Walsall boss Mat Sadler was “gutted” that Rollin Menayese’s story book return had a sour ending in a 1-1 draw with Barrow.
Defender Menayese, recalled from his loan with Vanarama National League side Aldershot by the injury-hit Saddlers on the day of the game, made a swift impact by crashing home Taylor Allen’s inviting corner seven minutes before half-time.
The duo teamed up for the game’s other goal, though, Allen rolling back into his own penalty area with Menayese seemingly not expecting the pass and lunging into onrushing Emile Acquah as he attempted to deal with it.
Dean Campbell made no mistake with his 53rd-minute spot-kick, tucking low to Jackson Smith’s right to level.
“Clearly we are down to the bare bones in that area,” said Sadler.
“To have five centre-halves missing and to still have a back-three playing as well as they are, I can’t see many squads being able to cope with that.
“Rollin had a really steady, solid game. I was gutted for him that it didn’t end up with the headline he would have wanted in winning us the game.
“It was a wrench for him to leave Aldershot because he was having a really good spell with them.
“I could have recalled him earlier as I had no defensive cover in that area, but I wanted him to get games – I just couldn’t wait any longer.”
It was eventful either side of the goals with Walsall’s Mo Faal denied by James Chester’s point-blank block after half an hour.
The on-loan West Brom striker should have made it 2-0 just 40 seconds into the second half, but he fluffed his finish after Josh Gordon had robbed Chester and raced down the right to put it on a plate.
Barrow’s Kian Spence hit the base of the post from a half-cleared corner five minutes before the equaliser.
Rory Feely headed Sam Foley’s deep corner against upright eight minutes from the end as the visitors searched for a winner.
However, Walsall could have nicked it deep into added time, Douglas James-Taylor having a close-range blast deflected wide and then an effort from the corner that followed blocked amid an almighty scramble.
Despite hitting the woodwork twice, Barrow boss Pete Wild was happy with the hard-earned point and dedicated it to the travelling fans who endured traffic troubles en route to the Poundland Bescot Stadium.
“I got a text from the supporters’ trust saying they were going to get here at 8 o’clock,” he said.
“I used that in the pre-match talk, I told the lads the fans would be late and that we had to give them something to travel back home with.
“You can always just look at the last 10 minutes of the game, but it should have been 2-0 (to Walsall) one minute into the second half.
“You have to look at the context of the game as a whole and we had some really good chances. I was really impressed with how we played and any point on the road is a good one.”
USWNT goalkeeper Naeher to retire from international football
United States goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher is to retire from international football next month.
Naeher has won 113 caps for the USWNT and was a regular between the sticks during their most recent World Cup-winning campaign in 2019, also starting for Emma Hayes' Olympic Gold medallists in Paris earlier this year.
The 36-year-old, who has represented the Chicago Red Stars in the NWSL since 2016, will link up with Hayes' side for their upcoming friendlies against England and the Netherlands, but that will be the final camp she attends.
Naeher said in a statement posted to her Instagram account: "With immense gratitude and very thoughtful consideration, I have decided to retire from the international game.
"Having the opportunity to be a part of the USWNT for the past 15 years has been the greatest honour.
"This has been a special team to be a part of and I am beyond proud of what we have achieved both on and off the field. The memories I have made over the years will last me a lifetime.
"I know one chapter is ending, but I am so excited to continue to see the growth of this team going forward and what more they can accomplish."
Hope Solo (202) and Briana Scurry (175) are the only goalkeepers to make more appearances for the team than Naeher, who made her debut versus Argentina in December 2014.
Mbappe position switch works wonders for Ancelotti
Carlo Ancelotti was satisfied his tactical decision to switch Kylian Mbappe's position in attack paid off in Real Madrid's 3-0 win over Leganes.
Mbappe scored his seventh goal of the season to help Madrid to a comfortable victory in LaLiga on Sunday.
However, his position in Madrid's front line has been a topic of debate since he joined the Spanish champions, with Mbappe having often played out wide while at Paris Saint-Germain.
And Ancelotti elected to switch Mbappe out to the left flank against Leganes, with Vinicius Junior spearheading Los Blancos' attack.
"Mbappe played on the left side, where he did well, and Vinicius on the inside," Ancelotti told reporters.
"We have to highlight their play to open the scoring. They did very, very well. Mbappe scored, after a fantastic assist from Vinicius. Little by little, they're both improving.
"Kylian is more used to playing there and today, for the team and for him, it was the best thing.
"Because playing on the outside brings more effort and Vinicius was back on Thursday. Meanwhile, Kylian had been training here for a week and a half, he was fresher."
Mbappe was not called up by France coach Didier Deschamps for this month's Nations League games, despite being Les Bleus' captain.
With an injury crisis at the back and a trip to Anfield to face Premier League and Champions League leaders Liverpool coming up, Ancelotti added he was hopeful of Lucas Vazquez, who has a hamstring strain, and Aurelien Tchouameni, who is recovering from a sprained left ankle, returning to action.
He was also upbeat about the contribution of Federico Valverde, who scored from a free-kick while filling in at right-back.
"The truth is that Fede, at the back, has done very well," said Ancelotti of the Uruguayan, who also wore the captain's armband.
"He's a fantastic fullback. After Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez, the best right-back in the world. His problem is that he can play at this level in many positions and is the coach's problem to choose the best position for the team.
"Let's see if Lucas and Tchouameni can recover. If not, we will make decisions."
Jude Bellingham netted Madrid's other goal as Ancelotti's team closed to within four points of LaLiga leaders Barcelona, who drew 2-2 with Celta Vigo on Saturday.
Madrid also have a game in hand on Hansi Flick's side.
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