Road to Wembley - Saddle up for Walsall

Conference boys and our N&R Road to Wembley team Fleetwood were beaten by Walsall in their 1st Rd replay, so the Sadlers now take move on with our full support.

Walsall began the day bottom of League One but despite a great start from Fleetwood, Walsall won at a canter.

Fleetwood did start the game well however with Barry, Linwood and Seddon all going close in the space of a couple of minutes and Jamie McGuire having a shot cleared off the line on the half hour.

It was agony for the large number of Cod Army supporters who had made the journey down the M6. The pattern continued with Steve McNulty and Clancy, again, not quite able to convert opportunities and Thorpe stooping to head at the far post, an incident which left him injured momentarily. Walsall keeper, James Walker, was being kept busy.

Walsall came out strongly n the second half but and the decisive opening goal went to the Division 1 side who converted their first real opportunity. A great cross from Nicholls found REID on the back post and he fired home from point-blank range after 58 minutes.

Needing to push up, Town left themselves open and REID sealed the tie and an away trip to Torquay with his second just before the end.

Attendance: 2,056
Fleetwood manager Micky Mellon: "The score line flatters Walsall and the stats will show we had 7, 8 or 9 very good chances. I’m talking about clear opportunities and not half chances. Their keeper has kept them in the FA Cup.”