Walsall 2-1 Stevenage

Walsall pulled off their first home win since the opening day of the season to beat Stevenage at the Banks's Stadium.

Ashley Hemmings set up Romaine Sawyers' side-footed opener on 11 minutes.

James Baxendale then released Craig Westcarr after the restart to make it 2-0, hammering a low left-footed shot for his seventh goal of the season.

Francois Zoko pulled one back on 72 minutes when keeper Richard O'Donnell dropped Luke Freeman's cross, but Boro then had Lucas Akins sent off late on.

The Stevenage striker received his marching orders in the 80th minute for punching Saddlers defender Paul Downing after the ball had gone, referee Andy Madley producing the red card after consulting with his fourth official.

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

Stevenage manager Graham Westley told BBC Three Counties Radio:

"Several of the lads were very unwell. When food poisoning hits your camp, it's difficult.

"Take nothing away from the opposition, they worked hard for the points. We were way short in the first half and I think it's understandable with the level of sickness we have had in the side.

On Akins' red card: "There was an arm to the body when he was trying to break free from a headlock.

"I think he [the fourth official] got the needle because I threw a ball on the pitch, and the next minute I'm having a player sent off and no one else had seen the incident."

Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text

Line-ups

Walsall

Formation 4-4-1-1

1O'Donnell
15Chambers
3TaylorBooked at 74mins
8Mantom
4Butler
12Downing
16BaxendaleSubstituted forGrayat 88'minutes
7Chambers
10Westcarr
25SawyersSubstituted forHewittat 84'minutes
11HemmingsSubstituted forLalkovicat 88'minutes

Substitutes

2Purkiss
6Featherstone
9Lalkovic
13Lewis
14Benning
24Hewitt
27Gray

Stevenage

Formation 4-4-2

16Day
22GrayBooked at 58minsSubstituted forDunneat 62'minutes
29HartleyBooked at 23minsSubstituted forAndradeat 46'minutes
20Smith
5Ashton
6Jones
7Morais
24DoughtySubstituted forTanseyat 45+1'minutes
12Zoko
11AkinsBooked at 80mins
15Freeman

Substitutes

1Arnold
2Wedgbury
8Dunne
10Burrow
13Parrett
17Tansey
25Andrade

Referee:: Andy Madley
Attendance:: 3,720

Match Stats

Home TeamWalsallAway TeamStevenage

Possession: Home53%; Away47%

Shots: Home18; Away6

Shots on Target: Home6; Away2

Corners: Home5; Away7

Fouls: Home7; Away14

Live Text

Post update
Match ends, Walsall 2, Stevenage 1.
90'+6'
Full Time
Second Half ends, Walsall 2, Stevenage 1.

90'+6'
Post update
Corner, Walsall. Conceded by Luke Jones.
90'+5'
Post update
Attempt blocked. Craig Westcarr (Walsall) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
90'+4'
Post update
Corner, Walsall. Conceded by Luke Jones.
90'+4'
Post update
Attempt saved. Julian Gray (Walsall) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
90'+2'
Post update
Corner, Walsall. Conceded by Jimmy Smith.
90'+1'
Post update
Craig Westcarr (Walsall) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
90'+1'
Post update
Foul by Greg Tansey (Stevenage).
90'
Post update
Adam Chambers (Walsall) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
90'
Post update
Foul by Greg Tansey (Stevenage).
89'
Post update
Foul by Adam Chambers (Walsall).
89'
Post update
Francois Zoko (Stevenage) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
88'
Substitution
Substitution, Walsall. Milan Lalkovic replaces Ashley Hemmings.
88'
Substitution
Substitution, Walsall. Julian Gray replaces James Baxendale.
85'
Post update
Attempt missed. Craig Westcarr (Walsall) header from the centre of the box misses to the left.
85'
Post update
Ashley Hemmings (Walsall) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
85'
Post update
Foul by Jimmy Smith (Stevenage).
84'
Substitution
Substitution, Walsall. Troy Hewitt replaces Romaine Sawyers.
82'
Post update
Foul by Sam Mantom (Walsall).

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