Wednesday, 1 February 2012

Walsall 0 Notts County 1

Lee Hughes put aside his off-field problems as James Walker's big night went pear-shaped.
Hughes, 35, netted his tenth goal of the season to give County their first league win of the year - only two days after being charged with the sexual assault.

He will appear before magistrates on February 8th to face this latest charge for which he was arrested on December 6th, 2011 for the alleged assault of a woman in a south London hotel. In August 2004, Hughes was found guilty of causing the death by dangerous driving of Douglas Graham, and of leaving the scene of an accident. He was sentenced to six years.

Walsall were celebrating keeper Walker's record breaking 532rd game for the club for less than three minutes before Hughes lashed home Ben Burgess's pass from 15 yards.

And Walker's night got worse in a poor match when he suffered a hamstring injury - and was subbed - at the break with the relegation threatened Saddlers still looking for their first win since Boxing Day.

Hughes came close to a second in the 79th minute, but Walker's replacement David Grof rushed out to block his shot from the edge of the box.

Walsall sub George Bowerman had a goal ruled out after team mate manny Smith was adjudged top have committed a foul in the build up, but frankly, County got what they deserved ... as did the Saddlers.

The home side's performance must have concerned many (if not all) of the local support. The introduction of Stoke loanee midfielder Florent Cuvelier, 19, as a second half sub seemed to spur the team on a little, but - for me - the U-19 Beligian, Bowerman and Jamie Paterson appeared to be the only players on show how offered some sort of hope.

County boss Martin Allen was delighted for striker Lee Hughes and said:

"He's had a tough time in the last couple of months and so it was good he got on the score sheet.

I had dinner with Lee and his wife and spent three hours talking to them the night before the game and I left happy knowing I could play him. He's had a tough time and I've done my best to protect him.

When he scored he looked over and gave me a little smile. I'm pleased for him and his wife."

Allen was also happy with the team performance and said:

"We've played better this season and not come out with a victory.

Lots of my players have got cuts, knocks and bruises. You have to have everyone committed to the cause and that's what happened."

Walsall manager Dean Smith was disappointed and groaned:

"Our home performances haven't been bad ad so that's why I don't know where that first half performance came from. We seemed to go into our shells. That's not what we're about.

I stuck with the team that have been unbeaten in three games. They'll feel they've let themselves down.

It was a good finish by Hughes though and it's what he does best."
My clipping from the morning paper

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