• 2 weeks ago
George Bennett gives his analysis of Walsall's draw against Crewe.
Transcript
00:00Good evening, Sadler's fans. Walsall have just drawn 1-1 against local rivals Crewe
00:06Alexandra at Bescott in what descended into a very feisty battle. Matt Sadler made three
00:13changes from the 2-1 win over Bolton Wanderers in the FA Cup last weekend. Donovan Daniels
00:19came in for his first competitive start as Harry Williams missed out due to concussion.
00:24He will also miss the game against Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday at the very least. Jack Heeran
00:29and Albert Odoma also dropped to the bench as Charlie Lakin and Jamil Matt came back
00:33in. It was a first half of very few chances and it was quite an even contest. Shiloh Tracey
00:41was played for on goal and screwed one just wide in the 7th minute. Jamil Matt nodded
00:46one wide and Conor Barrett slammed a half-volley into the side netting. Crewe had a great chance
00:51just before the break when Omar Bogle headed wide after an inviting cross to the back post
00:56from Conway. Although there was a suspected push on Donovan Daniels. Walsall grew frustrated
01:02with some of the refereeing decisions and tensions constantly threatened to overboil.
01:08More on that later. Crewe took the lead midway into the second half in the 66th minute. Holacek
01:15slotted the ball into the path of Omar Bogle. He escaped the Walsall defence and slotted
01:20the ball past Tommy Simpkin and in off the post. Walsall eventually responded well. Matt
01:25Sadler made a quadruple change with the introductions of Brandon Conley, Danny Johnson, George Hall
01:32and Albert Adoma. George Hall made an instant impact. He threaded a beautiful pass into
01:39the path of Nathan Lowe and he slammed a powerful finish in off the bar to equalise and salvage
01:45a point for Walsall. As I said, tensions overboiled at the end. There was an instance where Liam
01:51Gordon, Jack Earing were involved and then once again on the touchline, more incidents
01:59with another touchline melee and Dave Joyce, the Walsall kitman was shown a red card, Lee
02:05Bowe was booked, Liam Gordon was booked but in the end it ended all square. Walsall remained
02:10second spot and closed the gap behind Port Vale, the leaders, to three points though.

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