James Clarke effort enough as Walsall edge Scunthorpe

Posted Sunday, September 22, 2019 by PA

James Clarke’s brilliant bicycle kick proved enough to hand Walsall a first home win of the Sky Bet League Two season to leave struggling Scunthorpe still without a point on their travels.

Centre-back Clarke acrobatically volleyed home Danny Guthrie’s 65th-minute cross from six yards to claim a 1-0 win and hand Scunthorpe a fifth-successive away defeat in the league under Paul Hurst.

Scunthorpe controlled a drab, goalless first half but Walsall came closest to breaking the deadlock as Caolan Lavery curled the ball inches wide from the edge of the box after cutting in from the right.

The second half was better with Rory Gaffney heading a Guthrie free-kick wide for Walsall before Kevin Van Veen’s curler brought a save from Saddlers goalkeeper Liam Roberts at the other end.

Once Clarke volleyed the home side in front, Walsall saw out the game comfortably, their only scare coming after 75 minutes when Ryan Colclough drilled just wide.

The victory was Walsall’s third of the season – all coming via a 1-0 scoreline – as they kept a third clean sheet in four games, lifting them to 16th while Scunthorpe remain second-bottom.