Erhun Oztumer netted a second half hat-trick as Walsall took all three points at Roots Hall against a poor Southend United on a cold March afternoon on the Essex Coast.
It was a miracle that this game even took place after freezing and snowy conditions had blanketed the Essex coast in the week leading up to the game, but with hundreds of volunteers coming down to help clear the pitch and covers of snow, the game was declared on and they hoped their side could continue their decent form under Chris Powell.
The Blues came into this one unbeaten in five under new boss Powell, who had replaced Phil Brown, and with wins over Scunthorpe, Peterborough, Wigan and Portsmouth, things were looking up for the home side.
Walsall came onto this one off the back of two successive losses against Blackburn and Peterborough so knew a win was needed to get their season going in the right direction once again, although with the news midfielder Joe Edwards would be ruled out for the remainder of the season after damaging knee ligaments against Blackburn was a blow.
So advantage Southend then you’d say? Well the first chance of the game fell the hosts way when Cox had an attempt on target which Liam Roberts got down to save, and on thirteen minutes the Blues went close again through Ladapo, who headed over a Harrison cross from close range, and then two minutes later Cox flicked a header at goal but it went into the hands of Roberts.
Despite this though it had been a rather scrappy opening half hour but on the half hour mark Blues had another opening when Yearwood blocked a clearance and almost poked beyond Roberts, but the Saddlers keeper managed to save the effort, and with eight minutes of the half left Walsall saw a NGoy effort blocked by Turner.
The visitors ended the half strongly and so nearly took the lead five minutes before half time when Morris curled an effort from the edge of the box inches wide of the far post, it was certainly the best chance of the half, however it meant the half would end goalless, a relatively quiet half where both sides knew they needed to step it up.
Half Time Southend United 0 Walsall 0
The Blues so nearly took the lead four minutes into the second half when a superb cross from Demetriou to the back post found Harrison, who sadly for the Blues could only fire over, and then a couple of minutes later it was Walsall’s turn to go close when Kouhyar’s drive from range trickled just wide of the post.
Nine minutes into the half a good move involving Harrison saw an eventual effort from Yearwood go straight at Roberts, as the fast start to the second half continued to threaten the breakthrough.
Now Walsall’s attacking midfielder, Oztumer, had been Walsall’s main threat up till now, and it was no surprise when he was the one to break the deadlock in the 57th minute when he cut inside onto his left foot, strike an effort at goal, and saw it hit a bobble and wrong foot keeper Oxley and find the net to give the Saddlers the advantage.
The Blues tried to respond and on the hour mark saw a free kick cleared before Cox and McLaughlin got in each others way from another cross and it drifted harmlessly out for a goal kick, much the the frustration of the majority of the 6,413 crowd inside Roots Hall.
It was a different story for the 119 Walsall fans who had made the journey as in the 65th minute they won a free kick in a decent position, and saw the magnificent Oztumer step up and curl a beauty of a free kick over the wall and into the bottom corner of the net, and the Saddlers now had a two goal lead.
Dobson then curled another visitors free kick over the bar, before Oztumer had another free kick opportunity from an almost identical position to the one he scored, however this time keeper Oxley got down to save the effort and prevent the Walsall midfielder from getting his hat-trick.
However with five minutes remaining he was to complete his treble when poking home a Leahy cross from close range to seal the points for his side and complete a wonderful performance from the number ten. Oztumer was subbed two minutes later and got applause from some of the home supporters as they knew he had been the best player on the pitch by a mile in this one.
The Blues tried to net a consolation and saw a Cox effort deflect just wide in the 90th minute, however it had been one of those days for the home side and saw Powell’s unbeaten start as boss end here. A performance to forget for the Blues then, whilst for Walsall it was a brilliant victory which took them above the Blues in the table on goal difference.
Full Time Southend United 0 Walsall 3
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