Walsall fans might have ben excused for wondering if the away win at Rochdale was a precursor of better things to come, or a false dawn. The good news is, it’s definately the former.

This was another immense performance last night which left everyone full of optimism. Saturday was a good start, against a poor team, but this was as commanding a performance against a much better side, capable of playing some neat football, if a little punchless.

Dickie Dosh brought back Ian Roper for Picken, who was left out of the 16 completely, presumably because he was so tired after Saturday’s efforts, but otherwise, the starting line up was the same.

The Saddlers started well, dominating the first fifteen minutes with some scintillating attacking play. Fox and Butler were unlucky not to get on the end of openings created by Wright and Sam, before Butler was put through and then clearly charged in the back for a stone wall penalty (and a red card). The ref, in his first ever League game, bottled it.

Eventually, Sam and Butler worked their magic, as the T&T man put Butler in to slip the ball under the ‘keeper for a deserved lead.

Stockport then forced a succession of corners, all of which were well enough defended.

Despite some pressure from the away team, however, Walsall were creating the best chances and Butler (twice), Sam and Kinsella could all have added to the lead before a brilliantly worked free kick routine from Fox and Kinsella led to us hitting the bar just before half time.

The game as a contest was finished two minutes after the restart, when Roper, completely unmarked from a corner, powered in a tremendous header.

In the second half, Ince had to make one good save low down and Stockport had one cleared off the line, but, despite their possession, Walsall again had the best chances. Taylor should have scored, Butler could have (twice), Sam had a chance and sub Constable set a another sub, Keates, up and his dipping volley smacked against the bar again.

The only worry was right at the end when Dobson went down on the edge of their box and had to be stretchered off. He apparantly suffered an extremely deep gash to his forehead and was carried off to hospital by ambulance.

Ince did what he had to, with some good catches and punches and one good save.
The back four was solid, especially Taylor and the outstanding Roper, with an exemplary display of centre half play. The only weakness on the night was a strange problem with far post corners, which left an attacker clear twice in the second half.
The midfield defended and attacked as a unit and Michael Dobson was head and shoulders the best player on the pitch.
Butler and Sam were a constant handful and looked dangerous all of the time until Sam began to tire (hardly surprisng after some superb off he ball running) and Constable looked fitter and faster when he came on, not to mention more aware of his positioning and runs.

All in all, very, very satisfying and a clear man of the match in Dobson.