Walsall arrived at the match on the back of last week's win over Shrewsbury Town, midfielder Liam Kinsella netting the only goal of the game as the Saddlers earned their first win of pre-season.
Managed by player/ coach Mat Sadler, Tuesday's Saddlers line-up consisted of A.Trialist, Joe Foulkes, Tom Leak, Joe Perry, Jack Lynch, B.Trialist, C.Trialist, Sam Perry, Jayden Campbell, Joe Willis and D.Trialist as first-team manager Darrell Clarke and Head of Youth Miguel Llera consider their options ahead of the 2020/21 campaign.
Meanwhile, Brakes manager Paul Holleran's team consisted of Jake Weaver, Junior English, Jack Lane, Joe Clarke, Kyle Morrison, Josh Martin, Kieran Dunbar, Dan Meredith, Jack Edwards, Joe Parker and Danny Waldron along with substitutes Lance Smith, Kaiman Anderson, Simeon Maye, Josh Allen and A.Trialist.
The Saddlers started the game well and forced former Birmingham City goalkeeper Jake Weaver into a couple of saves, via well-travelled midfielder B.Trialist, within the opening quarter of an hour at a windy Community Stadium.
The Saddlers were eventually rewarded for their early pressure as they took the lead via a Joe Willis tap in after Weaver had saved an initial shot, his parry falling into the path of an attacker, who happily slotted the ball into the back of the net.
The Saddlers continued their strong spell and soon forced the 'keeper into another save as Weaver tipped the ball on to the bar before a wayward attacking header resulted in a Brakes free-kick.
Leamington were not without attacking openings of their own and soon forced the Walsall backline into action as Dan Meredith saw a low drive blocked before it could trouble the Saddlers stopper.
The home side's newfound pressure soon paid dividends as they levelled the scores a few minutes before the break as the on-trial Walsall goalkeeper collided with one of his own defenders before carrying the ball over the goal-line, a disaster for the man between the sticks.
Meanwhile, Brakes manager Paul Holleran's team consisted of Jake Weaver, Junior English, Jack Lane, Joe Clarke, Kyle Morrison, Josh Martin, Kieran Dunbar, Dan Meredith, Jack Edwards, Joe Parker and Danny Waldron along with substitutes Lance Smith, Kaiman Anderson, Simeon Maye, Josh Allen and A.Trialist.
The Saddlers started the game well and forced former Birmingham City goalkeeper Jake Weaver into a couple of saves, via well-travelled midfielder B.Trialist, within the opening quarter of an hour at a windy Community Stadium.
The Saddlers were eventually rewarded for their early pressure as they took the lead via a Joe Willis tap in after Weaver had saved an initial shot, his parry falling into the path of an attacker, who happily slotted the ball into the back of the net.
The Saddlers continued their strong spell and soon forced the 'keeper into another save as Weaver tipped the ball on to the bar before a wayward attacking header resulted in a Brakes free-kick.
Leamington were not without attacking openings of their own and soon forced the Walsall backline into action as Dan Meredith saw a low drive blocked before it could trouble the Saddlers stopper.
The home side's newfound pressure soon paid dividends as they levelled the scores a few minutes before the break as the on-trial Walsall goalkeeper collided with one of his own defenders before carrying the ball over the goal-line, a disaster for the man between the sticks.
BRAKES
|
1 - 1
|
WALSALL
|
Leamington started the second-half well and forced the Walsall goalkeeper into action as Kyle Morrison was on hand to meet a corner kick, forcing the stopper into a save. Good early pressure from the Brakes.
Dan Meredith was the next Brakes man to have an effort on goal as he kept the Walsall 'keeper honest with a stinging effort from range. Manager Holleran looked to have got his team ticking during the break.
The home side's strong restart continued in style as former Rushall Olympic striker Danny Waldron unleashed a superb scissors-kick to send the ball past the man in the Walsall goal to put his side into the lead.
Goalscorer Waldron was soon back in the attack and looked to add an assist to his scorecard as he displayed some neat footwork before sending a whipped cross in the direction of Junior English, who could only crash a volley wide of goal.
Leamington's solid second-half showed no signs of abating as they went on to extend their lead via Dan Meredith as Kaiman Anderson unleashed a trialist down the wing before the unnamed prospect squared the ball to Meredith, who happily slotted home.
As is often the case during pre-season encounters, the second-half saw several changes, both in terms of personnel and formation, from the two sides as options were explored ahead of the new campaign.
Overall a disappointing final score for the young Saddlers and manager Mat Sadler but some much-needed match minutes under their belts as Walsall continue to build fitness ahead of the season-opening Carabao Cup clash with Sheffield Wednesday.
BRAKES
|
3 - 1
|
WALSALL
|
A.Trialist (OG)
Waldron Meredith |
Willis
|