Earlier today, Walsall Football Club made the trip to Silkmore Lane to take on Brocton in the Semi Final of this season's Walsall Senior Cup competition, a tournament that the Saddlers have never won.
After an M6 related delay, the game got underway a little after 7:45pm. The Saddlers had the first sight of goal as a free kick was awarded just outside the area.
The Brocton keeper was soon called into action following a nice one-two involving a good run from Rico Henry, he was alert and came out to collect the ball.
Brocton were awarded a free kick of their own a little later, Fife was brought down on the edge of the Walsall area. Berks' initial free kick hit the wall, and he fired the rebound straight at MacGillivray.
Later, Brocton's Berks had another sight on goal but could only fire over the bar with the defence scrambling.
The game was a largely competitive affair, with both sides keen to get the ball forward.
At around mid-way through the opening half Walsall midfielder Jake Heath, who is currently enjoying a loan spell with Rushall Olympic, sent a shot wide of Barrett's goal.
Brocton remained alert and continued to keep the Saddlers in-check, Dan Lomas tracking his men well.
Mal Benning and Rico Henry combined well down the wing, Henry's initial cross was cleared before Reece Flanagan sent a shot over the bar.
Amadou Bakayoko broke free from his marker and ran through on goal, but was adjudged to have been offside during the build-up.
At the other end Saddlers 'keeper Craig MacGillivray was off his line as Brocton's Fife, following a good pass from Evans, sent a volley goal-wards, luckily for the Walsall man the ball went just wide of his goal.
Jake Heath then had a shot saved as Brocton again went on the counter attack, Rico Henry was alert to stop Fife as he threatened to make a breakthrough.
As half-time edged ever-closer, Walsall continued to enjoy the lion-share of the ball, but Brocton created more openings.
Fife and Morris combined well down the flank, before Fife had a shot saved.
Soon after, Walsall were awarded a free kick as Dockerty fouled an advancing Rico Henry. Reece Flanagan took the kick and rattled the home side's crossbar.
Almost instantly Flanagan had another shot saved as the referee blew for the interval.
HT: BROCTON 0 WALSALL 0
As the second-half began the attendance was given as 132, or 133 depending who you listen to. The home side made the first change of the game, the manager looking to widen their midfield influence.
Walsall had the first shot of the half as Barrett was alert to the danger and saved well.
Walsall were soon in on goal again, Dockerty's attempted header back to the 'keeper falls short, an alert Jordan Murphy sends the ball over him only for Barrett to recover and get the ball away.
Not long after, Murphy nearly benefited from another defensive error, Evans and Booth combine to allow Murphy in, although he could only send the ball wide of goal.
Another change from the home side could not prevent Walsall from opening the scoring, some good play down the right allowed Jake Heath, who recently scored a hat-trick for Rushall, some freedom in the middle as he struck past Barrett from distance.
Ahead of the goal Dan Lomas had a curling effort saved well by MacGillivray, the Badgers unlucky not to have taken the lead themselves.
Fife, who was soon to be replaced, and McMahon combined well to force another save from MacGillivray as they looked to get back on level terms.
Berks soon saw a shot go well wide of goal, his first-time effort not troubling the 'keeper.
Brocton continued to impress, as Evans did well to beat his man and burst into the Walsall box, he elected to shoot when a cross would've been the better move, he is stopped and the chance goes begging.
Walsall had a goal chalked off for offside as the Saddlers thought they'd eased their way into the final.
The Saddlers kept up the pressure, and sent another shot in, this effort going just over the bar.
Rico Henry won a free kick for the Saddlers as Rudd struggled to keep up with his pace and was forced to 'take one for the team'.
Flame-haired Reece Flanagan took the kick and sent a superb effort past a helpless Barrett, a wonderful way to double the Saddlers' lead.
Amadou Bakayoko was replaced by Tevin Shakespeare as the Saddlers looked for fresh legs, and Tevin sought another goal in what has been a fine season for the young front-man.
Soon after, Barrett saved well from a strong Walsall attack, Brocton's Dockerty was also called into action, the defender clearing off the line as Walsall looked to extend their lead.
At the other end of the pitch, Ablewhite, who received a good ball from Wilson, sent his effort over the bar at the far post.
Craig MacGillivray was again called into action as Saddlers fan Dan Lomas had a volleyed effort saved.
Walsall had the first shot of the half as Barrett was alert to the danger and saved well.
Walsall were soon in on goal again, Dockerty's attempted header back to the 'keeper falls short, an alert Jordan Murphy sends the ball over him only for Barrett to recover and get the ball away.
Not long after, Murphy nearly benefited from another defensive error, Evans and Booth combine to allow Murphy in, although he could only send the ball wide of goal.
Another change from the home side could not prevent Walsall from opening the scoring, some good play down the right allowed Jake Heath, who recently scored a hat-trick for Rushall, some freedom in the middle as he struck past Barrett from distance.
Ahead of the goal Dan Lomas had a curling effort saved well by MacGillivray, the Badgers unlucky not to have taken the lead themselves.
Fife, who was soon to be replaced, and McMahon combined well to force another save from MacGillivray as they looked to get back on level terms.
Berks soon saw a shot go well wide of goal, his first-time effort not troubling the 'keeper.
Brocton continued to impress, as Evans did well to beat his man and burst into the Walsall box, he elected to shoot when a cross would've been the better move, he is stopped and the chance goes begging.
Walsall had a goal chalked off for offside as the Saddlers thought they'd eased their way into the final.
The Saddlers kept up the pressure, and sent another shot in, this effort going just over the bar.
Rico Henry won a free kick for the Saddlers as Rudd struggled to keep up with his pace and was forced to 'take one for the team'.
Flame-haired Reece Flanagan took the kick and sent a superb effort past a helpless Barrett, a wonderful way to double the Saddlers' lead.
Amadou Bakayoko was replaced by Tevin Shakespeare as the Saddlers looked for fresh legs, and Tevin sought another goal in what has been a fine season for the young front-man.
Soon after, Barrett saved well from a strong Walsall attack, Brocton's Dockerty was also called into action, the defender clearing off the line as Walsall looked to extend their lead.
At the other end of the pitch, Ablewhite, who received a good ball from Wilson, sent his effort over the bar at the far post.
Craig MacGillivray was again called into action as Saddlers fan Dan Lomas had a volleyed effort saved.
As the clock ticked down, first-teamer Rico Henry was replaced by Luke Delaney.
The Badgers got themselves back into the game as Paul McMahon sent in a great shot from distance, it beats MacGillivray and nestled in the top corner, superb strike.
With time running out McMahon was crowded out by the Saddlers defence, the Reds securing safe passage to the final, which is to be played at Banks's Stadium against Chasetown, later this month.
FT: BROCTON 1 WALSALL 2
GOALS: Paul McMAHON -- Jake HEATH, Reece FLANAGAN,
ATT: 132(ish)