Walsall 0 Southend 1 - Report and pictures

A first half goal Simon Cox was enough to see the Shrimers grab all three points in an uninspiring and uneventful League One clash.

Both teams struggled to find any rhythm for the majority of the game – although the Saddlers finished strong with Erhun Oztumer and Daniel Agyei both having chances to earn their side a point.

But in the end it was Phil Brown’s side who clung on to claim all three points much to the frustration of the home crowd.

Analysis

In naming his starting line-up, Jon Whitney made one enforced change from that side that secured Walsall’s biggest away victory in 17 months at Doncaster.

With Florent Cuvelier ruled out with a minor injury, Shaun Donnellan came in to central defence as the boss switched to dynamic 3-4-1-2 system.

It meant Amadou Bakayoko partnered Tyler Roberts up front with Erhun Oztumer operating just behind in the number 10 role.

Southend lined up in a traditional 4-4-2 formation which included ex-Saddler Jason Demetriou at right-back while former Wolves star Michael Kightly started on the left of midfield.

In what proved a sluggish opening 15 minutes, both teams struggled to find any intensity or rhythm with neither side seemingly able to grab the game by the scruff of the neck.

It was the Shrimpers though who drew first blood, with Phil Brown’s side opening the scoring thanks – in part – to some poor defending from the home side.

After Kightly had intercepted a James Wilson pass, the winger raced down the left before sending in a low ball towards Marc-Antoine Fortune.

But both Donnellan and Jon Guthrie failed to clear as the delivery bobbled around the Saddlers box. And that allowed Josh Wright to nip in and tee up Cox who fired in from close range.

Walsall’s response was immediate with Joe Edwards hitting a low drive which a sliding Erhun Oztumer was inches away from tapping in at the back post.

Whitney’s men then continued to press for an equaliser as the clocked ticked towards half-time with Roberts seeing a 20-yard drive beaten away by the keeper.

The Albion loanee then slipped in Edwards who hit a low strike that was comfortably claimed by Mark Oxley.

In truth though, both sides made their way off at the break having failed to capture the imagination with clear cut chances having been few and far between.

It was the Shrimpers who threatened first after the interval with Fortune tricking his way into the box before flashing a cross-come-shot inches past the post.

But with the game still proving uneventful as the clocked ticked past the hour mark, Whitney opted to make a double change with Dan Agyei and Kieron Morris replacing Luke Leahy and Bakayoko.

Despite the substitutions it was Southend who threatened next with a corner eventually falling for Cox who saw a low strike well claimed by Mark Gillespie.

In a bid to make something happen Whitney made his third and final change in the 80th minute with Zeli Ismail replacing Wilson.

It meant the Saddlers switched to a midfield diamond with Chambers as the base, Ismail and Edwards central and Oztumer at the tip.

And the change almost proved a masterstroke when, moments later, Ismail darted past Stephen McLaughlin before hitting the byline and delivering a dangerous low cross.

The ball looked destined to be side footed into the net by Agyei but Demetriou did brilliantly to hack the ball clear from just in front of his own goal line.

With time now running out, Whitney’s men began pilling forward at will.

They came close once again when Roberts cut the ball back to Oztumer who saw a goal-bound strike blocked by a flying Demetriou.

Undeterred, the Saddlers continued to press and they almost grabbed an equaliser in the 90th minute when Edwards slipped in Agyei.

On the angle, the Burnley loanee hit a rasping drive that Oxley brilliantly tipped over the bar. From the resultant corner, Jon Guthrie headed over.

Walsall continued to press forward in five minutes of stoppage time. Edwards saw a deflected strike sail through to Oxley while Agyei fired wide from just outside the box.

But in the end it was the Shrimpers who held on to claim only their second away win of the season.

Key moments

10 Anthony Wordsworth drills a left-footed shot well wide from 25-yards.

16 Jason Demetriou's drive from Wordsworth's short free-kick is blocked.

17 Goal Southend. James Wilson is dispossessed by Michael Kightly who crosses low into the area and the ball manages to find Cox, who fires home.

22 Joe Edwards' shot is deflected through to the far post but a sliding Erhun Oztumer can't connect.

31 Tyler Roberts fires straight at Mark Oxley from 20-yards.

41 Oztumer jinks around the Southend box before seeing a shot blocked by a defender.

42 Roberts hits a fizzing drive which is beaten away by Oxley.

45 Roberts’ reverse pass plays in Edwards but his low strike is claimed by the keeper.

47 Marc-Antoine Fortune flashes a cross-come-shot across goal.

59 Edwards' right-footed drive from 20-yards is claimed by Oxley.

66 Oztumer feeds Roberts down the left but his low driven cross is well cleared by Anton Ferdinand.

72 Following a Southend corner, Cox hits a snap shot which is well claimed by Mark Gillespie.

76 Wordsworth drills a strike wide from 25-yards.

82 Zeli Ismail darts to the byline before delivering a cross which Agyei would tap in but for a brilliant Demetriou clearance.

87 Oztumer cuts infield onto his right foot before firing well wide.

89 Oztumer's strike is blocked by a flying Demetriou.

90 Edwards slips in Daniel Agyei who sees a blistering drive tipped over by Oxley.

93 McLaughlin's cross-shot is palmed away by Gillespie.

96 Agyei fires wide from just outside the box.

Teams

Walsall: Walsall Gillespie, Kinsella, Wilson (Ismail 79), Donnellan, Guthrie, Leahy (Morris 67), Edwards, Chambers, Oztumer, T.Roberts, Bakayoko (Agyei 67).

Subs not used: L.Roberts, Devlin, K.Roberts, Jackson.

Southend: Oxley, Demetriou, Ferdinand, White, Timlon, Wright, Leonard, Wordsworth, Kightly (McLaughlin 77), Fortune (Ranger 70), Cox.

Subs not used: Bishop, Ba, Yearwood, Robinson, Bwomono.

Position

League One: 15th