Earlier today, Walsall Football Club travelled to Ashton Gate to take on Bristol City in the final game of the Sky Bet League 1 campaign. We were in attendance and you can read our match report below.
It was Walsall that got the game underway, and did well to win an early corner, some good play from Purkiss to create the opening.
The Saddlers' flag-kick was easily cleared and City launched a counter, but 'keeper MacGillivray was alert to the danger and gathered on the edge of his area.
City looked fairly sloppy in attack early on with Tavernier and Pack sending in some poor forward passes, front-man Emmanuel-Thomas being covered by the Walsall backline.
Soon after, Mal Benning was alert to clear a dangerous Emmanuel-Thomas pass with Tavernier in a dangerous position.
The Saddlers sought to get the ball forward but Bradshaw couldn't get on the end of a pacy midfield ball as a goal kick was awarded.
Walsall enjoyed another brief spell on the ball with a good team passing move breaking down as City cleared.
After twelve minutes Walsall opened the scoring, a great counter attack started by Purkiss and Mantom, who drove at his marker, found Hiwula who sent a side-footed effort past the 'keeper.
Emmanuel-Thomas continued to be a danger as Ben Purkiss cleared for a corner. City worked the flag kick via Freeman and Pack to defender Aiden Flint who slammed home from twelve yards, a great goal for the high-scoring centre-half.
Later, Walsall were awarded a free kick which Cain took, Purkiss was the target but he could only hit the first man who helped City to partially clear.
The ball was regained by Walsall and played towards Bradshaw who forced a corner with Hiwula marked out by his man. City would clear the corner as Walsall failed to take advantage.
Back up the other end City were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Walsall area, a poor Purkiss pass forcing the foul.
Freeman took the kick and played it in a little deep, Emmanuel-Thomas recovered the ball and found Williams, his over-head ball in was 'saved' by Kieron Morris, giving the home side a penalty.
The ever-present Emmanuel-Thomas took the kick and beat an unlucky MacGillivray to give his side the lead.
Following the goal Walsall had a brief spell in defence, but did manage to break up the field, winger Kieron Morris having a shot from distance saved by Fielding, a probing effort from the Hereford born 20-year-old.
Adam Chambers had an adventurous effort deflect off Tom Bradshaw and go wide of goal, not much danger in the shot.
City's former Everton attacker Kieran Agard also sent an effort towards goal, his shot going over the bar with MacGillivray content to stand on the spot.
With around ten minutes of the half remaining Walsall began to probe their opponents, Jordy Hiwula proving a danger down the left, he and Benning looked to combine but were thwarted by an alert back-line.
The Saddlers got back on level terms as Hiwula, who broke into the box, and sent a shot through Ayling's legs to beat an unsighted Frank Fielding,
With three minutes of the half remaining, Sam Mantom broke from deep to send a shot in on goal, Aiden Flint blocked the effort to give the Saddlers a corner.
The flag kick was worked in, and eventually fell to Kieron Morris who twisted and turned, creating space on the edge of the area before sending a shot a yard wide of goal.
Kieron Morris was involved in the action soon after, he drove at his man to send in a cross, Flint defended well as Bradshaw looked to attack the cross.
With two minutes of added time announced Walsall were awarded a free kick on the edge of their area, the ball was cleared up field by immediately played back in.
Luck was on the Saddlers side as Agard slipped when in attack and allowed the ball to be cleared, the first-half was soon brought to an end as referee Tierney blew for the break.
HT: BRISTOL CITY 2 WALSALL 2
The hosts kicked off the second half and immediately looked to attack, good endeavour from Freeman found Williams, who had a shot blocked and cleared.
Soon after Kieran Agard, who was found by Tavernier, forced a save from MacGillivray. Alert stuff from the young stopper.
The Saddlers broke down the other end but saw their attack quelled by a well-drilled defensive unit.
Jay Emmannuel-Thomas was the next to send in a shot, this effort was straight at the 'keeper, who easily gathered and cleared.
Walsall went on to enjoy a good spell on the ball, the nice move was broken down by a loose pass, the City counter was also broken as MacGillivray gathered.
With around ten minutes of the half gone, Walsall won the first corner of the half following a good attacking move.
Cain's flag-kick was easily cleared and allowed City to break, Pack and Emmanuel-Thomas both had shots blacked which allowed Walsall to break, Jordy Hiwula sending a shot past the near post with the defence scrambling.
Walsall won another corner soon after. Kieron Morris was the man to send the ball in, but City again cleared and launched another counter.
Korey Smith attacked his man and fed the ball to Kieran Agard, who cooly slotted home with an angled effort.
Walsall looked to get back into the game and won a series of corners, but City, as they'd shown earlier in the half, were well-drilled and cleared the danger.
City extended their lead just after the hour mark, Emmanuel-Thomas beat Mal Benning down the wing, his dangerous pass found Marlon Pack who sent a great shot past a help-less MacGillivray.
The hosts further extended their lead immediately after, the heavily-involved Emmanuel-Thomas was fed in by Joe Bryan, he went on to beat James Chambers with ease and fire home, a well-worked effort from the midfield man.
As City continued to be a threat, the Saddlers gave away another corner, the ball was played in and eventually fell to Flint, the defender volleying home to make it six for the hosts.
Soon after the goal Walsall made a triple change with Andy Taylor, Romaine Sawyers and Paul Downing replacing Mal Benning, Michael Cain and Ben Purkiss,
Soon after, City made their first change with Emmanuel-Thomas being replaced by Burns.
Adam Chambers became the first person to pick up a booking, a poor challenge on Kory Smith was rightfully penalised.
The City free kick was played in and partially cleared, the hosts retained the ball and won another corner following a deflected cross.
Freeman took the kick, which was again cleared, the hosts regained the ball and continued to be a danger, the Saddlers were saved by an offside decision as City smelt blood.
The game became somewhat fragmented with City content to sit back, and the Saddlers unable to break through.
Romaine Sawyers had a shot saved as Scott Wagstaff was brought on by the hosts, Tavernier the man to be replaced.
Left-back Andy Taylor was the next to send in a shot on goal, his right-footed effort was easily gathered by Fielding, no real danger to the shot.
With seven minutes of the game remaining City sought to slow the game down again, as Wade Elliot replaced Luke Freeman, a good game from the former Arsenal prospect.
Another nice build up from City resulted in a corner as Wagstaff's effort was saved well by MacGillivray.
The corner was worked into the box by City and fired home by defender Aiden Flint, who grabbed a well-deserved hat-trick, a truly poor showing from the well-beaten Saddlers.
With time running out, and injury time being played City grabbed their eighth of the game, Smith finding Agard, who slotted home from ten yards.
FT: BRISTOL CITY 8 WALSALL 2
GOALS: Flint 16', 67', 86', Emmanuel-Thomas (P) 22', 63', Agard 57', 90+1, Pack 62' -- Hiwula 13', 36'
ATT: 11,960