Earlier today, Walsall Football Club's Reserves played host to Port Vale Reserves in the opening Final Third Development League (West) fixture of the season.
Walsall, who named two trialists among their starting XI, opened the scoring after nine minutes as striker Jordan Cook coolly slotted home from the penalty spot, a trip on Liam Kinsella giving the former Sunderland man the opportunity to bag a goal.
Port Vale got back into the game after eleven minutes as former Crewe Alexandra and Yeovil Town forward AJ Leitch-Smith found the top corner of Liam Roberts' goal with a well-placed right-footed shot from inside the box.
The first half continued to be an entertaining affair with both sides having goal-scoring opportunities.
The Valiants grabbed their second goal of the game just past the half-hour mark as Ryan Lloyd gave Roberts no-chance from twenty yards, a superb strike.
FINAL THIRD DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE (West) | HALF TIME
WALSALL RESERVES 1 - 2 PORT VALE RESERVES
Port Vale started the second half strongly and quickly extended their lead as midfielder Chris Birchall scored with a low-drive across goalkeeper Liam Roberts.
The visitors further extended their lead as Birchall slotted home under the 'keeper to make it 4-1 to the Vale Park side.
Vale continued to dominate the second half, and went close to adding another goal just past the hour mark, as midfield man Colin Daniel rattled the bar following a fierce drive.
With thirteen minutes of normal time remaining, Walsall midfielder Jordon Sangha grabbed the Saddlers' second goal of the game with a low left-footed strike from outside the Vale area, a nice finish from the young prospect.
As the clock ticked down, Walsall goalscorers Jordon Sangha and Jordan Cook both saw efforts blocked, with the Vailiants beginning to sit further back.
Upon the 88th minute mark James Baxendale broke down the wing and fed Jordan Cook down the left, the forward could only send the ball over the bar as the angle closed.
The Saddlers further closed the gap just before full time as the heavily involved Jordan Cook, who was found in space by Jordan Murphy, skipped past his marker and sent the ball under the 'keeper.
FINAL THIRD DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE (West) | RESULT
WALSALL RESERVES 3 - 4 PORT VALE RESERVES