Author: David Evans
The Banks's Stadium witnessed one of its most exciting cup games ever with the Johnstone's Paint Trophy's 2-2 draw against Port Vale. Because it ended a draw a penalty shootout was needed to decide the tie which Walsall lost 6-5 which needed all 22 players to participate in! Following on from their two previous league defeats it was a bitter pill for Saddlers fans to swallow. Port Vale are a very good League 2 team and on this sort of form will be promoted.They looked dangerous every time they moved forward.
Once Walsall had got over their early jitters it was end to end stuff with both teams looking to go for goal at every opportunity which was great to see. The game's opening goal came about when Flo Cuvelier was brought down just inside the box. He got up and cooly slotted away himself.The rest of that first half saw several good chances and saves by both goalkeepers.
Just after the interval Saddlers went 2-0 up with a well taken goal by Will Grigg who won the ball, cut in and fired in a low hard shot just inside the post. Barely two minutes later, however, the visitors got back into the game thanks to a deflected shot by Ryan Burge. On the hour mark Vale got their second with a well taken goal by Tom Pope. Both teams were going for it however the inevitable penalty shoot out arrived along with the inevitable Walsall outcome- a defeat. So it looks like Wembley will have to wait again for Walsall.
