Walsall Under-18s returned to action on Saturday afternoon as they played host to Salford City Under-18s in their second EFL Youth Alliance outing of the season.
Heading into the match on the back of a 2-0 defeat to Accrington Stanley, Miguel Llera's side have failed to win any of their opening three Alliance outings, and faced a difficult afternoon as they welcomed table-topping, and undefeated, Salford City to Ray Hall Lane.
WALSALL TEAM
Tommy Jackson; Dan Baldwin, Josh Simcox, Noel Angafor, Rio Sawyers, Jack Shaw, Ronan Maher, Callum Derry, Marvellous Onabirekhanlen, Arjun Toor, Malik-Abdul Lawal-Olumetbon
Substitutes: Antonio Cristofaro, George Barrett, Tom Cox, William Uchenna, Javan Artwell
Substitutes: Antonio Cristofaro, George Barrett, Tom Cox, William Uchenna, Javan Artwell
The visitors started the game well and, after breaking into the Walsall box, saw a penalty claim ignored despite Harvey Walsh being felled in the box. Thankfully for the Saddlers, the young Ammies' shouts for a spot-kick were ignored as the game continued.
It wasn't all Salford however as Marvellous Onabirekhanlen was denied a clean strike on goal as the City defence, which had seen a determined Callum Derry win the ball just outside the area, were able to recover the ball and clear the danger.
With twenty-six minutes in the clock, the visitors had the ball in the back of the net as goalkeeper Tommy Jackson was beaten, but play was ultimately pulled back as the assistant's flag was raised for an earlier offside.
The Saddlers had a minor opportunity to open the scoring during the latter stages of the first-half as Callum Derry and Arjun Toor combined before the City 'keeper was able to gather the ball before a shot could be made.
The scores remained ties at the break. An encouraging spell of football for the young Saddlers as they and their in-form opponents were all-square.
HT
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WFC
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0-0
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SCFC
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The visitors resumed their search for the game's opening goal during the second forty-five, with Djavan Pedro and Harvey Walsh looking to break into the box. Their efforts were thwarted by defender Malik-Abdul Lawal-Olumegbon, who was in fine form.
The visitors almost opened the scoring a few minutes after the game had reached the hour point as Finn Bartram was able to get the better of Saddlers captain Josh Simcox as he broke into the box before Tommy Jackson made a fine save to keep his sheet clean.
The Saddlers' resistance was finally broken with twenty-three minutes of the game remaining as Salford opened the scoring via a well-directed corner as Sam Carr headed home, catching Jackson out as his side fell behind.
Carr went close to doubling both his and his team's tally with ten minutes remaining, but was unable to make the most of his opportunity as the clock continued to tick away.
Unfortunately for the Saddlers, the visitors were able to grab a second goal during the dying stages of the game, as Djavan Pedro unleashed a stunning strike to double the Ammies' lead.
There were no further goals or opportunities of note as Salford secured their fourth win of the Alliance campaign. Walsall, however, continued their poor start as they once again failed to secure a point.
FT
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WFC
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0-2
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SCFC
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Carr Pedro
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AT
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Ray Hall Lane
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