Oztumer turns the tide with hat-trick

WALSALL manager Jon Whitney was keen for his whole side to share the glory after Erhun Oztumer’s second-half hat-trick secured a comfortable win at Southend.

Oztumer bagged three goals in quick succession to condemn Chris Powell to his first defeat as Shrimpers boss.

But Whitney was quick to praise all of his players after they secured their first away win since November.

“Erhun will get all the accolades but it was a team performance,” said Whitney.

“We stifled them, especially in the second half, and our performance was excellent.

“Every man stuck to the plan of action and we had too much for them with Erhun taking his goals well.

“The first was from open play, then he got a set-piece, and then the third one I really liked because we had worked on him arriving in the box more.

“He does a lot of stuff outside the box but I’ve told him if he gets in the six-yard box more he will add to his tally and get 20 plus.

“We won’t get carried away but it’s nice to get three points here. Southend have been on a good run and not many teams will win here, so to do it so emphatically is very pleasing.”

Southend’s groundstaff and fans battled to ensure the game went ahead, with supporters clearing snow off the pitch on the morning of the match.

And they should have been celebrating at the start of the second half but Shayon Harrison could only volley over from close range.

The Saddlers made the most of the let off and opened the scoring in the 57th minute when Oztumer’s 20-yard shot somehow squirmed past Southend goalkeeper Mark Oxley.

Oztumer then curled home a fine free-kick in the 66th minute before completing his hat-trick five minutes from time as he fired home Luke Leahy’s left-wing cross with another assured finish from 12 yards.

And that left Shrimpers manager Powell cutting a frustrated figure after his first defeat since takling over in January.

“I am hugely disappointed with our performance but I’ve also learnt a lot about my team,” said Powell.

“The supporters may have seen similar performances this year but I hadn’t seen it and now I have.

“I’m really disappointed for all the fans who helped get the game on.

“This is not befitting of my team and not what I want to see week in, week out.”