Match Report
| Walsall | Walsall |  |  | Port Vale | Port Vale | ||||||||||||||||
| John Townsley | John Townsley | Gert Van de weerd | Gert Van de weerd | ||||||||||||||||||
| James Gardner | J. Gardner |  | 55 | G |  | 1 | | G | 56 | | Greg Pearce | G. Pearce | |||||||||
| Kieron Keegan | K. Keegan | | 51 | D |  | 2 |  | D | 56 | | Ashley Mercer | A. Mercer | |||||||||
| John Joachim | J. Joachim | | 50 | D | | 3 | | D | 48 | | Craig Carlton | C. Carlton | |||||||||
| Nick McManaman | N. McManaman | | 44 | D | | 4 | | D | 46 |  | Alejandro Capezzuto | A. Capezzuto | |||||||||
| Sol Cort | S. Cort | | 49 | D | | 5 | | M | 60 | | Jody Shearer | J. Shearer | |||||||||
| Melvin Morales | M. Morales |  | 54 | M | | 6 | | M | 59 | | Titus Carragher | T. Carragher | |||||||||
| Mark Drake | M. Drake | | 48 | M | | 7 | | M | 59 | | Gavin Griffin | G. Griffin | |||||||||
| Les Seaman | L. Seaman | | 60 | M | | 8 | | M | 55 | | Lomano Drake | L. Drake | |||||||||
| Jonathan Owen | J. Owen | | 60 | A | | 9 | | A | 58 |  | Abubakari Beelenkamp | A. Beelenkamp | |||||||||
| Florian Krankl | F. Krankl |  | 53 | A | | 10 | | A | 51 | | Alan Sturridge | A. Sturridge | |||||||||
| Gilles Myers | G. Myers | | 51 | A | | 11 | | A | 46 | | Ben Merson | B. Merson | |||||||||
 today's match is sponsored by LateOfPablo |
Match Report
There is a slight drizzle in the air here at Vitality Stadium where Walsall play host to Port Vale. A crowd of 4,492 fill this 5,000 capacity stadium.
Walsall are playing in a 4-4-2 formation while Port Vale appear to be shaped for 3-4-3.
Walsall are playing in a 4-4-2 formation while Port Vale appear to be shaped for 3-4-3.
0.00
0-0Walsall get the match underway!
2.01
0-0Craig Carlton passes the ball forward to Jody Shearer. Jody Shearer makes a simple pass to Alan Sturridge. Alan Sturridge shoots from 20 yards. The ball comes in low, but James Gardner easily smothers it!
8.34
Mark Drake controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Gilles Myers. Gilles Myers controls the ball perfectly and tries a long range shot on goal. Greg Pearce easily smothers it.
18.55
0-0Titus Carragher makes a simple pass to Ben Merson. Ben Merson knocks in a poor cross ball which is cleared easily by Kieron Keegan.
21.20
0-1Titus Carragher flicks the ball to his team mate, Ben Merson. Ben Merson goes all the way! Ben Merson takes a shot at goal. It's a goal!! What a beauty!
24.45
0-1Ben Merson comes in with a late challenge on Nick McManaman. Ben Merson is warned by the referee! Nick McManaman runs off the knock.
26.53
Titus Carragher barges into Mark Drake. Titus Carragher is warned by the referee! Mark Drake runs off the knock.
27.51
John Joachim controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Les Seaman. Les Seaman makes a probing pass to Gilles Myers. Gilles Myers shoots from 25 yards. The ball swerves viciously but the keeper is more than a match for it. Saved!
28.19
0-1Port Vale are easily keeping Walsall at bay, but can't capitalise on it.
32.35
0-1Nick McManaman flicks the ball to his team mate, Les Seaman. Les Seaman brings the ball forward. Les Seaman goes all the way! Les Seaman takes a shot at goal but connects badly and the ball goes wide!
33.45
0-1Les Seaman passes the ball forward to Gilles Myers. Gilles Myers deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Florian Krankl but the linesman indicates offside!
38.12
John Joachim deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Melvin Morales. Melvin Morales deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Gilles Myers. Gilles Myers shoots from long range. The ball comes in low, but Greg Pearce easily smothers it!
39.30
Ashley Mercer passes the ball forward to Lomano Drake. Lomano Drake threads the ball through to Ben Merson. Ben Merson makes a simple pass to Alan Sturridge. Alan Sturridge makes some space for himself and shoots at goal but it flies wide!
42.04
Alejandro Capezzuto passes the ball forward to Gavin Griffin. Gavin Griffin knocks the ball to his team mate, Ben Merson. Ben Merson knocks in a cross ball but it is headed clear by Nick McManaman.
45.00
The referee blows for the end of the first half
45.00
Port Vale kick off the second half!
49.29
Les Seaman flicks the ball to his team mate, Florian Krankl. Florian Krankl goes all the way! Florian Krankl cuts inside the defence and shoots at goal. Florian Krankl scores for Walsall!!
54.57
Gavin Griffin knocks the ball forward to Ben Merson. Ben Merson finds some space and shoots from distance but he skews it badly. The ball flies well over the bar!
57.04
Craig Carlton deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Lomano Drake. Lomano Drake makes a probing pass to Ben Merson. Ben Merson goes all the way! Ben Merson shows great control and tries a shot on goal but it is tipped over by James Gardner.
61.32
Titus Carragher clumsily knocks into Les Seaman. Titus Carragher is given another warning by the referee! Les Seaman stretches but gets up unharmed.
63.37
Gavin Griffin kicks a strong pass forward to Alan Sturridge. Alan Sturridge shoots from 20 yards but he balloons it over the crossbar!
65.36
Nick McManaman knocks the ball to his team mate, Mark Drake. Mark Drake knocks the ball to his team mate, Florian Krankl. Florian Krankl lofts in a cross ball towards Gilles Myers. Gilles Myers flicks the ball with his head but it flies wide!
67.43
1-1Florian Krankl hacks Ashley Mercer from behind! Florian Krankl is shown the yellow card! Ashley Mercer runs off the knock.
72.03
Les Seaman comes in with a late challenge on Titus Carragher. The referee reaches into his pocket ... it's a yellow card! Titus Carragher stretches but gets up unharmed.
81.14
Walsall are easily keeping Port Vale at bay, but can't capitalise on it.
83.19
Mark Drake makes a beautiful pass to the feet of Florian Krankl. Florian Krankl passes the ball forward to Gilles Myers. Gilles Myers shoots from just inside the box but connects badly, narrowly missing the linesman!
85.28
1-1Ben Merson catches Sol Cort on the ankles. Ben Merson is warned by the referee again! Sol Cort carries on, but is struggling a bit.
90.00
The whistle indicates full-time!
Match Statistics
Goals
1
1
Shots on Target
4
3
Shots off Target
3
3
Offsides
2
0
Fouls
2
4
Yellow Cards
2
0
Red Cards
0
0
Possession
54.8%
45.2%
Play Area
31.5%
43.8%
24.7%
Scorers
| Florian Krankl 49 | Ben Merson 21 |