Never Mind The Quality, Feel The Win

The Merthyr vs Walsall FA Cup tie was decided in the end by the superior ability of the League side, but this was hardly a great advert for the game.

Walsall lined up Gillmartin, Gerrard, Roper, Staunton, Bennett, Fox, Broad, Kinsella, Taylor, Leitao and Fryatt, in what turned out to be more of a 5 3 2 than a 3 5 2. Despite Merson saying that Fox would be captain, it was Staunton who got the armband. Maybe the rumours are true and this will be his last game for the club before departing to Eire?

Paul Merson has already said on a couple of occasions this season that he cannot understand why the players are ignoring instructions and playing the ball long. He must be despairing this morning, as Walsall time and time again fell into the trap of lumping the ball forward. What made this even worse was that every time we did get the ball down and pass it, we opened the Merthyr defence up at will. Fryatt and Leitao looked dangerous whenever they got possession, but that was all too rarely.

Instead, for long periods, there was little to choose between the teams, with Merthyr, if anything, playing the better football. Fortunately, they were fairly toothless, the centre of the defence was rock like and Gillmartin did everything expected of him (including one excellent second half save from a ricochet - never easy).

The details are quickly told. Fryatt was bought down early on (and for those doubting it, replays showed it a nailed on penalty) and duly tucked away the spot kick.
A few minutes later, Merthyr failed to clear the ball properly, Fryatt produced a sublime lay off to Kinsella, who struck the perfect dipping volley into the corner for his first goal for the club.

It was a superb strike from Kinsella, but he made up for it not long afterwards when Staunton gave away an unecessary free kick on the edge of the box with a clumsy challenge (not for the first or last time on the night) and Kinsella moved to one side to let the admittedly powerful shot through.

The second half was instantly forgettable, with Merthyr making virtually all of the running and Walsall just giving possession back to them by trying long balls down the channels. A better team would have made us pay.

Man of the Match? Honourable mentions for Gillmartin (did everything asked), Roper and Leitao. However, this was the Matty Fryatt show. Earned a penalty, scored it and got an assist for the second, he frightened the life out of their defence every time he ran at them.