Walsall produced their best performance of the season against Hartlepool United at the Banks's Stadium last Saturday winning by three goals to one and playing some good football. The home fans have not been served up the best football in the world this season but on this occassion there was plenty to cheer.
Saddlers took the lead on just seven minutes. Alex Nicholls threaded a perfect ball for Steve Jones to race onto and cut in to square the ball for Julian Gray to force the ball home, somehow, following a block by a defender. The visitors levelled on 27 minutes through Roy O' Donovan who beat the offside trap, ran through and rounded keeper Rene Gilmartin.
Troy Deeney noticed his 14th goal of the season with a shot inside the box but the best goal of the afternoon was Walsall's third as following a series of crisp passes between Gray,Deeney and Nicholls, Richard Taundry slotted home to the delight of the home fans. There was time for Matt Richards to hit a shot at the bar. It was a comfortable victory and there's a chance Walsall could finish 10th in the table if they win their last two games.
