A Walsall XI made the trip to Burton Albion's Pirelli Stadium on Tuesday evening as they and newly-promoted National League North outfit Rushall Olympic faced off in the final of the 2022/23 Walsall Senior Cup.After twice being reinstated into the competition, Walsall secured their place in the Final by defeating Heath Hayes last week, whilst The Pics got the better of Boldmere St, Michaels in their Semi-Final way back in March.
Walsall started the game well with second-year scholar Marvellous Onabirekhanlen sending a dangerous cross into the box, though none of his colleagues were able to get on the end of his effort.
The first goal of the game went the way of Rushall Olympic as Andre Carvalho-Landell capped off a superb team attack, which saw the Pics midfield combine to find Carvalho-Landell in space before he slammed the ball into the back of George Barrett's net.
Rushall went on to double their lead as Alex Cameron took advantage of a loose ball to put the ball over the line, the Pics threatening to put the game to bed before the contest had reached the half-way point.
Thankfully for the Saddlers, they were able to halve the deficit as Ronan Maher continued his superb individual season by jinking around the onrushing 'keeper before slipping the ball home.
Rushall almost immediately reestablished their two goals lead as Cameron saw an effort cannon off the post but not before he sent the ball through Barrett's legs.
Walsall weren't far from levelling the scores just a few minutes before the break as Ronan Maher's free-kick was net by Ollie Jones, with the defender's header taking a deflection before going wide of goal.
The first opening of the second forty-five went the way of Rushall as former Wolverhampton Wanderers man Sam Whittall saw a header crash off the post before the Walsall backline eventually scrambled the ball clear.
Walsall went on to make the first change of the game as imposing defender Tom Cox was forced off through injury, with Cayden Bennett.
The Saddlers managed to avoid falling two goals behind as George Barrett did well to deny Cameron, the stopper getting down to a low effort to keep the score at 2-1 to the Pics.
Ronan Maher looked to get the Saddlers back on level terms moments later as he created space on the edge of the Rushall area before sending a powerful, though slightly deflected effort, past the post.
Sadly for Walsall, they were soon back to two goals behind as Richard Batchelor sent a header over the line following a high, looping cross which the Saddlers failed to cope with.
Rushall went on to make a change in the middle of the park as former Saddlers midfielder Sam Mantom replaced Alex Moore, with Walsall soon responding as Charlie Wragg replaced Piers Juliff.
The Pics went close to adding a fourth goal shortly after the teams rang the changes as Kieran Cook, who had replaced goal-scorer Carvalho-Landell in the first-half, sent a powerful effort just wide of Barrett's goal.
Walsall's backline remained under siege as Alex Fletcher became the latest to force Barrett into a save, the scholar pushing the ball wide of goal as his defence continued to afford their opponents far too much room in attack.
There were a couple more changes later in the second half as Linton Chakki and Zak Poskitt made way for Will Uchenna and Jackson Preece for the Saddlers.
The changes did little to thwart the Pics as Barrett was forced into another save with around ten minutes of the game remaining as Cameron looked to add his second and Rushall's fourth.
Thankfully for the Saddlers, Cameron was soon substituted as former Walsall scholar Will Shorrock took to the field as the hoped to help his side get one over on his former employers.
Kieran Cook almost put the game in no doubt as he saw a header cannon off the inside of the post but didn't appear to bounce over the line as Walsall were forced behind the ball with Rushall enjoying several waves of attack.
Rushall added to the growing list of substitutions as Callum Coyle and Reece Mitchell were replaced by Tyrese Hughes and Abdoul Ouro.
Cook continued to trouble the Walsall backline as Barrett was forced into a save with his legs during second-half stoppage time.
There were no further goals as the game ended 3-1 to Rushall, with Liam McDonald's side continuing their super season as they added the Walsall Senior Cup to their recent accolades.
| MAHER (21') |
CARVALHO-LANDELL (12') CAMERON (17') BATCHELOR (63') |
| AT | PIRELLI STADIUM |
| REFEREE | DAVID CRITCHLOW |