Southend Shocker

29th March 2010

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Following Walsall's fine second half performance in last Saturday's home game with Colchester United when against all odds Saddlers battled away superbly and claimed a late winner, hopes were high that the trip to Roots Hall would be fruitful against lowly Southend United who had not won in 12 previous games. The game started with The Shrimpers showing their statement of intent as they surged forward forcing a series of corners with the alertness of Jamie Vincent and Matty Richards in particular clearing up potential danger.

Walsall held out until the 19th minute when Moussi fired home with a low, hard shot which gave Rene Gilmartin no chance to give the decent home crowd something to shout about aided by a very noisy and very annoying drummer and gave an indication that Walsall were going to be in for a very busy night against a club fighting for its very survival never mind its League One status.Walsall offered very little in the opening half other than a terrific free kick which Richards slammed against the underside of the bar and a shot from Steve Jones which cleared the bar. Moussi fired another shot which whistled just wide of the goal in the 33rd minute and then came a moment of madness from centre back Clayton Mc Donald who did a two footed challenge on Anthony Grant. This became Walsall's 3rd red card in the last four games- a most unwanted statistic especially as Saddlers players have collected a few injuries of late. Midfielder Josh O'Keefe was replaced by Manny Smith who lined up along Vincent. Any faint hope that Walsall had of getting back into this game was ended in the 51st minute when the dangerous Moussi crossed for Scott Spencer to net and a miserable night for Saddlers was completed in the the final minute as Grant found Man Of The Match Moussi to calmly head home. Walsall were fortunate to limit the home side to just three goals. It could easily have doubled that score as Walsall simply didn't have many attacking options and had their work cut out to prevent an eager Southend running riot. Matt Richards was replaced by Peter Till on 46 mins and Mark Bradley came on for Dwayne Mattis on 78 mins as both players had taken knocks. It will be a game that the players will want to forget but the 107 die hards who made the trip will take a long time to forget this one. A big improvement is called for the weekend as Walsall head to Exeter.