Thu Sep 20, 2007 12:40 pm
Walsall may have sported their striking new yellow and red third-choice kit on Saturday, but they were hardly lovin’ it in the warm Kent sunshine.
An opening-day draw with Carlisle United followed by four straight setbacks would probably endanger the famous smile of Ronald McDonald, so fellow forever-optimists could be forgiven for fearing a season of struggle.
Richard Money’s mid-week condemnation of premature negativity was acknowledged and accepted by most fans, though some perceived it as another unnecessary public rant.
Worryingly, his side’s defensive lapses and inability to convert chances has bitten them on the backside for the third week in succession.
There have been glimpses of light at the end of the tunnel, subtle signs which suggest that elusive victory will not evade them for much longer, but they will face stronger opposition over the coming months who are to provide sterner examinations of their League One credentials.
Fallen giants Leeds United, who commenced the campaign on minus 15 points as punishment for their much-publicised financial troubles, are now breathing down their necks at the foot of the table – May’s title ecstasy seems a distant and missed memory.
The Saddlers made a sluggish start to proceedings and it came as no surprise when Gillingham deservedly opened the scoring on the quarter-hour mark.
Irish forward Gary Mulligan, on his return from injury, redirected Delroy Facey’s deft flick-on beyond the reach of Clayton Ince to send the Priestfield faithful wild with delight.
But the visitors’ response was excellent; Daniel Fox taking down Martin Butler’s headed assist before smacking an unstoppable left-foot rocket across the face of Simon Royce and into top corner.
Ronnie Jepson’s Gills restored their advantage 14 minutes later thanks to another deadly Facey-Mulligan combination.
Much-travelled powerhouse Facey won his umpteenth aerial battle, this time overcoming the struggling Anthony Gerrard, which put through strike partner Mulligan to net his second of the match.
There could have been more goals before half-time: Mulligan clipping the crossbar with an acrobatic effort, Royce brilliantly tipping Troy Deeney’s shot onto the post and Butler nipping behind the hosts’ backline before firing wide from an acute angle.
Money’s men upped the tempo after the interval but predictably were left to rue another batch of wasted opportunities in front of goal.
Welsh full-back Rhys Weston and substitute Edrissa Sonko both came close to clearing the uncovered stand with textbook spoons, though a stinging Butler drive forced Royce into a flying full-stretch save.
Darren Wrack almost marked a fine midfield showing with an unlikely stoppage-time leveller; his volley flashing through a sea of blue and yellow shirts before rattling the frame of the goal.
“My feeling is that we did more than enough to have taken something out of the game,” bemoaned Money after the final whistle. “We have had more shots at goal in the last three games than we did in 10 matches last season, but the difference is we are being punished for any little costly error.”
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