Mat Sadler says Walsall win fully deserved after ‘very good performance’

Posted Sunday, October 20, 2024 by PA

Walsall manager Mat Sadler felt his players got everything they deserved after beating Grimsby 4-1 at Blundell Park.

After a goalless first half, the Saddlers clicked into gear upon the restart with goals from Jamille Matt, Jamie Jellis, Nathan Lowe and Danny Johnson.

Grimsby substitute Donovan Wilson grabbed a consolation for the hosts, but Walsall made it four wins from six to move up to third place in League Two.

Sadler, whose side saw a Lowe goal ruled out on the stroke of half-time for a shove in the Grimsby area, said: “It was a very good performance from us.

“In the first 20 or 25 minutes, we were feeling them out a little bit and we still had some really good chances in that spell, but there were a few bits of play from them where we weren’t quite as sharp as we would have wanted to have been.

“At that stage, we felt we needed to be more on the front foot and that half-a-yard quicker with every pass.

“We wanted to tidy things up and we did that towards the end of the first half.

“After that moment [Lowe’s disallowed goal], I thought they started to be more fearful of the weapons we have in our side.

“I’m delighted we scored in the way we did and, after that, I thought we started to dominate the game, and the win was no less than we deserved.”

After a first half where chances were few, Walsall took the lead in the 56th minute when Matt rose highest to net from close range a stunning second from Jellis – with a dipping half-volley – doubled that advantage.

Lowe effectively put the game to bed with Walsall’s third goal in the 74th minute, but there was time for substitutes Wilson and Johnson to make a mark at either end.

Grimsby head coach David Artell said: “I thought we were much the better team in the first half, but we didn’t take advantage of that.

“Walsall worked us out as the game went on and we didn’t have the answers.

“They showed their quality and we didn’t defend properly.

“We should have been in front at half-time as we had a lot of the ball and we had a lot of chances that we didn’t take.

“If you look at all the metrics, or whatever you want, you could see that.

“That doesn’t take away from the fact we became easy to play against in possession and, at times out of possession, which is disappointing after the run we’ve been on.”