Static Latics ground down

Photo: Alan Howarth

IN FRONT . . . Ryan McLaughlin's cross evades everyone and goes straight in to the net

2 More Image(s) In Gallery

ATHLETIC flapped, flagged and ultimately collapsed under the weight of second-half pressure from a Walsall side whose movement and vitality shamed the under-par visitors.

Erhun Oztumer, the 5ft 3in maestro whose talents are well recognised throughout the division, sprung from nowhere to run riot in the latter section of a second 45 minutes that was capped by a sharp-minded goal from the former Turkish Super Lig and Peterborough schemer.

Moving with menace towards the far post in the final minute as a long throw-in caused havoc in the penalty area - as did many a cross, most of which were placed under the nose of under-pressure goalkeeper Ben Wilson - Athletic's massed defenders panicked and left the far post free.

Former Athletic centre-back James Wilson got the first header on Luke Guthrie's long throw, the next looped the ball high into the air and then, on-loan West Brom centre-back Shaun Donnellan jumped highest to flick into Oztumer's path. Unmarked, he had the simple task of poking home from six yards out.

RATTLED

Oztumer had earlier rattled the upright and while Ben Wilson looked far from comfortable dealing with crosses, such as the corner kick that created the equaliser for Joe Edwards after 53 minutes, he also made an excellent reaction stop with an outstretched left hand from Luke Leahy as he attacked the ball at the far post at point-black range.

Josh Morris also went close to converting a cross in the second half, as did Oztumer. Amadou Bakayoko, who already has two goals against Athletic to his name, could not believe he didn't slot away after Oztumer had struck the inside of an upright.

Athletic nearly got away with a point, thanks to Ryan McLaughlin's unintended strike, but Walsall were well worthy of their first win of the season.

John Sheridan went with a 4-3-3 formation for the first away date of the season, opting for three personnel changes.

Out of the team went Paul Green, whose slight Achilles problem recurred, Brian Wilson and Courtney Duffus.

In for his first senior start was 18-year-old Mason Fawns, who played on the left side of the midfield three. Ollie Banks was stationed to the right and in front of defensive screen Ousmane Fane, while Craig Davies was recalled and stationed wide on the right of the attacking trio.

There were some initial teething troubles within Athletic's latest team shape. James Wilson was getting some joy in aerial battles with Amadi-Holloway, before catching a stray arm to his face, and Ben Wilson had to get down low to save from Edwards after Cameron Dummigan had been left one-on-one with the speedy Bakayoko seconds after Athletic had a free-kick in a promising position at the other end.

Anthony Gerrard was impressive at the back in repelling raids, though, and once Dummigan had confidently stepped out of defence to set up one attack the visitors grew in stature.

CONSTANT

McLaughlin was a constant danger on the left with his direct running and Athletic's man of the season to date made it count in the 32nd minute.

Rob Hunt had earlier cleared a corner off the line and as McLaughlin teased his marker, he swung in a cross from the left with his right foot that passed beyond both Davies and Amadi-Holloway, making near-post runs, without a touch. Home goalkeeper Mark Gillespie expected a deflection that didn't arrive and was left embarrassed - not that anyone in Athletic colours cared one bit.

Shortly before the interval, in a half in which Sheridan's vocal instructions became less pronounced as the clock ticked on, Amadi-Holloway forced Gillespie into another low stop after a counter-attack against threatened to unpick the Saddlers' back line. Banks had earlier driven powerfully and not far wide from 25 yards out and though Athletic were hardly setting the stadium alight, they were competent and looked to have the game under control.

Then came the second half.

Walsall charged out of the blocks and had their equaliser eight minutes in. An Oztumer corner from the right was swung in underneath the crossbar, Donnellan comprehensively beating Ben Wilson to the jump and as the ball fell towards the edge of the area, Edwards was teed up to fire low between bodies from 15 yards out.

That corner had originally come about due to Dummigan losing possession cheaply on halfway when attempting the unlikely feat of taking on two players, a telling example of Athletic's lack of mental clarity.

Oztumer connected with a post and despite making substitutions, it was mainly one-way traffic.

The energetic McLaughlin did force a neat save from Gillespie with a well-struck shot from 25 yards out after 79 minutes and substitute Tope Obadeyi saw his header in the sixth minute of added time from a well-directed Banks free-kick tipped over.

Had he headed down, he may well have scored. Success is all hypothetical for Athletic at present and Sheridan, who at least has new signing Dan Gardner available to stiffen midfield this weekend, has been left with plenty to ponder.