Earlier this evening Walsall Football Club's Under 18s side played host to Burton Albion in the First Round of this season's FA Youth Cup, with the winner set to take on either Stratford Town or Kidderminster Harriers in the Second Round.
Neil Woods' side were keen to make their mark in this season's competition, having being knocked out of last years tournament by West Bromwich Albion, in the Third Round.
It was Burton Albion who took an early lead; via Mark Shelton, who slipped the ball past Dan Jezeph following a cross from Marcus Dinanga, who had earlier broken down the left flank, as the Brewers got get their Youth Cup campaign off to a successful start.
Walsall got themselves back into the game just after the thirty-minute mark, free-scoring Levi Rowley sending a looping header over the 'keeper following Tevin Shakespeare's cross.
Soon after, Walsall were denied a penalty by referee Adam Burgess, Levi Rowley appeared to be hauled down in the box by his marker, Burgess waiving away all protests.
The Brewers went back into the lead after thirty-nine minutes, Mark Shelton finding the back of the net once again, this time with something of a wonder goal, which gave Walsall 'keeper Jezeph little chance of saving.
The Saddlers battled in vain to get an equaliser as the half came to a close.
H/T: WALSALL U18s 1 BURTON ALBION UNDER 18s 2
As the second half got underway Romario Reid replaced Rory Oliver, Saddlers boss Neil Woods looking for extra attacking impetus.
It didn't take long for that change to have at least some effect; Tevin Shakespeare broke down the left before hammering the ball across goal, as 'keeper Hornby scrambled across his area.
With just over twenty minutes of the game remaining, Saddlers midfielder Luke Delaney had the goal at his mercy but was denied by a last-ditch block from an Albion defender, this was one of a number of close-calls for the Saddlers as Burton defended well against high pressure.
Walsall controlled much of the second period of the game, several last-ditch tackles and blocks keeping the visitors in the lead. Rico Henry, Luke Delaney and Levi Rowley all being denies goals as the visitors attempted to park the bus.
Jordon Sangha was replaced by Nathan Owen, whilst Brendan Pooni replaced Raekwan Smith with around five minutes of the game remaining, however this was not enough to earn the Saddlers a breakthrough as the Brewers progressed to the second round of the competition.
F/T: WALSALL U18s 1 BURTON ALBION U18s 2
GOALS: Levi Rowley -- Mark Shelton (2)
The Saddlers battled in vain to get an equaliser as the half came to a close.
H/T: WALSALL U18s 1 BURTON ALBION UNDER 18s 2
As the second half got underway Romario Reid replaced Rory Oliver, Saddlers boss Neil Woods looking for extra attacking impetus.
It didn't take long for that change to have at least some effect; Tevin Shakespeare broke down the left before hammering the ball across goal, as 'keeper Hornby scrambled across his area.
With just over twenty minutes of the game remaining, Saddlers midfielder Luke Delaney had the goal at his mercy but was denied by a last-ditch block from an Albion defender, this was one of a number of close-calls for the Saddlers as Burton defended well against high pressure.
Walsall controlled much of the second period of the game, several last-ditch tackles and blocks keeping the visitors in the lead. Rico Henry, Luke Delaney and Levi Rowley all being denies goals as the visitors attempted to park the bus.
Jordon Sangha was replaced by Nathan Owen, whilst Brendan Pooni replaced Raekwan Smith with around five minutes of the game remaining, however this was not enough to earn the Saddlers a breakthrough as the Brewers progressed to the second round of the competition.
F/T: WALSALL U18s 1 BURTON ALBION U18s 2
GOALS: Levi Rowley -- Mark Shelton (2)
WALSALL Jezeph; J.Smith, Lewis, Sangha, R.Smith, K.Rowley, Oliver, Delaney, Shakespeare, L.Rowley, Henry
SUBS Miruszenko; Reid, Pooni, Owen, Roberts
BURTON ALBION Hornby; Murfin, Richards, Gatter, Coggins, Fox, Allen, Shelton, Austin, Pearson, Dinanga
SUBS Walker; Sejdick, Callaghan, Thorpe, Troke