W 2-1 vs Stevenage (A) – Tue 2nd December, 7pm (EFL Trophy R2)

Match Centre Archive Match Centre 25/26
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The Saddlers travel to the Lamex Stadium to play Stevenage in the 2nd round of the EFL Trophy….

Stevenage badge
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The Opposition

Stevenage had a mediocre last season and ultimately finished 14th in League One.
Although this is now their 3rd successive season in that division after being promoted from League Two in the 22/23 season.

The Proposition

The Saddlers remain top of League Two after a 3-1 win against Bromley. A dire first half with Bromley going 1-0 up was rectified in the 2nd half with 3 goals from the home team, Dan Kanu and Ryan Finnegan adding to their goal tallies and Courtney Clarke scoring his first Walsall goal.

Stevenage find themselves 2nd in League One but that belies their recent form where they have only won once in the last 6 games. That was against bottom half Peterborough. Their last game was a 0-0 draw against Wigan.
They have already been knocked out of the FA Cup by Chesterfield so a chance for Walsall to do the same in the EFL Trophy.

The First Time

The first meeting between the sides was a 0-0 draw away at Stevenage, in League One on 26th November 2011.

The Worst Time

On 3 occasions we have lost 3-1, all away at Stevenage, on 18th September 2012 in League One and the last 2 visits in League Two on 8th January 2022 and 11th March 2023.

The Last Time

The last meeting was 3 seasons ago in League Two when we lost 3-1 away and Stevenage would go on to finish 2nd and gain automatic promotion to League One.

Played for both

Scott Houghton
Scott Houghton560×367 43.1 KB

Scott Houghton is a former midfielder and current Police Officer. Houghton began his career with Tottenham Hotspur before going on to play for a succession of lower league clubs including Ipswich Town, Charlton Athletic, Cambridge United, Gillingham, Luton Town, Walsall, Peterborough United, Southend United, Leyton Orient, Halifax Town and Stevenage Borough.

After retiring from the game, Houghton decided to join the police force. In his first posting as a police officer, he was appointed the on-site police officer for The Voyager School.

Houghton has also had television exposure, as he also appears in the Sky TV Police series Cop Squad that follows the going’s on at Cambridgeshire Constabulary.

Walsall

Houghton played 78 times for Walsall, scoring 14 goals between 1994-1996.

Stevenage Borough

He end his career in 2002 with Stevenage, playing 12 times and scoring 1 goal.

Also:

Aaron Pressley, Jamille Matt, Charlie Lakin, Elijah Adebayo, Taiwo Atieno, Shaun Donnellan, Simeon Jackson, Scott Laird, Dave Martin, Kevin Toner, …

Comment if you know any more!!!

Lump On

They have currently only won 1 of their last 6 games, and that was a 1-0 against lowly Peterborough in the League. During this run they were also knocked out of the FA Cup by League Two Chesterfield.

Lump Off

Our record against them isn’t great (W3/D6/L4), we’ve never beaten them away, and the last 2 aways were 3-1 losses. :confused:

Goal Tally (sponsored by Owly McOwlface)

Daniel Kanu - 8

Aaron Pressley - 4

Evan Weir – 4

Ryan Finnigan - 4

Connor Barrett - 3

Albert Adomah - 3

Harrison Burke - 1

Charlie Lakin - 1

Jid Okeke - 1

Aden Flint - 1

Jamille Matt - 1

Rico Browne - 1

Priestley Farquharson - 1

Courtney Clarke - 1

shocked-owl

UTS Match Poll

  • Walsall Win
  • Draw
  • Stevenage Win
0 voters
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Cannot see us winning this. The team will be much changed and the substitutes will be youth teamers. Good experience for them but not enough for us to win. 0- 2.

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Going to this, and even persuaded my brother along. I think we’ll put out a stronger side than the last 1st round game. Probably the same starters but hoping that the bench will have more normal 1st choicers to come on a nick it, preferably in normal time but probably on pens.

4

DJ played 4 games for them on loan from Cardiff, but no goals.

BTW He also played for our next opponents Gateshead - did a bit better for them (44 in 110 games).

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That’s not how MS has approached it for the last couple of seasons. Not expecting any of the starters from Saturday to even be in the squad unless we are totally short handed in a position (and even then I would think the youngsters, including those out on loan, will be chosen over them if possible).

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Just hoping for a result, usually lose when I bring the brother. :laughing:
Any parking or pub tips for this one?

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Big (free) car park right opposite. Unpaved though (sandy/gritty rather than muddy).

Never actually been to a pub when I’ve previously visited the Lame-X so can’t help there.

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Depends on the weather. Was rather muddy after it pissed it down a few seasons back.

We just went in their club alongside the stadium as they let away fans in and it was ok in there.

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We went in a Wetherspoons that was about a 20 minute walk from the ground. I can’t give any more info than that, as I had been on a big sesh with @belgian_saddler and my memories are limited.

4 Likes
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Logic would say an almost certain home win. I don’t know why but I have this feeling a huge upset could be on the cards and we could go to the Lamex and turn them over. We’ll have to be very good and Stevenage be a little off it and/or have Katy luck on our side but I’m going for a famous 2-1 upset to the Super Saddlers.

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I cant see Jamma playing so without a target man I wonder if he will try the box formation again with the front 3 of Richards, Roofe and Hollman

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Looking forward to this - first live game since Newport for me.
Last game at Stevenage was when it all went wrong for Matt Taylor - starting with Mayo’s own goal.
I’ve got no idea what to expect this time. There’s an argument for going unchanged as its a harder game than Gateshead. FA cup far far more important though so I expect some rotation. I just hope MS doesn’t got for wholesale changes though as 'I’d like us to get through and think we have a chance given Stevenge recent form. UTS.

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As I said earlier, unless Sadler has a major change of direction on how he treats games in this competition then it will be our second XI of yesterday’s non-starters, fringe squad players, and a few kids to fill the 18 places. Good chance of seeing Hornby, Roofe, RAM, Hollman (if fit), Richards (if can be arsed), Cox, etc.

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Top preview Steve

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Think you’ll be right Andy.
Got a chance though as it’ll be their squad players / reserves against ours.
Expecting us to lose, something like 2-1

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Can’t believe that, Belg is T total, anyway you wouldn’t have any knowledge about the night lol

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Hornby

Browne
Farquarhson (Straw)
Cox

Barrett
Jellis
Comley
Hollman
Harper

Roofe
Adomah

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If that’s the team it should beat a second string Stevenage outfit - no problem..

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That’s a stronger starting line up than I’d expect tbh. I think that Priestly will definitely be rested.

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Yes, I was wondering about that. On the one hand, he has become first choice and should be rested, but, on the other, putting Straw in is a big risk.

If Jellis and Holman are fit, they will play some part but surely Richards will be involved too.