Walsall 3-0 Oldham - Match Report

Pressley double sees the Saddlers beat Oldham 3-0 at Bescot

The opening stages were cagey, with both sides threatening early in the half.

Kane Drummond had the visitors' first real effort after Calum Kavanagh found the winger out wide, before he forced Jed Ward into a comfortable save. Walsall then tested Hudson with a tame effort from Pressley before taking the lead in the 21st minute.  A beautiful Jed Ward sidewinder found Tai Sodje, who bore down on goal before a neat finish into the bottom corner to make it 1-0.

Walsall doubled their advantage moments later as Pressley scored his sixth of the season in the 26th minute. Declan Skura charged down the right before finding Pressley in behind, who finished emphatically into the top corner, making it 2-0. Oldham responded by mounting pressure on Walsall after coming close on two separate occasions; Calum Kavanagh skied an effort in the area after Kane Drummond headed his effort just wide of the goal.

Both sides had efforts late into the half, but Walsall went into the break with a two-goal advantage.

HT Walsall FC 2-0 Oldham Athletic FC

Oldham started the second forty-five the brighter of the sides, with Drummond eager to get on the scoresheet but denied by Jed Ward.

Oldham’s promising start went downhill after Mike Fondop was deemed to have handled the ball inside the area, which resulted in a penalty.

Aaron Pressley then doubled his goal tally for the evening after he dispatched his penalty past Hudson to make it 3-0 in the 61st minute.

Against the run of play, the Saddlers were reduced to ten men after Elicha Ahui received a red card for bringing Mike Fondop down on the edge of the area.

Despite the red card, Walsall continued to threaten, looking more likely to score after newly introduced Andrew Dallas and Reece Smith provided fresh attacking impetus for Walsall, causing Oldham problems. Fortunately for Walsall, Oldham were unable to breach the Saddlers' backline, resulting in a comfortable 3-0 win for the Reds.

FT Walsall FC 3-0 Oldham Athletic FC - Lee Grant's Comments

Following Walsall’s win against Oldham, Lee Grant said: ‘I have trusted my whole group,’ after his side ran out 3-0 winners at the Bescot Stadium.

Lee Grant highlighted the importance of Jed Ward after he stated: ‘In terms of what he’s bringing at the moment, is a really high level. He made a big save at 0-0, a big save at 1-0, an incredible assist and his distribution was so well executed.’ Walsall will now turn their attention to Monday Night Football as Salford City travel to the Bescot for a top-of-the-table clash.