Glovers and Saddlers draw blank

Glovers and Saddlers draw blank

Published Mar. 29, 2013 3:15 p.m. ET

Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy is determined to get a more settled goalkeeping situation at the club next season.

After first choice shot-stopper Stephen Henderson was recalled by his parent club West Ham last week, Scott Loach is expected to return for the clash against Leeds United on Saturday.

Arran Lee-Barrett and free agent Jason Brown will act as the back-up to 24-year-old Loach.

But with Town having used 18 different keepers over the last 11 seasons, McCarthy is determined to sort out the problems between the sticks in the summer.

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"It's vital we get a more settled goalkeeper situation," the Yorkshireman told The Ipswich Star.

"I was trying to sign a keeper in the window who would be our keeper. Then it would have been a case of let them all fight for the number one spot.

"In the end I was fortunate that West Ham let Stephen Henderson come back (for a second loan spell)."

And McCarthy is not worried about throwing Loach back in the starting line-up ahead of a busy Easter programme.

"I have no worries about playing Loachy again because he was terrific when he played at the start of the year," he said.

"Actually, Loach was unlucky because he played so well when he came back in.

"He kept two clean sheets, against Cardiff (0-0 away) and Middlesbrough (4-0 at home), then he hurt his thumb, in training, Hendo comes back and keeps six clean sheets in nine."

Both teams spurned a host of good opportunities as the Somerset outfit extended their disappointing recent run to five games without a win.

The sides exchanged early blows with towering defender Dan Burn heading narrowly wide, before Febian Brandy's powerful strike was palmed away by Glovers goalkeeper Marek Stech.

The Saddlers gradually took control as the half developed and came closest to breaking the deadlock when Jamie Paterson smartly cut in from the left and unleashed a swirling strike which curled agonisingly wide of the post.

The visitors, who are now unbeaten in their last 11 League One games, continued to threaten with Brandy and Paterson's trickery down the flanks keeping the Huish Park faithful on edge.

Yeovil struggled to offer any service to League One top scorer Paddy Madden and were left further frustrated when referee Tim Robinson turned down a penalty appeal when James Hayter clashed with Paul Downing.

Walsall came close to snatching the spoils when in-form Will Grigg shot over from close range, before Craig Westcarr missed a glorious header from three yards out.

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