Walsall 1-4 Leicester City

The Saddlers turned in a hard working performance but were eventually hammered at home by an inability to defend set pieces. The returning Junior was livley, while Darren Wrack replaced Steve Corica.

Walsall started brightly using a wing back formation with O Connor and Simpson battling for every ball. 

Both teams were playing some good football without seriously posing a threat. Before Leicester took a two goal advantage into the break Walsall’s only real efforts were of the long range variety from Junior.

 Leicester’s only real attempt was on the half hour mark after Dickov outfoxed (sorry!) Barras and floated a ball onto the unmarked Benjamin’s head. Fortunately Walker managed to stop the ball on the line. The rest of the half was played out in determined fashion with neither side creating much in front of goal. Junior looked keen, and had to efforts from distance, as well as peeling of the front line to create chances.

However, Leicester gained a free kick on the edge of the box after Barras had dubiously been penalised by the inconsistent Rennie for nothing more serious than a good tackle. At this point the Saddlers defence dozed off and an excellently worked free kick saw Dickov, in acres of space, nod passed Walker.

 A few minutes later, Junior was fouled on the half way line and after tackling back the free kick went the way of the Foxes (again). This time Scowcroft in acres of space volleyed the resultant cross towards goal only for Walker, employing his non stick gloves, to make a hash of keeping the ball out of the net. It is worth noting that the irritable Benjamin struggled all afternoon with the Bescot breeze being blown to the ground on numerous occasions. 

The second half played out in much the same way. Walsall were workmanlike but could not muster any quality balls into the box. In contrast, Leicester gained two more free kicks and made both of them count. Both free kicks resulted in excellent quality deliveries being put away by the completely unmarked Elliott and Scowcroft. Overall we were beaten by the best side in the first division. However, our own “good team” performance was let down by poor quality in the final third and an inability to defend set pieces.