On Thursday evening Walsall FC's Under 18s side travelled to the Proact Stadium as they took on Chesterfield Under 18s in the First Round of this season's FA Youth Cup.
The match got away to a slow start, but the young Saddlers, who are currently enjoying a superb spell of form, eventually took the lead with less than five minutes of the first-half remaining as Ethan Freemantle slotted home following a nice display of passing football involving Will Shorrock and Cameron Peters.
Sadly for Walsall, the home side reacted well to their half-time team talk and equalised soon after the break as Charlie Wakefield found space and scored from an acute angle.
The Spireites continued their solid start to the half and went into the lead after nine minutes of play as Owen Darwent crashed the ball home following a corner.
In contrast, the Saddlers' poor second half continued around fourteen minutes later as Joe Rowley slotted home from the penalty spot. The hosts were awarded the spot kick following a Brandon Ganley foul on Ricky German.
There were no more goals in the match as the young Saddlers exited the competition at the First Round stage.
Sadly for Walsall, the home side reacted well to their half-time team talk and equalised soon after the break as Charlie Wakefield found space and scored from an acute angle.
The Spireites continued their solid start to the half and went into the lead after nine minutes of play as Owen Darwent crashed the ball home following a corner.
In contrast, the Saddlers' poor second half continued around fourteen minutes later as Joe Rowley slotted home from the penalty spot. The hosts were awarded the spot kick following a Brandon Ganley foul on Ricky German.
There were no more goals in the match as the young Saddlers exited the competition at the First Round stage.
THE FA YOUTH CUP | FIRST ROUND - RESULT
CHESTERFIELD 3 WALSALL 1
GOALS | Wakefield (46'), Darwent (54'), Rowley PEN (68') - Freemantle (41')