Match Preview: v Cheltenham Town (A)
01/03/2025 03:30 AM
Join us across our social media channels where we'll bring you all the matchday build-up, in-game updates, and post-match reaction as the Saddlers make their way to the EV Charger Points Stadium.
PRE-MATCH VIEWS
Walsall's fine form continued midweek as they opened 2025 with a bounce-back win over Notts County at Meadow Lane - Mat Sadler's men making it seven wins in as many games.
Falling behind for the first time in almost three months, the Saddlers mounted a second-half comeback via goals from Jamille Matt and Nathan Lowe, the 1,984 travelling fans richly rewarded for their time.
The team continues to play as one, with the entire squad capable of coming into the team and reaching the level of their teammates. One such example provided to us in midweek was defender Evan Weir, who not only pulled off a superb goal-line back heel, but provided assists for both goals.
Taking the place of Taylor Allen, Evan gave the gaffer a welcome headache heading into this weekend's meeting with the Robins.
Looking at opponents Cheltenham Town, they were also in action on New Year's Day as they travelled to Burslem and played out a goalless draw with Port Vale, the Valiants slipping to fourteen points behind the Saddlers as their slump in form continues.
WALSALL TEAM NEWS
Jack Earing suffered an ankle injury during the win over Newport County. Josh Gordon (hamstring) is back in training and will spend the coming weeks building up fitness ahead of a return to action.
George Hall is out with a hamstring injury and is expected to miss several weeks of action as he undergoes treatment with parent club Birmingham City.
FORM IN FIVE
Here is how the Saddlers and their opponents Cheltenham Town have fared in their last five Sky Bet League Two games.
CHELTENHAM | WALSALL |
WDWLD | WWWWW |
HEAD-TO-HEAD
There have been just twelve competitive meetings between Walsall and Cheltenham Town, and it's the Robins that hold an overall advantage, having won five times compared to the Saddlers' four.
The first meeting was an LDV Vans Trophy - Second Round match that took place at Whaddon Road on Tuesday, 2nd November 2004 and saw Walsall advance on penalties following a two-all draw in normal time.
Steve Guinan opened the scores for Cheltenham before Jorge Leitão levelled in the second half. Town re-took the lead via John Brough in extra time, only for Jorge to level once again.
Darren Wrack scored Walsall's fifth penalty after Damien Spencer had seen Cheltenham's saved by Saddlers stopper Joe Murphy.
THE LAST TIME WE MET
The most recent meeting was a League Two clash that took place at the Poundland Bescot Stadium on Saturday, 31st August 2024, and saw the Saddlers win by two-goals-to-one.
The first goal of the game didn't arrive until the early stages of the second-half when Nathan Lowe, who had replaced the injured Josh Gordon in the first-half, arrived at the back post where he poked the ball home from close range.
Walsall also scored the second goal of the game as Jamille Matt got on the end of a superb Connor Barrett cross to apply the finish past former Saddlers stopper Owen Evans.
The Saddlers were badly unable to protect their clean sheet for the entire game, as former Walsall loanee George Miller grabbed a goal with five minutes of normal time remaining.
MATCH OFFICIALS
The EFL has confirmed that Edward Duckworth will take charge of the match with Michael Webb and Alistair Nelson being named as assistant referees, whilst Ross Martin has been selected as Fourth Official.
GAMES OFFICIATED |
16 |
YELLOW CARDS | RED CARDS |
74 | 3 |
PENALTIES AWARDED |
3 |
