“Mr. Barry Hales”.
He’s probably still playing somewhere!
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Nah, he retired from playing in 2023 at 51 years old 
The referee for this one is a bit of an interesting appointment. Stephen Martin from Staffordshire, Tamworth to be precise, which is very close to home. He is the son of Andy Martin who used to referee at the top level back in the 1990s. Stephen Martin mainly referees Championship games and has been fourth official at a few Premier Leauge matches recently, seems to be a bit of fitness fanatic, certainly seems to look after himself physically. It is a little unusual to get a referee from such a close location, only usually used for pre season friendlies which he was the referee against Aston Villa last season I think. The only time he has previously refereed us in a Leauge game was away at Barrow in April 2025. The wheels had come off the season big style by then. We didnt turn up that day, an awful performance, lost 2-0 and a certain Aaron Pressley scored one of the goals and referee Mr Martin gave us bugger all. So this is the problem getting a local based referee they might not want to be seen as being too baised to the local team. He has refereed the recent West Bromwich Albion v Leicester Championship game which was a 1-1 draw and Coventry away at Milwall, Coventry lost that game. Hopefully he will be evenly balanced towards both sides on Saturday.
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They love to keep it in the family! Let’s hope he is better than the young Kettle.
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Bet he’s got a good whistle (one for the oldies and the campers!)
[quote=“WalsallOne, post:45, topic:13191”]
Let’s hope he is better than the young Kettle.
[/quote]
That shouldn’t be too difficult.
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Back then Brizzle seemed to have a conveyer belt of strikers who went on to make their mark in the game - as you say Mr Hayles, Marcus Stewart (another link between us and them), Jamie Cureton …
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Still makes the odd appearance:
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Think this will be a draw, 0-0.
I fancy us to win this one, we’re on a bit of a roll right now and we’re strong at home
2-0 to the super Saddlers
UTS
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I don’t think that there will be many goals. I envisage a tight game all over the pitch. Should be a hard contested game with us coming out on top 1-0.
When we last played the Baggies at the Hawthorns, the ref was a local teacher from Lichfield.
I recall that after the game he realised that he had made an on-field mistake and rescinded a booking that he had given to one of theirs. Apparently bookings can’t be rescinded and he got bollocking from the FA for doing so. It sounds to me a very reasonable thing for him to have done.
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Flinty will be well up for this one and will send out a battle cry rallying his troops on to victory.
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So are they. Didn’t realise they were in such good form themselves.
Someone’s run will be broken, looking forward to this game should be a good one.
Great preview 
- sadly won’t be at the Bescot for this one as out the country. Could be one of the games of the season. Two inform sides, and we get to face off against one of our former managers in Darrell Clarke.
I’ve gone for a draw but really I haven’t a clue on this one. I’ve a feeling Ellis will be motivated and likely score against us. I couldn’t understand the negative comments when he was with us last season. He’s a step up from Flash and Levi in my opinion and still a very solid league two striker.
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A titanic tussle in store between two of the divisions heavyweights, i think home advantage will make the difference in a 2-1 win for the Super Saddlers.
Should be yet another bumper audience, I am sure the Powell factor alone will add a few hundred to the gate.
Lets get the Pallet Track absolutely rocking.
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Should be 2200 Bristol fans on Saturday
So a gate of probably close to 8000
The undercroft will be rammed
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Don’t forget Devon White. He beat us on his own a few times
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Should be a great atmosphere…. Let’s get the Bezza rocking!
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