SADDLERS WIN AT LATICS
-THE SADDLERS stepped out for our first away League game of the season at Oldham with an unchanged team for the third game in a row.
The early action saw a free-kick from Ashley Hemmings headed out for an early corner which was scrambled clear by the home defence.
A few stray passes from The Latics as David Mellor brings down Milan Lalkovic in full flow for another free-kick, this time on the opposite side. Too much on it from James Baxendale.
A break from the midfield by the home side saw Jose Baxter's eventual cross gathered by Richard O'Donnell, who then did well to deal with a corner shortly afterwards.
With 12 minutes on the clock, a corner from Baxendale causes problems for former Saddlers' loanee, Mark Oxley, in the home goal but the ball is cleared for another flag-kick ahead of Paul Downing.
Sweeping move sees Ashley Hemmings pick out Mal Benning on the far side and he wins a corner which was defended at the near post.
Richard O'Donnell had to be alert to deny Cristian Montano from close range after loud appeals for a penalty for handball in the build-up.
A clearance from Paul Downing sets Milan Lalkovic off in chase and he manages to force a corner which comes to nothing.
The Saddlers took the lead on 25 minutes when a neat move ended with James Baxendale finding the net once more to open the scoring.
Charlie MacDonald lined a shot up for the visitors but it flew well over.
As the clock ticks down in the opening period, a strike from Ashley Hemmings flies well over.
With two minutes of added time, a purposeful break into the area by Sam Mantom saw him crowded out as he looked to set up a chance for Craig Westcarr.
HALF-TIME: Oldham Athletic 0 Walsall 1
A tricky run from Lalkovic saw him feed Westcarr who failed to connect properly and the chance was lost.
A teasing cross from half-time substitute, Sidney Schmeltz was well punched clear by Richard O'Donnell. Shortly afterwards a chance opened up for the same player who this time blazed over.
After a positive break by Mal Benning saw him felled, the resulting free-kick from Westcarr hit the wall but as the ball stayed alive, Baxendale forced a corner that bounced agonisingly across the face of goal.
The ball was rebounding around the Walsall area before Jose Baxter fired powerfully over.
After O'Donnell did well to gathered James Tarkowski's header, Westcarr forced a corner before being substituted as Romaine Sawyers took his place.
Early chance for Sawyers who was caught offside as Hemmings received a booking for a foul.
The Saddlers rebuffing a spell of pressure from the hosts.
A lapse in concentration by the hosts allowed Romaine Sawyers in but his low effort lack the power to trouble Oxley in the home goal.
With just under ten minutes to go, Nicky Featherstone replaced Ashley Hemmings.
There was a late change as Troy Hewitt came on for Milan Lalkovic.
The Saddlers kept the ball well late on and survived a late to secure another hard-earned and well deserved three points.
FULL-TIME: Oldham Athletic 0 Walsall 1