Walsall and Heath Hayes were handed another opportunity to make progress in the Walsall Senior Cup on Tuesday evening after Chasetown, who knocked both sides out of the competition, had fielded an ineligible player during their earlier victory over the Hayes.The Saddlers had already been reinstated in the competition as previous topplers Tividale had also fallen foul of the competition's rules, with their subsequent meeting with Chasetown resulting in a narrow win for the scholars.
Welcoming the chance to earn a place alongside the recently-promoted Rushall Olympic in the Final, Walsall named a team mixed with academy prospects, scholars, and first-team fringe players, with the likes of Marvellous Onabirekhanlen lining up alongside Sam Perry.
WALSALL XI
Barrett; Bennett, Owen, Cox, Jones, Perry, Allen, Thomas, Maher, Onabirekhanlen, Juliff
Substitutes: Kilroy; Wilkes, Poskitt, Chakki, Uchenna
The first goal of the game arrived within five minutes of referee Ben Stott's opening whistle and went the way of the Saddlers, as the ever-involved Ronan Maher got on the end of Ollie Jones' well-worked pass before slotting the ball into the back of the net.
Walsall created a few opportunities to add to their narrow lead including a Tom Cox header which drifted past the post following a Saddlers flag kick, and a Sam Perry effort which forced the home 'keeper into a fine save to keep it at 1-0.
As is often the case, the second-half saw a series of substitutions made as both managers looked to find a foothold in the contest and ultimately a place in the Final.
Heath Hayes remained patient and were eventually rewarded for their efforts as, with around twelve minutes of the game remaining, Jay Brown levelled the scores with a header from a well-worked corner ball.
The Saddlers were able to retake the lead with five-minutes of normal time remaining as Ronan Maher netted his second of the game following a well-worked attack involving Will Uchenna and Marvellous Onabirekhanlen.
There were no further goals as Walsall booked their place alongside Rushall Olympic in the final, with the Staffordshire FA set to confirm a date and time in due course.
| BROWN (78') |
MAHER (5') MAHER (85') |
| AT | COPPICE COLLIERY GROUND |
| REFEREE | BEN STOTT |