YOU won’t see Kelvin Davis’ name on the Saints v Oldham scoresheet, but it probably deserves to be there.
The save Davis made deep into injury time yesterday from Chris Taylor’s header was a keeper’s equivalent of netting the winning goal.
With Saints holding onto their 2-1 lead, Oldham pumped a long ball forward into the penalty area.
While the visitors had offered little threat after the electrifying Alex Chamberlain had given the home side the lead, Taylor leapt highest just yards from Davis’ line and looked set to snatch an improbable point with his firm header.
But the Saints skipper dived full-length to his left to tip the ball round the post and preserve the win.
It could prove a very important save in the context of the season.
Having disappointed at Huddersfield last week – Davis admitted in his programme notes there may have been “a little case of overconfidence” ahead of that game – it was important Saints got that out of their system as soon as possible.
To have thrown away two points at home to Oldham would have been an immensely frustrating setback.
But Davis did his bit to make sure Saints got themselves right back on the front foot.
The 34-year-old is as good as it gets at this level and his first-half save from Oumare Tounkara was equally impressive.
It is often said that a good keeper is worth a couple of wins throughout the course of a season.
The stop from Taylor certainly made sure Saints will pocket two more points than they might have done without Davis this campaign.
Throw in a fine stoppage time save from Clinton Morrison to preserve a 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough and it’s at least four they may not have had otherwise.
Chamberlain will quite rightly take the headlines for his scintillating performance as a second half sub to win the game, but Davis’ contribution shouldn’t be forgotten.
Judging by the way his defenders mobbed him at the final whistle, it certainly won’t be within the Saints camp.
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