Jamaican Matt, Barbados’ Hope on target in England

LONDON, England (CMC):

Jamaican striker Jamile Matt sparked a Walsall comeback with a first-half equaliser, and Barbados forward Hallam Hope earned Oldham a share of their Lancashire derby in the English leagues on Saturday.

Matt, 34, equalised on the stroke of half-time and spurred a Walsall 3-1 comeback win against Tranmere Rovers to keep them in the hunt for a League 2 play-off spot, while Hope, 29, found the nets early, and Oldham and Rochdale drew 1-1 in the National League.

The Saddlers, as Walsall are known, recorded back-to-back wins in League 2 with their win against Tranmere at Prenton Park.

But they were behind after 24 minutes after Rob Apter cut inside, and Rovers worked the ball inside for Scotsman Regan Hendry to calmly place a left-footed effort past Jackson Smith into the far corner of the Walsall goal.

Matt drew the Saddlers level in the first half added-time when Joe Foulkes sent a dangerous cross into the box, which was pinpoint to the Jamaican, who directed his header past Rovers netminder Luke McGee.

Walsall made the brighter start in the second half, and a Taylor Allen free kick from midway through the Tranmere half bobbled and evaded everyone in the box, including McGee, and trickled into the back of the net to hand the visitors a 2-0 lead after 57 minutes.

Brandon Comley secured full points 10 minutes later when he got the ball in space and assessed his options before unleashing a fierce drive from distance that found the bottom corner with a perfectly placed right-footed effort.

Walsall are ninth in the 24-team standings on 62 points, while Rovers are 17th on 41 points.

Hope scored against Rochdale for the second time in the National League this season, but the Latics, as Oldham are known, had to settle for a point in their penultimate home match of the season at Boundary Park.

Oldham started with attacking intensity, and soon got their rewards when James Norwood intercepted a sloppy pass and fed the ball to Josh Lundstram for him to set up Hope nicely for a rasping shot in the roof of the net in the seventh minute.

Rochdale levelled after 27 minutes from a corner, which was powered into the box at the near post, and Sam Mather got the decisive touch from among a sea of players to direct the ball over the line.

Oldham are ninth in the 24-team standings on 61 points, while Rochdale are 11th on 57 points.