Match Report <div class="borderBottom"><div class="sponsorStripTop" style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(/javaImages/b0/e1/0,,~2941360,00.gif); WIDTH: 100%; BACKGROUND-REPEAT: repeat-x; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #adb3bc; TEXT-ALIGN: center"></div> <div class="article"><div class="articleText"><p align="center"></p> THE SADDLERS have chalked up an excellent 2-1 victory over Notts County in what was a pulsating game at Bescot Stadium.</p> There was a busy opening to this West v East Midlands clash with both sets of supporters in good voice.</p> A handball by McCann on 12 minutes from Tommy Wright's flicked header gave Dean Keates a free-kick that he delivered high into the area but the 'keeper gathered.</p> New-boy Wright was booked shortly afterwards as he closed down Kevin Pilkington as he cleared a back-pass.</p> On 16 minutes Clayton Ince made a superb save from close range as Mike Edwards found space from a corner to get in a shot that the big 'keeper instinctively pushed around the post.</p> Scott Dann did well to block from Junior Mendes as he made a positive run into the area. The resulting corner saw a real let-off for The Saddlers as Edwards' low drive deflected off Andy Parkinson right in front of goal but the ball crept inches wide.</p> There was a flashpoint at the other end when Tommy Wright tangled with Pilkington as he chased a through-ball. With the offisde flag already up, tempers became frayed but the referee soon restored order.</p> Wright had the perfect response to the boos from the visiting fans as he sweetly fired home after he had initially been crowded out as he looked to get a strike in.</p> The game had a definite edge with fans and players of both sides fired up. There was a good chance for Martin Butler just past the half-hour mark when some good battling by the lively Tommy Wright saw him pull the ball back into his path, but he fired over.</p> With confidence in our play, Tommy Wright tried his luck from distance by Pilkington was able to make the save, then there was another fine reaction save from Ince at the other end as he managed to keep out a diving header from his own player when Mendes' inviting ball came off Dann.</p> After a Keates corner was headed just over by Dann, Tommy Wright caused more problems for the visitors' back-line before the loose ball came out to Mark Kinsella who low drive from outside the area took a wicked deflection that wrong-footed the 'keeper but came bacl to him off the post.</p> The Saddlers doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time when Keates delivered a tantilising free-kick into the danger zone and with Ian Roper applying the pressure, the ball found its way into the back of the net to complete an entertaining half.</p><p align="center"></p> A positive start to the second period saw Butler apply the pressure in the first raid as his low cross into the danger zone evaded everyone.</p> At the other end, McCann had a free-kick in a dangerous position which he managed to fire low through the defensive wall, but Ince was on hand to keep the ball out.</p> Mark Wright was replaced by Tony Bedeau before Ince denied Jason Lee who strike lacked the necessary power to trouble him too much.</p> The Saddlers finally conceded a home League goal in the 72nd minute when Ince looked to have kept out Ian Ross' free-kick from a dangerous position, however the ball managed to squirm away from him and into the net.</p> It made for a pulsating final quarter-of-an-hour as Keates' free-kick found the head of Butler who failed to get enough power on his effort as Pilkington saved.</p> Bedeau's through-ball broke the offisde trap on 78 minutes to set Butler racing away out wide and he managed to cut inside to make room for a shot that the 'keeper saved.</p> With ten minutes left on the clock, Butler was booked for a foul on Jay Smith as the visitors pressed for an equaliser.</p> Some good battling play out wide by Keates saw him get in a cross which was met by the head of Bedeau at the far post but he was denied as County got men back.</p> Tommy Wright was given a standing ovation on his home debut as he was replaced by Hector Sam for the final five minutes as The Saddlers held on to record a fine victory against a side that went into the game having lost just once in nine League matches on the road.</p></div></div></div>
