On Saturday afternoon Graham Biggs' Walsall Under 18s side returned to action as they travelled North to take on Carlisle United 18s in the latest EFL Youth Alliance (North West) fixture of the season.
The Saddlers, who sat in second place in the Alliance table ahead of kick-off, were looking to return to winning following their disappointing 3-1 defeat to Burnley last weekend.
Carlisle were second from bottom in the Alliance having won just four of their sixteen games, losing eleven, including last weekend's 4-3 defeat to Bury.
Walsall scraped a narrow win as a Mitchel Candlin hat-trick cancelled out a Jack Egan Brace during a chilly encounter.
Candlin's first two goals came within twelve minutes of kick-off with Carlisle pulling a goal back shortly after.
The Cumbrians could do little to stop the Saddlers as Candlin grabbed his third after the break, with Egan also adding to his tally. The youngsters displayed plenty of solid defending towards the end of the match as their opponents pushed for an equaliser but were able to hold on to take the points.
A fine result for the Saddlers as they continue to fight for the Youth Alliance championship.
Carlisle were second from bottom in the Alliance having won just four of their sixteen games, losing eleven, including last weekend's 4-3 defeat to Bury.
Walsall scraped a narrow win as a Mitchel Candlin hat-trick cancelled out a Jack Egan Brace during a chilly encounter.
Candlin's first two goals came within twelve minutes of kick-off with Carlisle pulling a goal back shortly after.
The Cumbrians could do little to stop the Saddlers as Candlin grabbed his third after the break, with Egan also adding to his tally. The youngsters displayed plenty of solid defending towards the end of the match as their opponents pushed for an equaliser but were able to hold on to take the points.
A fine result for the Saddlers as they continue to fight for the Youth Alliance championship.
EFL YOUTH ALLIANCE (NORTH WEST) | RESULT
CARLISLE UNITED 2 WALSALL 3
GOALS | Egan (2) - Candlin (3)
GOALS | Egan (2) - Candlin (3)