Barrow 2 Walsall 0 - George Bennett analysis
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00:00Hi Sadler's fans, I'm Pitchside at Holker Street where Walsall have just fallen to a 2-0 defeat against Barrow and that's now back-to-back defeats.
00:09Walsall extends their winless run to 10 games and it's now just two wins in 17 games.
00:15So, you know, a really disappointing performance once again.
00:18Matt Sadler made six changes from the team which began the 3-2 defeat against Port Vale at Bescott last weekend.
00:26Donovan Daniels came in for his first league start since November and his first appearance since the Peterborough defeat in the EFL Trophy in January.
00:36David DiCabrio dropped to the bench for him.
00:39Tommy Simpkin was recalled between the sticks and Charlie Lakin also came back in.
00:45Connor Barrett did too and Ellis Harrison led the line and Brandon Comley started over Ryan Sturk in the holding midfield role.
00:53So, yeah, wholesale changes and Matt Sadler said just there that it didn't have the desired effect.
00:58He wanted to go for more experience with the likes of Daniels, Comley, Harrison on the pitch.
01:03But Harrison looked kind of off the pace really after missing the last few games with a hamstring injury.
01:11And, yeah, Walsall just allowed Barrow to play really in those sort of opening stages.
01:15And Aaron Presley in particular was a major threat for the hosts.
01:18And Julie gave Barrow the lead.
01:23First effort was saved by Tommy Simpkin, but he pounced on the rebound to put the ball away.
01:31And he had other chances to extend his tally.
01:34And Barrow's lead, one where he planted a header wide.
01:38Donovan Daniels just couldn't really get to grips with him, to be honest.
01:41And, yeah, planted a header wide.
01:44And after that, had another chance when he forced a really good save out of Tommy Simpkin with a thumping half volley.
01:51And, yeah, for the first half really, Walsall offered very little until right at the end, Ellis Harrison headed one wide from point blank range.
02:00Walsall's best chance of the afternoon.
02:02They did start the second half on the front foot, but they were still extremely loose in possession.
02:08And that sort of frustration just crept in as the game went on, really.
02:12Matt Sander tried to change things from the bench.
02:15And we saw George Hall come on, Albert Odoma, Levi Amanchi, Danny Johnson.
02:20But Walsall ended the game without registering a single attempt on target.
02:26And it was a great opportunity for Walsall as well this afternoon with the fact that Bradford City lost in the early kick-off.
02:31So it was a chance to take over them.
02:33Wimbledon had drawn against Doncaster, so they could have extended with a win.
02:38The gap above Doncaster had their game in hand against Salford now on Tuesday night,
02:43which would give them an opportunity to leapfog Walsall.
02:45But they could have moved four points clearer then.
02:48So a real opportunity missed as well.
02:50And when I spoke to Matt Sander at full-time, he said that he can understand the supporters' frustration.
02:55And want to see a reaction from his players.
02:58And just around the game off, really, in stoppage time, Emil Acqua, just come on from the bench,
03:04was there to place a precise finish into the bottom corner.
03:08So here it's finished 2-0 at Holker Street.
03:11And luckily I'm staying over tonight.
03:13But, you know, safe travels to all the Sadler's fans making a long journey home.