Playing host to Oldham Athletic Under-18s, the young Saddlers, who play their home games at the Birmingham County FA's headquarters on Ray Hall Lane in Great Barr, looked to get their 2020/21 league campaign off to a winning start.
Walsall Team
Walker; Foulkes, Lynch, Sharp, Zona, Worley, Campbell, Stephens, Francis, Mukadam, Sarvari
Substitutes: Hedge; Dallywaters, Simcox, Baldwin, Parker
Manager Miguel Llera named a strong line-up with several first-team-challenging prospects looking to make an impression as they faced a traveling Latics side also keen to earn three points.
After earning two wins in their opening two opening Alliance outings, including last weekend's 4-1 away win over Port Vale, the Saddlers started the game well with their first shot coming via Saif Mukadam as he crashed an effort wide of Kacper Danielewcz’s goal.
The Saddlers were soon back on the attack and saw another opening go to waste as Ade Francis failed to make the most of his time on the ball with the 'keeper winning their one-on-one battle. Defender Joe Foulkes with a neat pass to Francis to create the chance.
Walsall continued to push for the game's opening goal and were once again thwarted by some alert defending as Jayden Campbell chipped the 'keeper only to see Latics defender Drew Baker head off the line.
The Saddlers' next opportunity fell to Mukadam as he was found in space by a superb Foulkes ball over the top before sending a shot just over the bar.
At the other end, Latics attacker Joseph Edwards made a dash for Lewis Walker's goal boot could only send an effort wide as the score remained tied.
The action-packed first-half continued with Saddlers creating another promising opening as Campbell linked-up with Romani Stephens with the striker sending an effort just wide of goal. The Latics backline allowing too much space for the Saddlers to work into.
Both sides continued their search for the games opening goal. The Saddlers forcing a series of corners with defender Foulkes going close to opening the scoring twice before Latics prospect Kane Badby sent an effort wide of goal at the other end.
Walsall continued their push for a goal and saw Campbell and Mukadam link-up again before the latter was denied by a group of Oldham defenders who had to take drastic action to keep the scores level with less than five minutes of the first-half remaining.
Despite their best efforts neither team was able to open the scoring in the first-half as they went in level at the break.
TOWN
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HT
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WALSALL
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WALSALL
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0 - 0
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OLDHAM
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Saddlers manager Miguel Llera made a duo of changes at the break as Ade Francis and Samim Sarvari were replaced by Tommy Parker and Ben Dallywaters.
Substitute Parker had an immediate impact upon the game as he broke down the wing before sending an effort past the onrushing 'keeper, via the post, to open the scoring. A great way to start the second-half.
Walsall soon doubled their lead as Foulkes got on the end of a corner to flick the ball into the box where Mukadam saw an effort hit the bar with the ball dropping to Campbell crashed the ball home.
Second goal-scorer Jayden Campbell, who had been booked following a pair of tough challenges, was the next Saddlers substitute as Josh Simcox took to the field. With Alex Worley being replaced by Dan Baldwin a few minutes later.
There were no further goals but the Saddlers did go on to make it three wins from three as they continue their superb start to the season.
TOWN
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FT
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WALSALL
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WALSALL
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2 - 0
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OLDHAM
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Parker Campbell
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VENUE
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Ray Hall Lane
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