Rochdale's winning start to the season was brought to an end as Walsall took all 3 points at Spotland stadium on Tuesday night. After dominating the first half, Walsall took the lead in the 65th minute through left back Andy Taylor before extending their lead just 5 minutes later through Sam Mantom's deflected strike. Calvin Andrew grabbed a consolation in the 80th minute as he headed in after Ian Henderson's effort hit the bar but Walsall held on to claim their third successive win away from home.
Dale came into the game on the back of an impressive win at Blackpool, but it was the away side which started the stronger, as they found a way through the Dale defence in the opening minute, only for Josh Lillis to prevent highly sought after striker, Tom Bradshaw, from claiming his 5th goal of the season. The Saddlers showed an impressive attacking intent and controlled the first half but were unable to claim the goal that their first half performance had merited. That being said, Dale did have chances to go in front, as Donal McDermott showed great skill and strength, before picking out Ian Henderson with a sublime ball over the top of the Walsall defence. Henderson, who opened his account for the season last weekend in the win at Blackpool, couldn't quite supply the finish that the ball had deserved. Rhys Bennett, who was making his first start of the season, also had a great chance to open the scoring, but the young midfielder blazed his effort over the bar from close range and would perhaps have been quite relieved to see that the offside flag was up.
As the second half began, Dale started to see more of the ball and the in form McDermott had a great chance to score after Walsall defender James O'Connor over-cooked his header back to the keeper Neil Etheridge, but the 25 year old showed a great turn of pace to beat McDermott to the ball and push it away for just a corner. Keith Hill perhaps sensed that the game was turning Rochdale's way and brought on Joe Bunney for Joe Rafferty in a tactical change that saw Rhys Bennett go to right back, as Rafferty had been booked and Walsall winger Milan Lalkovic had been causing Rafferty problems for the majority of the night. Bunney quickly grew into the game and had two efforts saved in the bottom corner by Etheridge and after Ian Henderson played him through, Bunney also seemed to have provided an assist for Peter Vincenti to open the scoring, but the winger was ruled out for offside. However, when Dale had seemingly taken control, Walsall scored an excellent goal on the counter attack. Left back Andy Taylor started off the move, before continuing his run into the box, where he met Lalkovic's cut back and volleyed past Josh Lillis, as Dale conceded for the first time in the league this season. McDermott had a great chance to equalise when Etheridge cleared his kick straight to the midfielder, but he again showed great speed to rush out and make an excellent stop. This proved vital as just a minute later, Walsall put the game beyond Dale. Substitute Romain Sawyers was played in on the left hand side, where he picked out Sam Mantom and his fierce strike took a wicked deflection off Dale defender Jim McNulty and beat Josh Lillis, who probably would have had the shot covered. The introduction of Calvin Andrew made a difference, as he showed great reactions to head in after Henderson's header had hit the crossbar. Keeper Etheridge seemed to have clawed the ball back but the linesman deemed that the ball had crossed the line. Dale pushed forward in search of a late equaliser, but failed to create any real chances and Walsall left with the three points that their overall play deserved.
Full Time: Rochdale 1-2 Walsall
Man of the Match: Andy Taylor
Dale came into the game on the back of an impressive win at Blackpool, but it was the away side which started the stronger, as they found a way through the Dale defence in the opening minute, only for Josh Lillis to prevent highly sought after striker, Tom Bradshaw, from claiming his 5th goal of the season. The Saddlers showed an impressive attacking intent and controlled the first half but were unable to claim the goal that their first half performance had merited. That being said, Dale did have chances to go in front, as Donal McDermott showed great skill and strength, before picking out Ian Henderson with a sublime ball over the top of the Walsall defence. Henderson, who opened his account for the season last weekend in the win at Blackpool, couldn't quite supply the finish that the ball had deserved. Rhys Bennett, who was making his first start of the season, also had a great chance to open the scoring, but the young midfielder blazed his effort over the bar from close range and would perhaps have been quite relieved to see that the offside flag was up.
As the second half began, Dale started to see more of the ball and the in form McDermott had a great chance to score after Walsall defender James O'Connor over-cooked his header back to the keeper Neil Etheridge, but the 25 year old showed a great turn of pace to beat McDermott to the ball and push it away for just a corner. Keith Hill perhaps sensed that the game was turning Rochdale's way and brought on Joe Bunney for Joe Rafferty in a tactical change that saw Rhys Bennett go to right back, as Rafferty had been booked and Walsall winger Milan Lalkovic had been causing Rafferty problems for the majority of the night. Bunney quickly grew into the game and had two efforts saved in the bottom corner by Etheridge and after Ian Henderson played him through, Bunney also seemed to have provided an assist for Peter Vincenti to open the scoring, but the winger was ruled out for offside. However, when Dale had seemingly taken control, Walsall scored an excellent goal on the counter attack. Left back Andy Taylor started off the move, before continuing his run into the box, where he met Lalkovic's cut back and volleyed past Josh Lillis, as Dale conceded for the first time in the league this season. McDermott had a great chance to equalise when Etheridge cleared his kick straight to the midfielder, but he again showed great speed to rush out and make an excellent stop. This proved vital as just a minute later, Walsall put the game beyond Dale. Substitute Romain Sawyers was played in on the left hand side, where he picked out Sam Mantom and his fierce strike took a wicked deflection off Dale defender Jim McNulty and beat Josh Lillis, who probably would have had the shot covered. The introduction of Calvin Andrew made a difference, as he showed great reactions to head in after Henderson's header had hit the crossbar. Keeper Etheridge seemed to have clawed the ball back but the linesman deemed that the ball had crossed the line. Dale pushed forward in search of a late equaliser, but failed to create any real chances and Walsall left with the three points that their overall play deserved.
Full Time: Rochdale 1-2 Walsall
Man of the Match: Andy Taylor