Earlier this afternoon, Jon Whitney's Walsall travelled to the Automated Technology Group Stadium to take on Solihull Moors in the latest pre-season clash ahead of the 2016/17 campaign.
The first goal-scoring opportunity of the game fell to the Saddlers, as former Peterborough United midfielder Erhun Oztumer reacted quickly to cut-out a loose pass, but could only send an effort wide of Nathan Vaughan's goal.
Walsall would go-on to take the lead soon after as Flo Cuvelier sent a sweet through-ball into the path of the energetic Oztumer, who cooly slotted home.
The Saddlers would soon be handed a second goal, Moors goalkeeper Vaughan charged out and felled striker Amadou Bakayoko inside the penalty area, the Sierra Leone-born striker would step-up and send the subsequently awarded penalty into the top corner.
The Saddlers continued to be the better of the two sides, passing the ball around well and looking to create space for attacking moves.
With seventeen minutes on the clock, Oztumer looked to add to his earlier goal but failed to test the 'keeper as his twenty-yard strike flew past the post, a bright start for the Saddlers' new number 10.
Amadou Bakayoko also had a chance to add to his goal as Flo Cuvelier delivered a low cross, but Baka couldn't capitalise as his effort was blocked by the Moors' defence.
Walsall further-extended their lead just after the mid-way point in the half as Cuvelier, Oztumer and Bakayoko combined to allow Erhun to slot home from close range. Some early signs of a rapport between the Saddlers side as Solihull heads begin to drop.
Not long after the Saddlers had bagged their third goal they went in search of a fourth as Cuvelier found space and sent in a low cross, sadly his ball evaded the onrushing Bakayoko as he couldn't quite stretch to control the ball.
Jon Whitney's men continued to be the better side, and, with just over ten-minutes of the half remaining, Bakayoko saw a powerful effort saved by Vaughan at his near-post. The resulting flag-kick was poor and came to nothing.
Walsall grabbed their fourth goal after thirty-seven minutes as Flo Cuvelier, who was found in space by Oztumer, powered into the box and slammed the ball home, the Moors' defence often unable to cope with the Saddlers' movement in the final third.
The final chance ofthe half saw Bakayoko send a dipping effort just wide of goal, a deserved lead at the break, with the Saddlers expected to make several half-time changes.
Walsall would go-on to take the lead soon after as Flo Cuvelier sent a sweet through-ball into the path of the energetic Oztumer, who cooly slotted home.
The Saddlers would soon be handed a second goal, Moors goalkeeper Vaughan charged out and felled striker Amadou Bakayoko inside the penalty area, the Sierra Leone-born striker would step-up and send the subsequently awarded penalty into the top corner.
The Saddlers continued to be the better of the two sides, passing the ball around well and looking to create space for attacking moves.
With seventeen minutes on the clock, Oztumer looked to add to his earlier goal but failed to test the 'keeper as his twenty-yard strike flew past the post, a bright start for the Saddlers' new number 10.
Amadou Bakayoko also had a chance to add to his goal as Flo Cuvelier delivered a low cross, but Baka couldn't capitalise as his effort was blocked by the Moors' defence.
Walsall further-extended their lead just after the mid-way point in the half as Cuvelier, Oztumer and Bakayoko combined to allow Erhun to slot home from close range. Some early signs of a rapport between the Saddlers side as Solihull heads begin to drop.
Not long after the Saddlers had bagged their third goal they went in search of a fourth as Cuvelier found space and sent in a low cross, sadly his ball evaded the onrushing Bakayoko as he couldn't quite stretch to control the ball.
Jon Whitney's men continued to be the better side, and, with just over ten-minutes of the half remaining, Bakayoko saw a powerful effort saved by Vaughan at his near-post. The resulting flag-kick was poor and came to nothing.
Walsall grabbed their fourth goal after thirty-seven minutes as Flo Cuvelier, who was found in space by Oztumer, powered into the box and slammed the ball home, the Moors' defence often unable to cope with the Saddlers' movement in the final third.
The final chance ofthe half saw Bakayoko send a dipping effort just wide of goal, a deserved lead at the break, with the Saddlers expected to make several half-time changes.
PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY | HALF-TIME SCORE
SOLIHULL MOORS 0 WALSALL 4
With only George Dobson and Amadou Bakayoko continuing in the match the Saddlers' re-jigged XI took to the field for the second-half.
The first real goal-scoring opportunity of the period came with with fifty-two minutes on the clock and fell to youngster Will Shorrock, he cut-in from the left but could only fire wide of the target as the Saddlers' lead wasn't extended.
Kieron Morris tested the 'keeper just after the hour mark as he saw a powerful effort saved. The Saddlers in control, but unable to add to their already substantial lead.
Youngster Cameron Peters soon took to the field as he replaced West Ham United midfielder George Dobson, the tenth change for the men in red (and black).
Solihull went close to cutting the deficit as former Birmingham City and Kidderminster Harriers striker Akwasi Asante found space and saw an effort deflected wide of MacGillivray's goal.
One of the Moors' trialists was the next to shoot at goal, but his effort was poor and ultimately drifted well wide of the target.
Solihull's Asante was involved again soon after as he failed to make the most of a nice cross from the wing.
With less than ten minutes of the game remaining Walsall were handed another opportunity as Jordon Sangha's effort was handled inside the area, referee Ollie Yates awarded another penalty which Bakayoko gladly slotted home.
A confidence building result as the Saddlers move on to face Birmingham City at the Banks's Stadium on Tuesday evening.
A confidence building result as the Saddlers move on to face Birmingham City at the Banks's Stadium on Tuesday evening.
PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY | FULL-TIME RESULT
SOLIHULL MOORS 0 WALSALL 5
GOALS | Oztumer 5' & 23', Bakayoko PEN 8' & PEN 83', Cuvelier 37'REFEREE | Mr. Ollie Yates (Staffordshire)