Latics lack cutting edge

Photo: Pictures by ALAN HOWARTH

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Athletic 0, Walsall 1

THE HUSH around the stands matched a muted effort on the pitch as Athletic saw a crack appear in their reservoir of optimism at Boundary Park.

For a third game in a row, the team conceded first — this time to a polished and effective Walsall outfit that managed to control the midfield area too long for home boss Lee Johnson’s comfort.

James Baxendale’s rifled shot took a slight deflection on its way past rooted goalkeeper Mark Oxley in the 20th minute after a sweeping counter-attack down the right flank.

And this time, unlike at Stevenage seven days earlier, there were no fireworks from Athletic in response.

The Saddlers’ goal originated from one of very few clear-cut opportunities on a day when Athletic didn’t function nearly as well as at the Lamex Stadium on the opening day, or indeed at Boundary Park in the first half against Derby last Tuesday.

In front of a sizeable crowd, this was a second blank on home soil inside five days.

It could be costly, if a large portion of the extra fans attracted in recent games decide not to come back for the Port Vale fixture on Saturday week. But there is no reason for Athletic to feel too despondent.

Despite being below-par, the team could have salvaged a point or even three.

Athletic should have won what looked like a clear penalty in the first half, when Cristian Montano’s acrobatic volley was blocked by the raised hand of Adam Chambers in the penalty area. But referee Gary Sutton took a couple of seconds then shook his head.

Johnson was doing likewise early in a second half which featured a collective lifting of Athletic’s energy levels.

While clear chances were still at a premium, Sidney Schmeltz could have equalised at the end of an identical move to that from which Baxendale opened the scoring. The Dutch winger got underneath it and blazed over.

But it would be churlish to deny Walsall their deserved victory. Manager Dean Smith has put out what appears to be another fine outfit on a shoestring budget.

Walsall had few chances to add to their lead. The best fell to substitute Romaine Sawyers, who benefited from an ugly lapse from substitute Cliff Byrne to take the ball into the box and fire low, too close to Oxley.

But the onus is not on the team in front to push the boundaries. Athletic need to learn to get their own nose in front. The signs that this would not happen were apparent early on. Inside the first three minutes, Jonathan Grounds and then Connor Brown were lax in possession.

Oxley flapped at one of a string of first-half corners as Walsall started well, before Montano had his strong penalty claim turned down in the 17th minute.

Baxendale’s goal was followed by a Rooney snap-shot at the other end which flashed wide – a rare chance for the striker to put his laces through the ball – and Dayton fired a couple of yards over from the edge of the area, which was as far forward as Athletic could generally reach.

If Athletic missed the drive and power of injured Jonson Clarke-Harris, substitute Schmeltz at least did his best to fill in the gap.

Athletic pushed hard but it wasn’t until the 70th minute that the first effort on target came. A disappointing, quiet afternoon.