Now, had I been pushed to choose, I’d have probably
wagered a fair penny on Auto Windscreen elimination tonight.
I was convinced that both the Hatters and the
law of averages would have been too much for us. A third consecutive away win
at Kenilworth Road surely had to be asking too much? However the boys delivered
again, returned to something like a bit of form and to be fair - once they got
their noses in front - simply cruised it.
Granted Luton fielded a weakened side
compared to our full strength outfit but to be honest they could have put both
their sides out and we would still have won. Had the Hatters scored seven then I reckon we’d have got eight as we
were always in command.
An early goal obviously helps though and it
duly arrived via a fine run and cross from the recalled Jason Brissett and a tidy far
post finish by cup specialist Andy Watson.
Had Walter Otta still been here then Watson probably wouldn’t have
started but I guess when you get your chance you have to take it and Watson did
precisely that.
We then got a little bit sloppy and allowed
Luton to get a foothold in the game for a while and although it was the only
time all evening that they had the initiative they really should have made more
of it. Walker completely missed a cross
and the centre back volleyed over from five yards out with an open goal at his
mercy and Roper had to make two or three fantastic last ditch tackles to get us
out of trouble.
However, as the half closed we regained our
composure, nullified what Luton were doing and edged towards being comfortable
again.
The second half began in exactly the same
manner as the first did with the Saddlers finding the back of the net. A neat one two between Wrack and Rambo ended
with Dazzer volleying home at the near post, running around the back of the
goal and high fiving with a childish idiot who takes this competition far too
seriously. Me, and I got all too excited about it.
I love wingers and if I had to pick my
favourite current Walsall player then Dazzer would be fighting it out with the
Ram. It’s a tight decision but Rammell
probably just shades it.
Luton then managed to miss a penalty, which
amazingly was the worst one seen this season - and remember we’ve seen some shockers
- and essentially folded after that.
Wrack and Brissett ran amok down the flanks
as we created and wasted a load of chances until the ever improving Keates
lashed home a killer third with nine minutes left on the clock.
Game over and home and dry and happy and in the draw for the next round. We couldn’t ask for any more.