WEMBLEY 2015
AND SO, the wait is over. Walsall FC finally step out at Wembley Stadium in the Final of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. With over 29,500 spectators cheering us on, it is an occasion to savour and one that will go down in history.With the Wembley sun shining, it was City who had the first effort as Luke Freeman fired over in the opening exchanges, whilst at the other end, Anthony Forde drills in an effort that was saved by the 'keeper.
It was City who looked the most likely side in the opening quarter-of-an-hour and they took the lead when Aden Flint headed home at the far post from a corner.
As The Saddlers looked to get into our stride, a cross from the left by Andy Taylor was headed just over by Jordan Cook.
A free-kick out wide following a foul on Bradshaw sees Forde deliver an inviting ball into the area which was half-cleared as far as Sam Mantom who fired well wide of the target.
There was a booking for Romaine Sawyers on 38 minutes for a foul out wide.
As half-time approached, there was a sweet volley from Andy Taylor from distance which just dipped over.
The Saddlers went into the interval having shown some positive periods of play but trailing by a goal to nil.
With 51 minutes on the clock, Walsall fell two goals behind when Mark Little's header was saved at close range by Richard O'Donnell but Little was able to bundle home from close range.
The Saddlers started to up the tempo as Cook's cross-cum-shot hit the woodwork as City defended for their lives to deny Bradshaw as he looked to profit from the rebound.
As the fans turned up the volume, Jordy Hiwula replaced Bradshaw on 61 minutes.
After firing over, Forde is replaced with 74 minutes on the clock as Ashley Grimes enters the action. The last change came with ten minutes to go as James Baxendale replaced Cook.
In the end, it wasn't to be as we slipped to a 2-0 defeat.