Walsall always looked comfortable.
The Saddlers maintained the happy medium of not going all out to put the game beyond Milwall's reach and defending solidly. Eventually Jorge Leitao had an opportunity to get his second goal of the week thanks to another Corica ball, and he was able to keep his effort low and past the keeper.
This finished Milwall and the game off, and ended Walsall's run of defeats.
Half Time: Milwall 0-3 Walsall
So the lads showed some character, and spirit. There was plenty of grit and determination around the New Den, most of it from the Walsall side. Corica did what he is in the team to do, and created chances. Driller and Jorge found the net, while Darren Wrack will hopeful build on what can be called an encouraging performance. The big change today was the movement and the fluidity of our play, something we can hopefully continue. Three points next Saturday and we have begun to make amends for the damaging row of defeats. What we all want to know is what kind of team are we going too see next week, will we have another perplexing performance, where we end up confused and baffled.
