Phew, what a relief

MOMENT OF MAGIC: Robbie Simpson swivels to unleash an unstoppable shot and put Athletic 2-0 ahead.

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Athletic 2, Walsall 1

Cisak’s late penalty heroics save Latics
SHEER relief was the over-riding emotion as Athletic almost threw away what had appeared to be the most routine of victories against a sorry-looking Walsall outfit.

Two goals up thanks to a pair of terrific first-half goals from the rejuvenated Filipe Morais and Robbie Simpson, it would have been even better for the home side had Shefki Kuqi not fired wide after working a great scoring opportunity in the second period.

Straight down at the other end, Saddlers midfielder Florent Cuvelier’s speculative drive then slipped under the body of goalkeeper Alex Cisak – and the home side’s fragile nerves came thoroughly into focus.

Gone was the slick passing that characterised the first half against Dean Smith’s confidence-less visitors.

In were hurried punts up front, the regular loss of possession all over the pitch and a generally panicky demeanour. From a position of contentment, the panic button was pressed.

And even after Alex Nicholls had fired over a rebound after Cisak had parried out Jamie Paterson’s 90th-minute drive, there was time for some further late drama.

When an optimistic ball was sent over the top of Jean-Yves Mvoto in the fifth minute of added time, Cisak was slow off his line to slide in and claim the ball and by the time he had done so, referee Andy Woolmer had invoked dread in the majority of an awful crowd of 2,583 by pointing to the penalty spot for an alleged shove by Mvoto on substitute Will Grigg.

Up stepped Nicholls – and down dived Cisak, pushing his effort past the left-hand post superbly.

There was time left only for the resulting corner, which Cisak caught, and a clearance from his hand which signalled the end of the contest.

Athletic started the game impressively, with Keanu Marsh-Brown immediately to the fore on his full debut for the club.

The winger, operating on the left flank with Chris Taylor moved inside as a replacement for James Wesolowski, shot past hapless Walsall full-back Lee Beevers on halfway, advanced to the by-line and after a low cut-back was controlled by Simpson, Morais was composed in firing left-footed past a rooted-to-the-spot David Grof with a mere 73 seconds on the clock.

It was the perfect way to banish any lingering Johnstone’s Paint Trophy knock-out blues.

The joy was very nearly short-lived. Walsall attacked with rare purpose down Athletic’s left flank and on-loan Stoke midfielder Cuvelier smacked a low right-footed shot against the inside of a well-beaten Cisak’s right-hand post from 15 yards.

Kuqi looked purposeful and at the other end, had a first-time shot from the right channel saved low by Grof.

Despite the early chance, the visitors were struggling – a verdict emphasised by their captain Andy Butler firing a simple square pass from a free-kick straight into touch.

Quick feet from Marsh-Brown helped Tom Adeyemi to spin neatly and fire over, left-footed, before Simpson’s superb seventh goal of the season.

Taking Morais’ right-wing cross on his chest, he shifted the ball into a shooting position and struck a true first-time effort over his own right-hand shoulder and past Grof for the second goal of the evening. It was expert stuff.

The opening of the second half saw the game enter a quiet period, with Athletic at least subconsciously content to let events meander along.

Just after the hour a hint of danger presented itself. Cisak flapped at a Richard Taundry corner and substitute Oliver Lancashire applied a boot to the loose ball, volleying a tough chance narrowly wide.

Kuqi was booked for dissent as frustration over an inability to get the ball down and play manifested itself.

The 13-goal striker should have ended what is now a 12-game drought shortly afterwards.

Taking Kieran Lee’s cross with his back to goal, the burly forward shifted the ball out of his feet and looked a certain scorer, only for the shot to travel inches wide.

Then came Cuvelier’s strike at the other end. And even though Athletic’s composure was shot, Walsall didn’t create another chance until Nicholls fired over the top in the final minute of normal time.

Athletic’s management felt the award of the late penalty was a tough decision on their men.

Had it resulted in a drawn game, they would have been within their rights to have felt aggrieved.

As it was, Athletic were ultimately deserving of a first victory in 2012 – if, arguably, a little fortunate to pick it up.