Game 38 Taxi for Westley

As predictable as snow and ice in winter Preston slumped to yet another home defeat at the hands of Walsall. The 9823 who attended the family fun day to mark Graham Westley's first year as a manger of Preston will not be returning in droves after this shocker of a performance.
Once Brandy had opened the scoring for the visitors in the 18th minute, there was going to be only one winner.
North End had already had two warnings in the opening minutes but giant keeper Stuckmann had already made two great saves to keep the home side level. A Wroe shot at the other end was well saved by McLoughlin in the Walsall net.
The home side were unlucky in the 17th minute when Beavon squirmed free and squared the ball towards Garner who had the simple task of putting the ball in the net, well he would have done if he hadn't been pulled down by a defender, nothing was given, astonishing decision. To add insult to injury within a minute the Saddlers were ahead. Grigg easily dispossessed Foster at the edge of the box before squaring the ball to Brandy who scored from close range. (0-1)
Baxendale had two chances to increase the lead, he should have scored the first when he had plenty of time to lob the ball over the keeper but put it wide, thenalso narrowly missed with a 20 yards shot.
The second was soon to arrive, when Chambers cross was easily headed into the net by Downing. (0-2)
A Holmes shot went narrowly wide just on half time for the home side but that did nothing to lift the gloom.
An early shout for a Walsall penalty in the second half turned down but a third goal was soon to arrive following another Foster error, Grigg benefitting from the error squared the ball to Baxendale to hammer home the third. (0-3)
This was the sign for quite a few home supporters to head for the exit zone and to be honest who could blame them.
A great save from a Holmes free kick by McLoughlin kept out the home side, but Walsall always looked like catching the robotic home side out and Grigg really should have done better after more awful defending.
Deep in injury time Wright headed home a consolation, the ironic cheers summed the mood up of the home fans. (1-3)
As I said this game was a celebration to mark Westley's first anniversary, he should receive a card with a P45 in it.

Preston North End 1 Walsall 3 Att 9823