OSBOURNE INSPIRES SADDLERS VICTORY
FIRST-HALF goals from Morgan Ferrier and Isaiah Osbourne continued Walsall’s unbeaten start as they claimed victory against previously-undefeated Gillingham.
Both sides went close early – a powerful Tom Eaves header flew just wide for Gillingham, while Walsall full-back Luke Leahy’s 20-yard effort was saved by Tomas Holy.
Walsall led on 12 minutes as George Dobson fed Ferrier to cut inside to fire a superb strike into the top corner from just inside the box.
Josh Parker shot narrowly wide for Gillingham from 20 yards, while Ferrier nearly produced a replica of his opener but fired straight at Holy.
Gills’ Brandon Hanlan forced a smart save from Liam Roberts but Walsall doubled their lead on 42 minutes as Osbourne swept into the bottom corner from 20 yards.
Walsall nearly had a third in the 51st minute but Andy Cook was foiled by Holy’s strong right hand. Gillingham came on strong late in the game and after Callum Reilly’s header was cleared off the line by Dobson, they pulled one back at the death when Tom Eaves headed home Barry Fuller’s deep cross.
Dean Keates – who narrowly steered Walsall to League One survival last term after taking over in March is refusing to get carried away with the Saddlers’ unbeaten start to the season, but said: “I thought we deserved it.
“If we take another chance, I think it makes life a little bit easier but they are a good team and you can see how they have won both games before this.
“We have good young players here who want to learn and they are a pleasure to work with.
“It was massive that we didn’t have a hangover from last year. It’s a revitalised team but it’s early days, we will keep going, keep learning and keep developing. “There is a good feel around the place but we are going to pick up a defeat at some point and it’s how we react from that. That will be a learning curve.”
Gillingham boss Steve Lovell rued his side’s slow start but felt their second-half efforts merited a point.
Lovell said: “The performance was okay actually. But I don’t think we started well. The first ten minutes we didn’t start like we normally do and then it is hard to get into the game.
“It was a great goal for them but we had good possession in midfield and it got cut out and they went through and scored an excellent goal.
“I’m disappointed with the way we conceded that but I was pleased with the way the boys responded and in the second half I thought we were unlucky not to get something out of the game.
WALSALL: L Roberts 7, Devlin 6, Fitzwater 6, Guthrie 7, Leahy 6, Morris 6, Osbourne 8, Dobson 7, Ginnelly 7, Ferrier 6 (Gordon 90+1, 5), Cook 7 Subs not used: Dunn, Kinsella, Kouhyar, Sangha, Candlin, Wilson,
GILLINGHAM: Holy 7, O’Neill 6, Ehmer 6, Zakuani 6, Garmston 7, Bingham 7, Charles-Cook 6, Byrne 6, Parker 7, Hanlan 7, Eaves 7 Subs not used: Lacey, Wilkinson, Fuller, Reilly, Nasseri, Stevenson, Hadler