Walsall Under-18s returned to action on Saturday afternoon as they played host to Carlisle United in their opening EFL Youth Alliance - North West outing of the season.
The young Saddlers opened their Alliance campaign with a disappointing three-nil defeat the the Birmingham County FA's headquarters in Great Barr.
Kicking off at midday, the Saddlers simply didn't get out of the blocks as the travelling Cumbrians, who began their journey to Ray Hall Lane at 6am, bagged three goals without reply to take the well-deserved win.
First-half goals from Nic Bollado and Kai Nugent were added to by Mason Hardy in the second half as United out-worked their opponents with a tremendous opening day display.
FULL-TIME
| WALSALL | 0-3 | CARLISLE UNITED |
| BOLLADO NUGENT HARDY |
|
| AT | RAY HALL LANE |