Jed Ward supplies assist as Walsall preserve EFL’s last unbeaten league record

Jed Ward combined a clean sheet with an assist as Walsall defeated Oldham Athletic 3-0, preserving their unbeaten start to the League Two season. BBC Sport reported on Wednesday that the Saddlers were the only team in the EFL still without a league defeat, with four wins and seven draws from their opening 11 matches leaving them fourth.

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The goalkeeper helped create the breakthrough in Tuesday’s game at Bescot after gathering a cross. According to Sky Sports’ match report, Ward sent a low pass forward for Tai Sodje, who got away from Manny Monthe and finished past Mathew Hudson via a post in the 21st minute. Ward also denied Kane Drummond and Favour Fawunmi during the opening half.

Aaron Pressley doubled Walsall’s advantage five minutes after the opener, finishing over Hudson after being released by Declan Skura. His second goal arrived from the penalty spot in the 58th minute following a handball by Mike Fondop. Walsall then lost Elicha Ahui to a red card for bringing down Fawunmi and had to protect their lead with 10 players for the final half-hour.

Ward’s latest shutout brought his total to eight in 13 appearances across all competitions since his summer move from Bristol Rovers, BBC Sport reported. The 23-year-old had made 43 saves from 50 shots on target in League Two, an 86% save rate. Six of his clean sheets had come in the league, with Exeter’s Jack Bycroft the only goalkeeper ahead of him on seven.

Manager Lee Grant praised Ward’s saves at important stages and his distribution when speaking to BBC Radio WM. The performance also added an attacking contribution to a season in which the goalkeeper has regularly been called upon to stop shots. Pressley highlighted the quality of the pass that released Sodje for the opener.

The result sent Oldham down to 21st, according to Sky Sports. Drummond had threatened either side of the interval, heading narrowly wide and forcing Ward to save with his legs, but the visitors could not turn those chances into a goal. Walsall’s clean sheet survived both those opportunities and the numerical disadvantage that followed Ahui’s dismissal.