Manager Chris Hutchings made two welcome signings before the game with Plymouth Argyle. John Macken, a proven goalscorer signed on a free transfer and the loan signing of Reuben Reid, a wide man cum striker from West Bromwich Albion on a five month deal. As it happened Macken had to pull out from selection due to a slight injury picked up in training with his new club but Reid made his Walsall debut and put in a great shift providing the eventual match winner.
It was always going to be a difficult match with Plymouth having just come down from the Championship but Walsall got off to a bright start with Steve Jones hitting a post. Plymouth got into their stride but it still came as a shock when the visitors took the lead in the 30th minute. Luke Summerfield whipped over a cross and Joe Mason showed great skill to control and shoot home past Jonny Brain. Steve Jones went off injured just before half time to be replaced by Paul Marshall.
Eight minutes after the restart Marshall got Walsall back into the game with a neat header. Walsall continued to press playing some good football and Reid scored what turned out to be the match winner with a right foot shot after running at the visitors defence.Kari Arnason was sent off for the visitors after pulling back Alex Nicholls who was looking likely to score. It was a quite entertaining game but club officials will be disappointed that just 3,003 turned up in the home sections of the stadium.
