Stars Abroad: Harper shines in Walsall win as Oduor is benched
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Reading Time: 2min | Sun. 07.09.25. | 08:48
The left-back, who joined the Saddlers from Exeter in the last transfer window, played the full 90 minutes as Walsall recorded their fourth clean sheet with him in the starting lineup
Harambee Stars hopeful Vincent Harper continued his fine form in England, starting his fourth consecutive match for Walsall in a 1-0 victory over Chesterfield at the Poundland Bescot Stadium on Saturday, 6 September.
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The left-back, who joined the Saddlers from Exeter in the last transfer window, played the full 90 minutes as Walsall recorded their fourth clean sheet with him in the starting lineup.
Daniel Kanu, on loan from Charlton Athletic, scored the decisive goal just before halftime.
Despite being reduced to ten men in the second half, Walsall restricted Chesterfield to zero shots on target.
Harper impressed with his defensive work rate and distribution.
He successfully delivered three of five attempted long balls, won nine out of 11 ground duels, and made four tackles, one block, a clearance, and an interception.
He also completed one dribble, although he lost possession eight times. His only aerial duel ended in defeat.
The match was evenly contested in the first half, with both sides creating chances.
Referee calls added to the drama, including a denied penalty shout for Aden Flint inside the opening ten minutes.
Harrison Burke narrowly missed with a header in the 21st minute, and Charlie Lakin also went close ten minutes later from a corner.
Kanu finally broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute, slotting a composed effort past Zach Hemming into the bottom left corner.
Harper and his teammates held firm to claim all three points, moving Walsall to third on the table with 15 points after seven matches, level on points with leaders Gillingham and Swindon but trailing on goal difference.
Elsewhere, another Harambee Stars prospect, Clarke Oduor, remained an unused substitute as Grimsby Town overcame a spirited second-half fightback from 10-man MK Dons to win 3-2 at Stadium MK.
Grimsby raced into a 3-0 lead with goals from Kieran Green, Jaze Kabia, and Charles Vernam, while the hosts had Jon Mellish sent off.
Despite George McEachran's own goal and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans' strike reducing the deficit, the Mariners held on.
