Earlier today Walsall's Reserve side played host to Shrewsbury Town's Reserves in the latest Final Third Development League (West Division) fixture of the season.
Walsall arrived at the game in sixth position (out of seven), and without playing a fixture since the 2-1 Final Third Development League Cup' victory over Wrexham, which took place on October 29th.
Whilst Shrewsbury Town last played, and lost, against Port Vale, their match taking place on 11th November.
It was Shrewsbury Town that kicked the game off, however Walsall swiftly took control, establishing their passing game early on, denying the visitors much time on the ball.
It was the Saddlers that took the lead, former Chelsea midfielder Billy Clifford converting a penalty after Reece Flanagan was felled just inside the box with just eight minutes on the clock.
Soon after were a couple of chances for the visitors, as firstly Matt Preston defended well on the edge of the area before Scott Vernon blasted over.
It was the Saddlers that took the lead, former Chelsea midfielder Billy Clifford converting a penalty after Reece Flanagan was felled just inside the box with just eight minutes on the clock.
Soon after were a couple of chances for the visitors, as firstly Matt Preston defended well on the edge of the area before Scott Vernon blasted over.
After twenty-three minutes Shrewsbury's Mark Ellis tripped Walsall striker Jordan Murphy who had made a great run inside the box, gifting the Saddlers another spot-kick. Centre of Excellence product Kieron Morris stepped up to take it, but was denied by Shrews' stopper Callum Burton.
Shortly after Walsall extended their lead via the heavily-involved Kieron Morris, the winger making up for his penalty miss, by slotting home from outside the area, Burton with little chance of stopping that one.
As half-time approached, Saddlers' stopper Craig MacGillivray kept out a deflected effort, before denying Ashley Vincent's low drive.
HALF TIME WALSALL RESERVES 2 SHREWSBURY TOWN RESERVES 0
Walsall got the second half underway, and began the half well, with Jordan Murphy going wide, and Rico Henry stinging the 'keepers hands.
Just after the hour mark Walsall made a double change, with Luke Delaney and Jordan Murphy being replaced by Lewis Probert and the high-scoring Romario Reid, as the Saddlers looked to secure the victory.
Just as the Shrews had a few opportunities in-front of goal, Walsall extended their lead through midfielder Reece Flanagan, the flame-haired Centre of Excellence product slamming home after seventy-six minutes.
Soon after Reece Flanagan went close once again, whilst substitute Romario Reid was forced off with an injury as the game entered its final stages.
Shrewsbury had little in the way of resistance as the Saddlers secured victory, and as a result, moved up to second in the table.
RESULT WALSALL RESERVES 3 SHREWSBURY TOWN RESERVES 0 As half-time approached, Saddlers' stopper Craig MacGillivray kept out a deflected effort, before denying Ashley Vincent's low drive.
HALF TIME WALSALL RESERVES 2 SHREWSBURY TOWN RESERVES 0
Walsall got the second half underway, and began the half well, with Jordan Murphy going wide, and Rico Henry stinging the 'keepers hands.
Just after the hour mark Walsall made a double change, with Luke Delaney and Jordan Murphy being replaced by Lewis Probert and the high-scoring Romario Reid, as the Saddlers looked to secure the victory.
Just as the Shrews had a few opportunities in-front of goal, Walsall extended their lead through midfielder Reece Flanagan, the flame-haired Centre of Excellence product slamming home after seventy-six minutes.
Soon after Reece Flanagan went close once again, whilst substitute Romario Reid was forced off with an injury as the game entered its final stages.
Shrewsbury had little in the way of resistance as the Saddlers secured victory, and as a result, moved up to second in the table.
GOALS Clifford PEN (8'), Morris (24'), Flanagan (76')
WALSALL XI Craig MacGillivray; Liam Kinsella, Rico Henry, Kyle Rowley, Matt Preston, Reece Flanagan, Luke Delaney, Billy Clifford, Jordan Murphy, Levi Rowley, Kieron Morris
SUBSTITUTES Liam Roberts; Tevin Shakespeare, Romario Reid, Lewis Probert
SHREWSBURY TOWN SQUAD Callum Burton; Cameron Gayle, Ben Burton, Callum Grogan, Mark Ellis, Anthony Griffith, James Caton, Aaron Wildig, Scott Vernon, Jordan Clark, Ashley Vincent, Ryan Hickman, Alex Ashton, Alex Fletcher, Josh Ginnelly, Kaiman Anderson