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Walsall 0 Wolves 3 21/09/2001 |
| Match Report | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Report by Fat Stat
Wolves with seven games unbeaten, against a third from bottom Walsall - wasn't the script set for yet another Walsall win? It certainly started that way, with a few niggley fouls and little play of note. Both teams were playing the long ball too much, and this suited the "honest graft" of Walsall more than the slick passing of Wolves that we had witnessed in the first half at Gillingham. Unfortunately the only corner we got was ruined by yet another attempted short corner routine. Why are we persevering with that? On about ten minutes Goodman - whose hair was a big disappointment - fell over when challenged by Muscat on the edge of the box. Goodman was carried off on a stretcher, and was quickly substituted - so presumably he had twisted his ankle. From the free kick Walsall executed a well-worked move (albeit aided by some poor defending) which resulted in a shot which was well saved by Oakes. It was a scrappy game with Wolves exhibiting some signs of the same sloppy defensive play shown in the Gillingham match. Then their right wing-back, Herivelto, skipped passed about four Wolves defenders to leave him with only Lescott to beat. He sold Lescott a dummy and created enough space for a good shot, which Oakes did well to save. At the other end Cameron picked up the ball on the half way line ran through and delivered a good shot which was well saved by their goal keeper. Then, with about twenty minutes gone the game was brought into life by a touch of Kennedy magic. I was just thinking that they were giving Kennedy a bit too much space when he demonstrated exactly what he could do. Kennedy got the ball on the left hand side and with only one player on him (probably the last time you'll see that this season) he feigned to go left on the outside, but then checked back in and left fly a truly brilliant shot which cannoned in off the underside of the bar. Kennedy's first goal and what a goal! 1-0 Wolves. Almost straight after, as on Tuesday, Wolves got their second. Kennedy fed Naylor who was overlapping on the left wing. Naylor cross picked out Blake whose fluffed shot fell fortunately to Miller who made no mistake and chipped it past the goalie 2-0 Wolves and chants of "worse than the Albion, you're f***** worse than the Albion". Then only five minutes later Wolves made it all over as a contest. A high Kennedy cross (again from the left wing) was nodded down by Blake for Newton to run onto and score for his third goal of the season. 3-0 Wolves and chants of "easy, easy". Walsall, although obviously shell-shocked by a six minute purple patch, did come out to try and get something from the game. Oakes dropped a cross which pinballed around in our area before Wolves got the ball away. Besides a Blake shot when he should have played it wide to Newton (you have to admire his desire to score though), the game fizzled out. But who cares when you are three-nil up away from home in a local derby against a team you've never beaten? Second half started fizzle d out and continued along the same vein. There were lots of players falling over and the sloppy play was epitomised by Cameron's abysmal shot which went out for a throw in. However, Wolves still looked dangerous on the break and another great surging run from Cameron saw him lay the ball out to Kennedy whose cross-come-shot just eluded Blake. Wolves seemed happy to let Walsall play and on about 70 minutes Butler slipped over, letting in a Walsall player whose pull back was cleared. Although having a lot of the play Walsall didn't really trouble the Wolves defence. I was impressed by our determination and will to win, Cameron in particular seemed to be everywhere. With twenty minutes to go Roussel replaced Blake who didn't seem to want to leave the pitch. I continue to be impressed by his determination to do well. He obviously wanted three goals in three games. Ten minutes later Proudlock replaced Miller. Right at the end Rae came on for his first appearance. Straight after that a fine piece of passing play ended with a poor Roussel shot. What can you say? Our first ever win against Walsall, moving up us to second in the league. Another solid performance, demonstrating a determination and team spirit that's long been missing. Passages of attacking play that genuinely impress and several players who look like match winners. Good as it is, it can only get better can't it?
Attendance: 8,327
Goals: Wolves: Kennedy (20 mins), Miller (22 mins), Newton (26 mins)
Notes: Wolves complete their first ever win over Walsall to move up to second in the league. Kennedy scores his first goal for Wolves. Rae makes his first appearance as sub. Best Player : Cameron (4 votes); Kennedy (2 votes)
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| Average player ratings are taken from a number of newspapers, magazines and web-sites ...more.... |
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| Walsall Away |
