A goal in each half from Freddie Draper and Oisin McEntee saw Walsall defeat Crewe Alexandra at the Bescot Stadium yesterday.
Manager Lee Bell made 2 changes from Friday’s 3-1 home defeat against Barrow as Connor O’Riordan and Joe White came into the side for Conor Thomas and Elliott Nevitt. At the same time, Chris Long would return to the matchday squad for the first time since October while former Alex defender Donervon Daniels captained the hosts.
The game’s opening chance came in the 9th minute with a White free-kick easily saved by Jackson Smith before Aaron Rowe would drag a shot wide following a run from the halfway line. Isaac Hutchinson would have an effort blocked by stand-in captain Mickey Demetriou on 26 minutes before the hosts took the lead 7 minutes later as Draper headed in an inswinging corner from Ryan Stirk from close range.
Ryan Cooney would have an effort from distance saved by Smith before Courtney Baker-Richardson headed one just past the post from a Demetriou cross. The Saddlers would double their lead just after the hour mark as McEntee would glance another inswinging corner in at the near post.
The next couple of games see the Alex travel to Newport County on Friday before returning to the Alexandra Stadium as we host Bradford City on New Year’s Day.
Final Thoughts:
There were another couple of simple goals that we conceded, the first a corner where Draper scored from about 3 yards out in the middle of the goal and the second a goal where McEntee was outside the front post when he made contact with his header.
Having Long back will help with another senior body along with club captain Luke Offord returning after suspension on Friday night.