Walsall were soundly beaten 3-1 at the KC Stadium after a dreadful first half performance against Hull today.
Walsall made three changes from their LDV victory over Cheltenham, bringing in Fryatt, Wright and Osborn for Kris Taylor, Bazeley and Birch.
However, Hull were ahead after only nine seconds when Nicky Barmby fired home Stuart Green’s low right wing cross. Stuart Elliot then fired in a 34th minute strike, his drive deflecting off Michael Standing and leaving Joe Murphy rooted to the spot, to make the score 2-0. Five minutes later Junior Lewis burst into the area, evaded the challenge of Mark Wright and fired low past Murphy to make it 3-0 to City.
Walsall came out strongly after the break, and dominated for long periods. Standing pulled a goal back (48) with a low 25 yard drive but the Saddlers were unable to net again. Merson somehow missed from Aranalde’s cross, while the Spaniard fired wide and a Fryatt effort was blocked when the 18 year old top scorer should have scored. Merson then came close with a long distance strike but City emerged victorious as Merson’s Walsall continue to struggle.