Walsall
v Wrexham

Saturday 05 February 2005 @ 15:00

THE VENUE
Address: Bescot Stadium, Bescot Crescent, Walsall, WS1 4SA.
Telephone Number: 0870-442 0442 Fax Number: 01922 613202
Web: www.saddlers.co.uk E-mail Address:
Jump To: Venue, Travel Guide, Ticket and Ground Info, Pre Match Analysis, Match Preview

 

TRAVEL GUIDE
Directions from Wrexham: Head south on the A483, A5 past Oswestry and Shrewsbury to join the M54. Continue to the end of the M54 where you merge with the M6 southbound at junction 10a. Leave the M6 at junction 9 and at the roundabout take the first exit turning left onto the A461. After 400 yards the road divides and at the lights you want to take right hand lanes to join the A4148 Wallows Lane and the ground is signposted from here. Take right hand lanes from here and at the traffic lights continue straight on, crossing over a bridge before turning right into Bescot Crescent. The ground is now located on your left after the Retail Park.

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Car Parking: There is parking at the ground costing £3 and there is also street parking in the vicinity of the ground although this is not available on Bescot Crescent. The retail park and Morisons now operate parking patrols that enforce the 2 hour maximum time limit so this is now a no go area.
By Train: Bescot Stadium is the nearest station and is located adjacent to the ground with trains operating from Birmingham new Street every fifteen minutes.
To plan your train journey to Walsall use the form below:
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Away Travel Club: To book call in at the club shop or by phone on 01978 262109. Please note a booking fee is applicable with credit card orders.
WST Travel: Contact Pete Jones by e-mail on Shreds@wafc123.freeserve.co.uk to reserve your place. Coaches leave the Turf at 12:00 and Oswestry Bus Station at 12:30.
By Bus: From Walsall Town centre catch a number 405 bus which travels past the ground every fifteen minutes.
Beer and Grub: The Saddlers Club admits away fans at a small charge where drinks and snacks are served before and after the game. The nearest pub is the King George V located next to the Morrisons supermarket, which was the former location of Fellows park, Walsall's previous ground before their move to the Bescot at the start of the 90's. From the ground walk past the McDonalds on the retail park taking a right and then a left into Wallowes Lane. At the end of this road turn left and the pub will be in view on your left. Due to the trouble experienced at the game at the Racecourse this season then do not be surprised if they operate an 'away' entrance to the pub. The Fulbrock pub near the ground is a no go for away fans. The nearest food outlet is the McDonalds on the retail park whilst inside the ground you can get the chicken balti pie at £2 with Walsall the first ground to offer balti pies.
Cash Machines: there are tow machines at the ground but these charge £1.75 per transaction but there is a free Abbey machine at the Morrisons supermarket.
Jump To: Venue, Travel Guide, Ticket and Ground Info, Pre Match Analysis, Match Preview


TICKET AND GROUND INFO
General: Away fans are house din the William Sharp Stand behind one of the goal which has seats for almost 2,000 supporters. The downside is that supporting pillars can obstruct the view of the game but on the plus side a small number of fans can make some noise because of the construction of the stand. You will also find betting facilities inside the ground but no bar.
Ticket Office: 0870-442 0111 or 0870-442 0222
Seats: William Sharp Stand - Adults £17 on the day or £15 in advance; Concessions £12 on the day or £10 in advance.
Standing: None - all seated
Disabled Facilities: There are 25 parking spaces around the ground for orange/blue badge holders with access to the stadium at level ground. Inside there are 4 adapted toilets and 2 catering outlets on each end of the banks Brewery Stand although these are not dedicated. There are no specific number of spaces for away fans they are allocated at the font of the Banks Brewery Stand but views can be obstructed as fellow supporters pass to their seats. The DSA is Sally Dorsett and can be contacted on 01922 651410.
Programme and Fanzines: Programme £2.00; Ninety Minuets from Europe Fanzine 50p
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PRE MATCH ANALYSIS
CURRENT FORM - THE LAST FIVE GAMES

Walsall

 Wrexham
Opposition Competition Score Opposition Competition Score
Huddersfield (h) League 1 4-3 Doncaster (h) League 1 0-0
Colchester (a) League 1 0-5 Hereford (a) LDV Vans N SF 2-1
Tranmere (a) League 1 1-2 Chesterfield (a) League 1 4-2
Chesterfield (h) League 1 3-0 Tranmere (h) League 1 1-5
Brentford (a) League 1 0-1 Peterboro (a) League 1 2-2

Walsall

 Overall
W D L F A GD W D L F A GD
2 0 3 8 11 -3 2 1 2 9 10 -1
THE SEASON SO FAR - LEAGUE RECORD

Walsall

 Wrexham
Pld W D L F A GD Pts Pos Pld W D L F A GD Pts Pos
30 10 8 12 44 52 -8 38 15 30 9 9 12 36 54 -18 26 21
THE DANGER MEN - TOP GOAL SCORERS

Walsall

 Wrexham
Player League Cup Total Player League Cup Total
Matt Fryatt 12 0 12 Hector Sam 5 3 8
Jorge Leitao 6 3 9 Dennis Lawrence 5 2 7
Darren Wrack 5 1 6 Chris Armstrong 7 0 7
Marvin Robertson 4 0 4 Chris Llewellyn 3 4 7
Daryl Taylor 3 0 3 Juan Ugarte 6 1 7
Michael Standing 3 0 3 Andy Holt 4 1 5

THE HARD MEN - WORST DISCIPLINE

Walsall

 Wrexham
Player Yellow Card Red Card Player Yellow Card Red Card
Julian Bennett 7 1 Chris Armstrong 6 1
Ian Roper 3 2 Darren Ferguson 7 0
Neil Emblen 4 0 Shaun Pejic 5 0
Zigor Aranalde 3 0 Danny Williams 5 0
Simon Osborn 3 0 Juan Ugarte 5 0

HEAD TO HEAD
Competition

Walsall

 Draw Wrexham Total
League 19 12 28 59
FA Cup 2 1 0 3
League Cup 0 0 0 0
Other 0 0 0 0
Overall 21 13 28 62
Overall as a % 34% 21% 45% 100%

RECENT MEETINGS
Home Team Score Away Team Date Competition Link
Wrexham 1-1 Walsall 16-Oct-04 League 1 Review
Walsall 2-3 Wrexham 24-Feb-01 Nationwide 2 Review
Wrexham 0-1 Walsall 23-Sep-00 Nationwide 2 Review
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MATCH PREVIEW
THE MATCH

Wrexham Team News: Wrexham welcome back striker Juan Ugarte back from suspension but at the same time lose Danny Williams after the midfield picked up his fifth yellow card of the season at Hereford last month. Jim Whitley was struck down with a virus during the week but has now recovered and is favourite to replace Williams in the defensive midfield role. On loan Ben Foster continues in goal with a back three of Steve Roberts, Craig Morgan and Dennis Lawrence. Whitley will team up with Darren Ferguson and Mark Jones in midfield with Carlos Edwards and Andy Holt as wing backs. Chris Llewellyn will team up with the inform Ugarte up front as Chris Armstrong has been ruled out with a thigh strain and back up keeper Michael Jones has had an x-ray on a suspected badly bruised wrist, which could leave Wrexham without cover on the bench.

Wrexham Squad (19): Foster, Michael Jones, Morgan, Pejic, Lawrence, Roberts, Holt, Edwards, Smith, Crowell, Mark Jones, Crowell, Mackin, Green, Llewellyn, Ugarte, Sam, Whitley, Bennett.

Walsall Team News: The Saddlers are without the services of experienced midfielder Mark Kinsella after he damaged ankle ligaments during training in midweek. Simon Osborn is the favourite to replace Kinsella but Andrew Surman is another alternative after he scored for the reserves in midweek. Ian Roper is included in the squad but is not fully match fit and at best will hope for a place on the bench after only recovering from a knee injury. Walsall are still without keeper Richard McKinney and youngster Dean Coleman continues on the bench as cover.

Officials: The match referee is Tony Leake from Lancashire and he is assisted by Martin Dexter from Leicestershire and Geoff Russell from Northamptonshire. Tony Leake has refereed 24 games this season sending off 5 players and booking 65 at an average of 2.71 per game.

Weather: Light rain with a maximum temperature of 6 degrees Celsius and 9 mph southerly wind.

The Bookies View: Bet Direct are offering the Walsall win at 10/11 with Wrexham best priced at 16/5 with Sporting Odds. You can get the draw at 5/2 with Stan James.
Jump To: Venue, Travel Guide, Ticket and Ground Info, Pre Match Analysis, Match Preview