Osborn’s Match

Scunthorpe had obviously had a rollicking from Laws at half time, as they came out in a much more positive mood, but Walsall stayed secure enough, so much so that Ruddy wasn’t having to touch the ball in anger. The old failings from this season showed up again, though, after nine minutes, when the defence went completely to sleep and top scorer Sharp was left with a simple tap in to equalise for the ten men.

Time for someone to take the game by the scruff of the neck and someone did - Simon Osborn. He first produced an exquisite chip from the edge of the box to put the Saddlers ahead again, a goal which should be a contender for goal of the week, probably goal of the month and maybe goal of the season, then turned his man and hammered home the third to surely take the points.
The Saddlers finished with Husbands, Wright and Fryatt on the pitch and Scunthorpe were unable to take any risks with that much pace lined up against them

3 - 1 to the Saddlers then, as the players again responded to a bad run as they did so often last season. This was not a great performance, however, as the lapses were still there at the back, it’s just that Scunthorpe never looked capable of exploiting them. Three very, very welcome points and a confidence boost, however.

Man of the Match was undoubtedly the magnificent Osborn, who was superb in midfield even without the two goals, but Smith also had a fine game, as he starts to reach match fitness at last.