By David Penniall
January 29 2007

The Saddlers went into the game with Boston on the back of a very disappointing defeat at Mansfield last weekend. Richard Money’s men were hoping to get back on form and maybe increase their lead at the top of the table with 3 points from this encounter.

Richard Money made two changes for the visit of Boston with Hector Sam replacing new Swedish striker Par Cederqvist and Dean Keates replacing Kris Taylor. The rest of the team was as expected with Clayton Ince in goal, across the back Chris Westwood, Ian Roper, Scott Dann and Daniel Fox. In midfield Mark Wright, Craig Pead, Michael Dobson and Dean Keates with Hector Sam and Martin Butler upfront. On the bench for The Super Saddlers’ were Bertrand Bossu, Anthony Gerrard, Kris Taylor, Par Cederqvist and Ishmel Demontagnac.

 

Ian Roper lasted just 17 minutes before being replaced by Gerrard through injury. Despite losing the rock at the heart of defence early on Walsall enjoyed the majority of the possession and took the lead through Martin Butler in the 19th minute when Boston ‘keeper Andy Marriott lost out in an aerial challenge with Butler (which to be fair could have been a foul with some referee’s) who rammed the loose ball into the net for his 10th goal of the season.

 

Boston were determined to battle and battle they did with the referee letting everything go with no cards being shown. Boston pulled level 5 minutes later when Mark Greaves headed down a high cross from Jamie Clarke and, in trying to clear the ball, Walsall’s highly rated defender Scott Dann sliced the ball into his own net. Dann has attempted to beat Clayton Ince on numerous occasions this season, at last he has succeeded.

 

The Saddlers pushed forward in the second-half looking for the winning goal but couldn't score against a very determined defence which was never going to give up on it’s duties. The Boston centre backs where tested for pace throughout but they, Paul Ellinder and Bradley Thomas the two in question were outstanding for the visitors.

 

With time running out, The Saddlers 'keeper Clayton Ince had to dive at the feet of Boston substitute Francis Green in a rare Boston raid and, with two minutes left, The Saddlers’ substitute Ishmel Demontagnac went on a superb run which saw him brought down and the referee awarded a free kick. Defender Danny Fox's blistering 30-yard effort was brilliantly tipped over by the Boston 'keeper Marriott.