Walsall 1 Cheltenham 2 - Report

Despite the visitors fighting for automatic promotion this year the Saddlers made the perfect start after four minutes when Caolan Lavery chipped the goalkeeper from 25 yards.

Both sides were battling a tough playing surface but were determined to get the ball down and play.

A Dan Scarr mistake, from a poor pass, allowed the Robins to attack and Sam Smith smoothly finished to equalise. Cheltenham showed their class in the closing stages of the half and added another through Callum Wright before the break.

Walsall battled for a way back into the game in the second half but were contained well in what became a dull affair - condemning them to a 2-1 defeat.

Dutton made two changes to the side in his first game in charge, moving to a 4-1-4-1 formation.

Frank Vincent came in for his first start since joining on-loan, while Cameron Norman returned to the starting XI for the first time since early January.

Right-back Norman was playing an unfamiliar role in defensive midfield, sitting in front of the back four.

Alfie Bates dropped to the bench while Tyreik Wright was not included in the squad. The young winger withdrew with injury in the last game. Fellow loanee Jayden Reid took his place on the bench.

Rory Holden, James Clarke and Stuart Sinclair were also not involved.

Michael Duff also made two changes to his Cheltenham side, in their 5-3-2 formation. Smith and Wright came into the team.

All it took was four minutes for the Saddlers to take the lead - in spectacular fashion. Josh Gordon picked out Lavery who was bearing down on goal on the right side. With defenders backtracking and the goalkeeper still to beat, Lavery lifted a delightful chip from 25 yards over Josh Griffiths. It was his first goal since early November.

Wes McDonald was a shining light for Walsall in the opening stages of the game, with some dangerous attacking runs and crosses.

Despite the host’s strong start, the Robins almost hit back after 14 minutes. Alfie May was picked out on the left side of the box and his strike cut across goal and hit the far post before being cleared to safety.

Following that chance the visitors began to dominate the ball. Both sides were dealing with a difficult pitch, however, that was getting torn up with every passing moment.

Cheltenham were gifted an equaliser after 35 minutes. Scarr played a poor pass into the path of May who ran at goal and slipped in Smith who finished neatly with his first touch.

Then, on the stroke of half-time, the visitors took the lead. Finn Azaz played a one-two on the left and cut the ball back for Wright who squeezed his shot in at the near post from 20 yards.

It was the last action of the half as Walsall entered the break losing 2-1.

As the second half got underway the Saddlers changed to a 5-2-3 formation. Norman moved to right-wing-back and Hayden White moved to one of three centre-backs.

The half almost started in disastrous fashion for Walsall when May neatly turned and nutmegged Scarr before having his shot blocked.

Walsall were holding onto the ball much better in the second half as they implemented Dutton’s style of passing out from the back.

They were failing, however, to have much of an attacking threat. A Gordon header from a Vincent corner was the closest they came after 60 minutes as it glanced just past the post.

Wright then headed over from a Chris Hussey cross for the Robins. With the visitors in the ascendency Liam Roberts made a good save to deny substitute George Lloyd before White slid in to deny a follow-up.

As the game ticked beyond 75 minutes a flash of brilliance from McDonald saw him dance past two defenders and take aim, only to shoot wide.

A mistake from Matty Blair, who let the ball run as last man, almost put Gordon through on goal but Griffiths traced off his line to clear it.

The Saddlers pushed for an equaliser in the final minutes of the game but it failed to materialise as they fell to defeat.

Teams

Walsall: Roberts, Norman, White, Scarr, Sadler, Melbourne, Kinsella, Vincent (Bates, 73), Gordon, McDonald (Osei Yaw, 81), Lavery (Nolan, 73).

Subs not used: Rose, Cockerill-Mollett, Osadebe, Reid.

Cheltenham: Griffiths, Raglan, Tozer, Boyle, Blair, Thomas, Wright (Vassilev, 68), Azaz, Hussey, May (Lloyd, 68), Smith (Williams, 84).

Subs not used: Flinders, Long, Freestone, Chapman.

--