Salford 2 Walsall 0 - Report
Walsall’s winning run ended at the fifth attempt with a 2-0 loss away at Salford City on Boxing Day.
Both sides started the game brightly and looked dangerous on the counter-attack but the hosts struck after 16 minutes when former Manchester United man James Wilson finished neatly from six yards.
The Saddlers huffed and puffed and made several tactical changes in the second half but struggled to break down a stubborn Salford defence.
With three minutes remaining on the clock Luke Burgess scored a superb goal after a tricky solo run to end all hopes of a Walsall comeback.
The result ended Walsall’s run of wins after four consecutive victories.
Darrell Clarke made one change to his side, sticking with the 4-2-3-1 formation.
Rory Holden, who picked up an injury in midweek, was not involved. Emmanuel Osadebe replaced him in the starting XI and Jack Nolan took his place on the bench.
Goalscoring hero from last week, Jake Scrimshaw, was also among the substitutes.
Despite travelling with the squad, Zak Jules and George Nurse did not make the squad following recent injuries. As Callum Cockerill-Mollett was also not fit, right-back Cameron Norman started at left-back.
Richie Wellens named an unchanged team for the third game in a row, also starting with a 4-2-3-1 formation.
The hosts only named six substitutes.
Wes McDonald was first to test goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky. Elijah Adebayo held the ball up well and allowed Josh Gordon to feed McDonald on the left wing. His low effort was collected well by the goalkeeper.
Salford took the lead after 16 minutes. Brandon Thomas-Asante did well on the right wing to deliver a powerful low cross for striker Wilson who turned home from six yards.
Walsall were still well in the game, however, and Dan Scarr should have done better when his free header from a corner flew over the bar.
Both sides threatened going forward, with some talented attacking players on display, but with five minutes left of the first half both teams were looking for that final pass in the final third.
A superb delivery from Ash Hunter almost ended with a Salford goal when Jack Rose fumbled the ball. Ian Henderson was then appealing for a penalty following a Osadebe challenge, but referee Scott Oldham was unmoved.
The first half ended with the hosts leading 1-0.
As the Saddlers came out for the second half, Norman moved to right-back and Hayden White moved to left-back.
Liam Kinsella also moved slightly further forward in midfield alongside Osadebe, meaning Walsall moved to a 4-5-1 formation.
A double change after 56 minutes saw Scrimshaw and Danny Guthrie replace Osadebe and Alfie Bates, meaning Walsall changed to a 4-4-2 formation.
A poor pass in midfield from Guthrie allowed Salford to break at speed and as Hunter shot from inside the box, Kinsella saved Walsall with a sliding block.
Gordon was appealing for a penalty following a clash with Ibou Touray, but nothing was given.
As the game edged into the final 15 minutes Walsall were playing the ball long in hope of getting in behind the Salford defence.
The introduction of Jack Nolan and Caolan Lavery meant Walsall changed to a three-at-the-back formation in a final throw of the dice.
With three minutes remaining Salford doubled their lead through Burgess. The substitute picked the ball up on the right, cut inside, and tricked his way through the defence to finish into the bottom corner.
Rose pulled off a superb save to deny Hunter after a blistering counter-attack put him one-on-one with the goalkeeper. He tipped his effort onto the bar and removed the danger.
The Saddlers fell to defeat in the North West, ending their winning run. As the whistle blew for full-time a scuffle erupted between the two teams with suggestions that a punch may have been thrown. The referee missed it, however, and no cards were given.
Teams
Walsall: Rose, Norman, Scarr, Clarke, White (Nolan, 76), Bates (Guthrie, 56), Kinsella, Gordon, Osadebe (Scrimshaw, 56), McDonald, Adebayo (Lavery, 76).
Subs not used: Roberts, Sadler, Sinclair.
Salford: Hladky, Clarke, Eastham, Bernard, Touray, Threlkeld, Lowe, Thomas-Asante (Turnbull, 82), Wilson (Burgess, 82), Hunter (Andrade, 91), Henderson (Dieseruvwe, 89).
Subs not used: Hayes, Elliot.
