Walsall 4-1 WBA | Division 1 2003-04

Saturday 9th August 2003 Walsall 4-1 WBA
Paul Merson scored twice on his Division One debut for Walsall to upset Midlands neighbours West Brom.
Tipped to make an instant return to the Premiership, Albion were down and out by halftime as Merson stole the show in front of a record crowd at Bescot Stadium.
West Brom began the brighter, enjoying the majority of possession and pinning Walsall back in their own half.
But despite losing defender Ian Roper to a facial injury after 10 minutes, the home side soon took a firm grip of the match.
They broke the deadlock on 18 minutes when Merson bagged his first of the afternoon.
It was a sweet finish from the former England midfielder, who left Russell Hoult clutching at thin air with a right-foot volley that flew into the top, left-hand corner of the net.
Merson then doubled his and Walsall's tally seven minutes before the break.
Joost Volmer, one of four Albion debutants, failed to clear the danger following a cross from the left, allowing the Saddlers skipper to drill the ball home off the underside of the crossbar.
The visitors, seeking an instant return to the Premiership after just one season in the top flight, then found themselves deeper in trouble.
With the halftime interval beckoning, Jorge Leitao tapped home from close range after Simon Osborn's shot had cannoned back off a post.
Any hope of an Albion comeback were extinguished within 12 minutes of the restart when Walsall claimed their fourth goal through former Wolves midfielder Steve Corica.
Wales international Jason Koumas pulled a goal back for Gary Megson's side, but it was scant consolation.
Walsall: Walker, Hay, Roper, Emblen, Bazeley, Osborn, Merson, Samways, Aranalde, Corica, Leitao. Subs: Kerr, Wrack, Matias, Birch, Oakes.
West Brom: Hoult, Gregan, Sigurdsson, Volmer, Haas, O'Connor, Johnson, Koumas, Clement, Dichio, Hulse. Subs: Murphy, Wallwork, Dobie, Sakiri, Gilchrist.
Referee: T Bates (Stoke on Trent).

[@richardpalmer8588]

In my top 5 favorite Walsall matches that I've been to.

[@biriyaniferrari165]

Got to be the best Walsall team/performance of all time.

[@ukfarangkhonkaen9051]

Maybe the reading playoff final may challenge it but certainly up there my friend

[@23rdjune]

Arsenal away, Rotherham away, Liverpool away. All in the the League cup 1983/84

[@adamwestwood9775]

i was there super saddlers was funny when they sang stand up if you hate the wolves and all 11,000 stood uo

[@SomebodyLS]

There was a West Brom fan at school who used to constantly wind me up about Walsall, write WBA over my things and generally be a right pain. He kept on about them playing Walsall and how they would thrash us. School was fun after this. :)

[@frederickdowns9450]

SomebodyLS q

[@alessandrohamza3757]

instablaster

[@brotherfecil4092]

Hope you gave him some stick mate!!!! UTS

[@grahamd5418]

Looks like this was Walsall's cup final.

[@steveguest8028]

I was there what a performance from the saddlers

[@leebutler1965]

the good old days

[@mrandroid2191]

We got battered that day. We did get promoted that season as well.

[@EDBDEV]

this was the best walsall

[@toad33332]

best game ever

[@kcthestoner]

Walsall fans singing 'WE HATE ALBION SAY WE HATE ALBION' they're fucking best mates with em nowadays!

[@ppppickup]

right ayit, proper piss in the same pot these pair

[@halfordslain7477]

Baggies went up anyway...Lol.

[@franklinandlamar6005]

The black country’s ours

[@TokyoJoe703]

Walsall fans treated Merson disgracefully

[@duncanedwards7840]

Did they? In what way ?

[@mattshiz]

Best player to have played at Walsall. Keeping him on as manager was a mistake that lasted way too long though.

[@ukfarangkhonkaen9051]

They treated him as a hero you moron, obliviously you’re not a Walsall fan nor do you have any idea what you’re talking about

[@ramonbaharanda5957]

I was a season ticket holder at the time and even though he was past it by premier league standards, Merson was a cut above everyone else in the squad.

[@DarkBooga393]

First season I started following the saddlers I was about 11 at the time and although it was a season we got relegated, I carried on UTS

[@Thematt7890]

6:24 The commentator just goes BERZERK at this bit

[@Arthur-nd6dn]

I don't even understand what he's saying lol

[@martynwarren3661]

My favourite Walsall game I have ever been to. Fantastic sunny day and brilliant performance.

[@TDMRSH]

love how dean smith commentates

[@cotton9087]

Class game....was there on that boiling hot summers afternoon

[@jacquelinegreen3775]

That was a team .I was also a season ticket holder boiling hot day to.

[@davidmason5816]

The commentator needs to calm down

[@alterbridgegod]

At the end of the season Albion got promoted and Walsall relegated lol.

[@tezmarnie192]

twat