Walsall defender reveals delight after play-off win and 11th strike of the season
Walsall goalscorer Taylor Allen believes his side executed their game plan perfectly in their play-off first leg victory at Chesterfield.
The Saddlers will take a two-goal advantage back to Bescot Stadium next week after a 2-0 victory over Paul Cook’s Spireites at the SMH Group Stadium.
If Walsall avoid defeat on Friday night, they will set up a tie with either Wimbledon or Notts County at Wembley on May 26 for a place in League One.
And Allen was delighted with the resoluteness his team-mates showed during their victory in Derbyshire.
“It was a really good performance as a group,” he said. “At the front of the pitch and the back end of the pitch.
“Everyone who came on did their jobs as well, and that is one of the things we spoke about.
“Can everyone be solid, can everyone be resolute, and we knew that we would have a chance, and that is what we did.
“When we were under a bit of pressure in the second half, we got up the pitch with the subs coming on. Everyone has done so well.”
It was Allen’s penalty in the 28th minute that gave the Saddlers the advantage in the tie - that was his 11th goal of the season.
Alfie Chang, who had not scored in senior football before the clash at Chesterfield, got the second when his thumping drive beat Ryan Boot to register Walsall’s second just before the break.
That gave them a comfortable lead, and they saw out the second period.
And speaking after the game, he revealed he changed which side he was going to put his spot-kick, because he knew which way the keeper was going to dive.
He said: “I did not really expect to put those numbers on the board, but as it has gone on through the season, I have fancied my chances in set pieces and from the edge of the box, so I am happy to get another one.
“I was in a bit of a head space where I thought the keeper thinks I am going to go the same way I have gone with my last three penalties.
“He came up to me at the end of the game and said, ‘You have changed your mind, haven’t you?’
“I said, ‘Yes, just a little bit.’ I knew what he was going to do. I am just happy to put that one on the board, and that settled us down, and then we got another one.”
