Walsall staged a great fightback against Brentford at the Banks's Stadium in midweek to win 3-2 and give themselves the much-needed boost of climbing out of the relegation places. The hard job, of course, is staying out of the bottom four now and the next game don't come any tougher- a home game against newly promoted Brighton And Hove Albion who will be looking to claim the League One title! But it is another home game and if they apply themselves and Brighton have a bit of an off day who knows?
The first 30 minutes of the Brentford game was every bit as disappointing as the previous outing at Plymouth and when The Saddlers went a goal behind to a Pim Balkestein stooping header it looked every bit as though Walsall would be on their way to another deafeat. Then in the 40th minute, following good work by Darren Byfield, Jon Macken produced a truely magnificent strike from fully 30 yards. Spotting the keeper was off his line he teed the shot up with dip and swerve to send a beauty into the top corner. One of the best-ever goals seen at Bescot for sure.
This wonder goal inspired the team to come out of their shells and the last five minutes of an otherwise poor showing gave way to a more positive determination by the players. Around ten minutes into the second period Walsall took the lead when Byfield fed on loan signing Jordan Cook from Sunderland who found the net from 15 yards. Walsall were really looking the part now and the transformation was striking.
Richard Taundry was at fault when the visitors levelled through Louis Grabban but not to be denied Walsall went 3-2 up when Macken notched his second on the game and his eighth of the season to send the home fans wild. Results elsewhere on the night went in Walsall's favour and the sense of pure relief was so evident at the final whistle.
