This match report courtesy of roving reporter and occasional video star Wednesbury Saddler METFAN.

The Saddlers kicked off the season with a more eventful journey than the actual match itself (those who drove will understand why!). Many Saddlers fan’s made the 300 mile round trip to see the mighty reds’ come up with an OK performance, and an OK point. Driving rain and high winds played their part in a real cliche of a game.

The first half started brightly for the Saddlers, with Sofiene Zaaboub’s early corner causing trouble in the Yeovil penalty area. However that was about the only positive from a lacklustre and slow first half. On 9 minutes, poor defending from debutant Stephen Roberts saw Paul Warne get into the penalty area. His shot was saved by Ince but dropped right into the path of Yeovil’s impressive striker Gavin Tomlin, who proved a real threat all game. Yeovil were playing the conditions better in the first half, with neat passing and movement causing problems for a very edgy Walsall defence. Gerrard and Roberts kept a high line, which caused panic on a number of occasions through poor positioning. Ricketts and Ibehre both had efforts towards the end of the half which didnt trouble the Yeovil Goalkeeper.

Jimmy Mullen had to earn his corn at half time, and so he did - to an extent. The Saddlers came out in the second half with a favourable wind that limited the opposition and helped the Saddlers launch waves of attacks, but ultimately with no real goalscoring chances. There was a lot of possession and crosses without any real penetration. However, the only one bit of real football we played all game came with about 2 minutes on the clock of the second half, where Michael Ricketts was put through on goal only to see his rather indecisive effort saved by Begovic.

The rest of the half saw Clayton Ince go on holiday, play a game of Chess, write a novel and play cards before he had to do anything of any real note as Walsall played the conditions much better. The equaliser came on 76 minutes, when a wayward backpass after good pressure by Alex Nicholls, went straight into the path of Jabo Ibehre who finished well. It was about as much as the travelling faithful deserved after the rubbish first half, rubbish journey that took 4 hours and rubbish no-pie situation. There were two changes late on with Boertien coming on in Midfield for Hughes, and Reich coming on for Nicholls. There were a few attacks towards the end but again the final killer ball eluded us.

All in all, a good point under the circumstances. It wasn’t the best weather to play in but its the same for both teams. Yeovil commanded the first half and we dominated the second, but for all our pressure we rarely threatened the goal. This is the first game after all, but a massive improvement will be needed for the Scunthorpe game. Hopefully the missing Dwanye Mattis will have recovered, Hughes will be a bit fitter, and we may have another striking option on the bench.

Individually, the lads all had average games, with no one really impressing greatly other than the full backs, Hughes and Zaaboub in the second half and Jabo towards the end of the game. The lack creativity was a problem, so maybe Marco Reich coming in for the quiet Alex Nicholls may be the next step forward. I am still pretty positive with the new signings, but another striker needs to brought in ASAP, as we had no option on the bench. Well done Lads, bring on Darlo!