STARS ABROAD: Full minutes for Harper in Walsall draw as Oduor helps Grimsby secure maximum points
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Reading Time: 2min | Sun. 25.01.26. | 14:12
Harper, who was deployed in an advanced midfield role despite being a defender by trade, delivered a solid all-round performance
Harambee Stars defender Vincent Harper played 90 minutes as promotion-chasing Walsall slipped two places, in League Two, after being held to a scrappy goalless draw by Accrington Stanley.
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Walsall’s top scorer Daniel Kanu came closest to breaking the deadlock in the second half, his diving header from an Evan Weir free-kick crashing off the crossbar with 15 minutes remaining.
Accrington held firm to secure a point that keeps them 16th, 14 points clear of the relegation zone.
Both sides struggled to create clear-cut chances in an attritional first half.
Alex Pattison went close early on for the Saddlers, rippling the side netting from a tight angle before firing over on the stretch just before the break.
Accrington’s best opening of the half fell to Isaac Heath, but he scuffed his effort straight at Walsall goalkeeper Myles Roberts.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Walsall enjoying more of the chances but failing to find a breakthrough.
In stoppage time, Ollie Wright produced a fine save to tip Aden Flint’s header over the bar and preserve the stalemate.
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Harper, who was deployed in an advanced midfield role despite being a defender by trade, delivered a solid all-round performance.
He registered one key pass, completed two successful crosses from three attempts, and made seven passes inside the opposition box.
He also completed four accurate passes from eight attempts.
Defensively, the Kenyan international contributed eight defensive actions, including one tackle, four interceptions, three clearances, and a recovery.
He won four of his eight ground duels and two of four aerial duels.
Elsewhere, another Kenyan, Clarke Oduor, featured in League Two as Grimsby Town continued their fine run of form with a 2-0 away victory over Cheltenham.
Oduor was introduced in the 81st minute, replacing Charles Vernam.
Kieran Green gave Grimsby an early lead with a superb long-range strike in the fifth minute, while substitute Jaze Kabia sealed the win in the 74th minute, his cross from the right drifting into the far corner with no touch from his teammates despite Andy Cook closing in.
