NEXT HOME GAME - TBC
NEXT AWAY GAME - SUPPORTERS XI ARE PLAYING WORCESTER AT MALVERN ON SUNDAY AUGUST 3rd AT 3.00pm

Monday, October 10, 2005

Baker upsets Merson again

Out of all the recent departures from Edgar Street into League football, Matt Baker appears to be the only one regularly playing first team football.

The former Hereford United goalkeeper is now with Milton Keynes, having moved from Wrexham to the Dons during last season.

Last Saturday the Dons played Paul Merson's Walsall and Baker was in goal. Almost a year ago to the day Walsall played Wrexham and again Baker was in goal.

According to Birmingham ic Merson played for Walsall in the Wrexham game and his side were denied three points at the Racecourse only by the excellence of the home side's keeper Matt Baker. It took a late Julian Bennett equaliser to earn the Saddlers even a point.

Last Saturday injured Saddlers player-manager Merson was on the sidelines looking on in frustration, clutching his dug-out like a comfort blanket as he watched a Groundhog Day scenario unfold before him. Same opposition keeper, same string of fine saves, same Bennett equaliser, same 1-1 draw.

Injury-ravaged Walsall had too many key men missing and six teenagers in their starting line-up. And, for all Merson's moans about one-time Hereford United shot-stopper Baker, who he tried to buy him before MK Dons did, there were enough chances for either side to have won it.

Baker made three or four very good saves said Merson.

"He did us the same way up at Wrexham last season, and it's doubly frustrating because he was the keeper I wanted. I couldn't get him at the time and he went to Milton Keynes instead.

"This game could have been wrapped up and in the end we only got something in the last seconds. But it sums the day up for me that their keeper was man of the match."