Earlier this evening, a Walsall Football Club XI travelled to the Scholars Ground to take on Chasetown in the Saddlers' penultimate pre-season clash ahead of the 2015/16 Football League campaign. Our match report is below.
The Saddlers, who fielded trialist Zac Thompson among their ranks, started the game well and had a couple of shots on goal via Amadou Bakayoko.
Winger Kieron Morris was also involved in the early action as he looked to create openings for the front-line, plenty of pace on show in the early goings.
At the other end, Walsall's Liam Roberts was in danger of conceding the games' opening goal as Chasetown's Danny Edwards was in-on-goal, luckily, for Walsall, all he could do was poke the ball wide of the mark.
Walsall opened the scoring after around fifteen minutes, Kieron Morris sending the ball past the 'keeper from twenty yards, a powerful strike to the goalkeepers left from the pacey wide-man.
Later, good play between Jordan Murphy and Levi Rowley created space for the latter to have a shot on goal, sadly the ball crept wide with the 'keeper scrambling.
Chasetown looked to get the ball down and attempted to break through with a goal of their own; they did manage a few corners but couldn't make use of them as the Saddlers stood firm.
As the half continued, Liam Roberts was called into action as Chasetown's Simon Brown found space and had a strike from distance, a good save from what was a stinging effort.
Walsall doubled their lead just before the thirty-minute mark, trialist Zac Thompson with a thunderous left-footed strike from distance, a great effort from the free agent, one that is sure to have peaked Dean Smith's interest.
The Saddlers looked comfortable as the half continued. Amadou Bakayoko saw a strong header saved, and Kieron Morris continued to offer pace out-wide.
Morris also saw a shot saved following a good strong run, Jordan Murphy was unable to make use of the rebound as his marker did well to ease him off the ball.
Winger Kieron Morris was also involved in the early action as he looked to create openings for the front-line, plenty of pace on show in the early goings.
At the other end, Walsall's Liam Roberts was in danger of conceding the games' opening goal as Chasetown's Danny Edwards was in-on-goal, luckily, for Walsall, all he could do was poke the ball wide of the mark.
Walsall opened the scoring after around fifteen minutes, Kieron Morris sending the ball past the 'keeper from twenty yards, a powerful strike to the goalkeepers left from the pacey wide-man.
Later, good play between Jordan Murphy and Levi Rowley created space for the latter to have a shot on goal, sadly the ball crept wide with the 'keeper scrambling.
Chasetown looked to get the ball down and attempted to break through with a goal of their own; they did manage a few corners but couldn't make use of them as the Saddlers stood firm.
As the half continued, Liam Roberts was called into action as Chasetown's Simon Brown found space and had a strike from distance, a good save from what was a stinging effort.
Walsall doubled their lead just before the thirty-minute mark, trialist Zac Thompson with a thunderous left-footed strike from distance, a great effort from the free agent, one that is sure to have peaked Dean Smith's interest.
The Saddlers looked comfortable as the half continued. Amadou Bakayoko saw a strong header saved, and Kieron Morris continued to offer pace out-wide.
Morris also saw a shot saved following a good strong run, Jordan Murphy was unable to make use of the rebound as his marker did well to ease him off the ball.
HT: CHASETOWN 0 WALSALL 2
The Saddlers made some changes after the break, youth prospects Nathan Owen and Jamie Smith among those that were were given their chance in the side.
The half was a quieter affair than the first. After fifty minutes trialist Thompson was again involved, a good run in midfield was quelled by the home defence, whilst Jordan Murphy saw a shot saved, goalkeeper Bateman doing well to keep the score at two-nil.
Walsall's Liam Roberts did well to keep his sheet clean as Chasetown's Francino Francis and Nathan Waite looked to open their accounts.
Back at the other end, Walsall's Levi Rowley sent a free kick harmlessly wide of goal, the score remaining two-nil to the Saddlers.
At the hour mark Zac Thompson was replaced by Jordon Sangha, a good showing from the former Leeds United man.
Walsall's third goal came after sixty-four minutes, Nathan Owen cut inside and sent in a great cross, fellow substitute Sangha was on hand to slot home past Bateman.
The Saddlers further extended their lead soon after, Maz Kouyhar slamming home from the right side of the box, no chance for Bateman with that one.
Following some good defensive work from Kyle Rowley, Walsall youngster Korey Roberts was the next to have a shot on goal, he dragged his effort wide as the clock ticked down.
With just over ten-minutes remaining, Liam Roberts was alert to get off his line as Paul Sullivan and Dominic Dell looked to make the breakthrough for the hosts.
With four minutes remaining Saddlers sub Jordon Sangha was unlucky as he finished off a great cross-field ball with a thunderous half-volley that crashed off the Chasetown bar, the home 'keeper was helpless to do anything as the ball flew past him.
The game ended four-nil to the Saddlers, a great work out for the team with some superb play and great goals.
The half was a quieter affair than the first. After fifty minutes trialist Thompson was again involved, a good run in midfield was quelled by the home defence, whilst Jordan Murphy saw a shot saved, goalkeeper Bateman doing well to keep the score at two-nil.
Walsall's Liam Roberts did well to keep his sheet clean as Chasetown's Francino Francis and Nathan Waite looked to open their accounts.
Back at the other end, Walsall's Levi Rowley sent a free kick harmlessly wide of goal, the score remaining two-nil to the Saddlers.
At the hour mark Zac Thompson was replaced by Jordon Sangha, a good showing from the former Leeds United man.
Walsall's third goal came after sixty-four minutes, Nathan Owen cut inside and sent in a great cross, fellow substitute Sangha was on hand to slot home past Bateman.
The Saddlers further extended their lead soon after, Maz Kouyhar slamming home from the right side of the box, no chance for Bateman with that one.
Following some good defensive work from Kyle Rowley, Walsall youngster Korey Roberts was the next to have a shot on goal, he dragged his effort wide as the clock ticked down.
With just over ten-minutes remaining, Liam Roberts was alert to get off his line as Paul Sullivan and Dominic Dell looked to make the breakthrough for the hosts.
With four minutes remaining Saddlers sub Jordon Sangha was unlucky as he finished off a great cross-field ball with a thunderous half-volley that crashed off the Chasetown bar, the home 'keeper was helpless to do anything as the ball flew past him.
The game ended four-nil to the Saddlers, a great work out for the team with some superb play and great goals.
FT: CHASETOWN 0 WALSALL 4
GOALS: Morris, Thompson, Sangha, Kouyhar