GrangeParkCobbler
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« on: October 04, 2021, 16:38:55 pm » |
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A slimmed down version of the match preview for this one....a bit like an 8 page program issued for the game if you like!!
Walsall are the visitors to Sixfields for the second group game in this seasons Papa Johns Trophy. The Saddlers sit atop the group having won their opener against Brighton U21's, a 1-0 win courtesy of a Kieran Phillips goal, that being one of only three wins so far this season for them. All three wins have come at home, League wins have come against Stevenage and Mansfield, whilst on the road they have creditable draws at Bradford and latterly at the weekend against Exeter.
Matt Taylor manages the team, a former player of ours he is in his first managerial role save for a spell in interim charge of Swindon.
Former players in their ranks are Ash Taylor who has made six league starts and a couple more sub appearances since his move from Aberdeen in the summer. He did not feature in the matchday squad at the weekend, but one other former Cobbler did. Matt Sadler, now 36 years of age and a Cobbler of 2003/4 vintage was an unused sub. Sadler played eight games for us on loan from Birmingham and made a big money (750k) move to Watford back in 2008, but since then free transfer after free transfer have followed, this is actually his second spell at Walsall via Crawley, Rotherham and Shrewsbury.
George Miller has four goals in five games, including both goals in that 2-2 draw on Saturday, he also scored a brace in the 3-1 win over Mansfield. Kieran Phillips has three goals in all competitions.
There have been 82 previous meetings between the two teams, Walsall have the edge with 35 wins to our 32, just 15 draws in that time. They won on their last visit to Sixfields back in 2019, James Clarkes early goal being the deciding factor in that game. They also won the return game, coming back from 2 down (both scored by Callum Morton) to win 3-2 thanks to a last minute winner. In 2018 they also scored a last minute winner which consigned us to relegation from League 1 last time around. That game also secured their status in League 1 for another season and was watched by close on 9000 fans. Despite the close proximity of the two clubs this would appear to be the first meeting in this competition under its many guises. Walsall's best performance was as beaten finalists in 2015 when they lost 2-0 to Bristol City at Wembley. Walsall have won on 5 of their 10 visits to Sixfields, with two draws to add to that.
If Charles Breakspear is the ref then his record so far is 36 yellow cards and two reds in his ten games. We last saw him at Sixfields in April 2020 when we were beaten by Port Vale. He also reffed our game at Stevenage that season, where we won 1-0 despite having Harry Smith sent off.
EDIT: Something was bugging me as I was sure we'd played Walsall in this competition before although Soccerbase did not say so......thanks to 11v11 I have found a previous meeting, way back in 1984, the first season of the then Associate Members Cup.....we lost 3-1 to the Sadlers at Fellowes Park in front of a crowd of 3,190.
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« Last Edit: October 04, 2021, 17:37:26 pm by GrangeParkCobbler »
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The Hotel End GTA Champion 2006/7, 2007/8, 2011/12, 2012/13 and 2018/19
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