TWO goals from Jon Macken and a lovely strike by Jordan Cook earned Walsall three huge points which puts them right back on the front foot in their survival battle.
Macken netted a screamer and a tap-in and Cook scored his first goal for the Saddlers to enable their side to get away with defensive lapses which gifted Brentford a couple of goals.
That sort of defending must be cut out if this survival fight is to be won. But all that really counts at this stage of the season is results.
And this was a terrific win to launch Walsall’s run of three successive home matches. Next up, runaway leaders Brighton on Saturday – it should be quite a game.
Manager Dean Smith’s dissatisfaction with the display at Plymouth last Saturday showed in four team changes.
In front of Jimmy Walker, playing his 500th senior game for the club, was a radically altered side as Marco Gbarssin, Manny Smith, Emmy Ledesma and Darryl Westlake were replaced by Macken, Cook, Clayton McDonald and Richard Taundry.
Walker received a standing ovation as he took his place in goal but the atmosphere did not lend itself to celebration early on.
The small crowd was understandably tense – everyone knew the Saddlers are approaching the last-chance saloon.
An early goal would have dissipated that tension and a half-chance arrived on five minutes but Macken’s hooked shot from six yards was blocked by Pim Balkestein.
Walsall were too often wasteful in possession to build up a head of steam though and the Bees started to find some fluency. Lewis Grabban’s 30-yarder was deflected inches over the bar but Walker was helpless – and deserted by his defence – when the visitors went in front.
It was the sort of simple, help-yourself goal that managers hate their teams to concede. Adam Reed hung a corner up to the far post and Balkestein headed home easy as you like.
If ever Walsall needed inspiration, it was now – and Macken delivered. Latching on to a loose ball 25 yards out, he let fly and sent a screamer into the top corner.
The Saddlers started the second half with fire back in their belly and Andy Butler’s header soon forced a fine save from Simon Moore. The supporters responded and were on their feet 11 minutes after the break when Cook scored a cracker.
Gray slid the ball to him and, back to goal, the Sunderland loanee turned and shot home low before his marker moved.
The lead lasted only five minutes as Richard Taundry’s misjudged back-pass allowed Grabban to nip in, round Walker and slot home – but it was immediately restored. Gray was again the provider. He crossed from the left, Macken, later to leave the pitch to standing ovation, bundled home and for the second successive home game, the Saddlers were comeback kings.
Walsall (4-4-2): Walker 7; Taundry 5, McDonald 7, Butler 6, Williams 6; Laird 6, Cook 7, Richards 6 (Gbarssin 74 6), Gray 7; Byfield 6 (Ledesma 81), MACKEN 8 (Grigg 87). Subs: Bevan, Lancashire, Westlake, Nicholls, Grigg.
Brentford (4-4-2): Moore; Neilson, Legge (Osborne 25), Balkestein, Woodman; Saunders, Reed (Byrne 81), Diagouraga, Bean; Schlupp (Simpson 59), Grabban. Subs: Royce, Spillane, O’Connor, Weston.
Referee: Carl Boyeson (Northamptonshire)
