Michael Standing’s first goal for Walsall was not enough to earn all three points for the Saddlers at home to Sheffield Wednesday today.
Manager Paul Merson made changes following a 1-3 defeat at Doncaster last time around, bringing in new signing Jon Brewers in place of Darren Bazeley. Kofi Dakinah replaced an out of sorts Neil Emblen, Mark Kinsella came into the midfield alongside Standing and Leroy Williams made his first Walsall start.
Wednesday took the lead after 16 minutes following a series of errors in the home defence; Mark Paston almost stopped Steve Maclean from scoring only for Glenn Whelan to beat Julian Bennett to the lose ball to put the Owls ahead.
Dakinah’s debut was cut short by a hamstring injury sustained as the Dane stretched to make a clearance. On came Neil Emblen, and it was his far post header from Aranalde’s free kick which enabled Standing to fire through Lucas’s legs from a few yards out (39).
Whelan then hit the bar with a rasping volley as half time approached.
Paston produced two reflex stops to deny Ndumbu-Nsungu and Whelan before Ndumbu-Nsungu somehow headed wide from six yards out. Walsall sent on Fryatt and Merson for Osborn and Williams as Walsall pressed for victory. Merson immediately set up Wrack, who was far too casual and saw his close range effort palmed away.