Walsall finally won their first game under Dean Smith and it came in some style as the Super Saddlers humiliated Bristol Rovers 6-1 at the Banks's Stadium which later had the happy supporters searching in the record books for the last time Walsall scored six in a league game. It had never happened in the twenty years since the move down Bescot Crescent in fact you have to go back to 1986 when Saddlers enjoyed a 6-0 win against...Bristol Rovers at Fellows Park!
On to Saturday's game and Walsall included new loan signing Jason Price who held the ball up well and brought others into the play. Andy Butler got the ball rolling on 17 minutes after Matt Richards had loated over a fine ball and the skipper headed home. The second goal saw the hard-working Jon Macken back-heel the ball in to the path of Matt Gill and he powered home. Walsall were playing som nice football and seconds before half time Julian Gray vollyed home a terrific shot to make the home fans purr.
Just after the re-start Rovers pulled one back through Hughes to stun the fans a little. However moments later Matt Richards burst down the middle to restore Saddlers three goal advantage to make it 4-1. There were further goals from Alex Nicholls and a second from man of the match Andy Butler to send the happy Saddlers fans into Dreamland.
A standing ovation at the final whistle and a glance at the league table showed Walsall had climbed a place in the table. Two away games at Notts County and Carlisle to hopefully cllimb further.
