Harriers lost their second consecutive warm-up game at the hands of higher division opposition and again
they were beaten by two second half goals from a substitute, this time it was Gary Birch who has been
rumoured to be a Harriers target throughout the summer.
Walsall's new signing Paul Merson was the focus of attention during the early part of the game and he lived
up to his billing by forcing two excellent saves from Stuart Brock. After 11 minutes Stefan Oakes got
to the byline on the left and pulled the ball back to him on the edge of the penalty area and his blistering
shot was tipped over the bar for a corner. Four minutes later the attack came from the opposite flank
with Steve Corica becoming the provider, this time Merson's shot was palmed round the post by Brock.
Throughout a low-key opening half Harriers were restricted to a number of wayward long range shots, the best
chance fell to Matt Lewis midway through the period when he controlled the ball well on his chest and then
turned and hit a 25-yard shot just wide of the post. On the stroke of half time Dean Bennett also hit
a shot just wide from the edge of the penalty area.
Harriers were first to threaten after the break, Lewis and Sam Shilton combined on the left to carve an
opening for Danny Williams but he blazed his shot over the bar. Walsall took the lead minutes later, Birch
recieved a pass through the inside-right channel and skillfully tucked his shot past Brock inside the near
post. The home team tried to get back into the game and Lewis came close to levelling the scores with
twenty minutes remaining, curling a 20 yard free kick over the wall and just wide of the upright.
As the game drew to a close the action flowed from end to end, after 83 minutes Lee Ayres was called upon
to make a goalline clearance, then, at the other end Bo Henriksen got clear on goal but was denied by a
good save by sub keeper Aaron Kerr. Walsall attacked again straight away and were able to cut right
through the heart of the Harriers defence and when Birch received the ball he drilled it past Brock giving
him no chance.
|
