Walsall were back in action on Saturday afternoon as they welcomed Stockport County to Poundland Bescot Stadium for their first home game of the 2023/24 campaign.
After losing both of their first two games, an opening day defeat to Morecambe and Carabao Cup loss to Blackburn Rovers, the Saddlers were looking to secure their first victory of the season and thwart visitors Stockport's attempt to secure a first win of their own.
The match started slowly for the Saddlers as they struggled to make much of an impact, whilst their opponents had all of the attacking lay, that was until Danny Johnson netted his second goal of the season with a superb strike which gave the 'keeper no chance.
After enduring more pressure, the Saddlers were once again able to capitalise upon an opening as Aramide Oteh, who had replaced Harry Williams in the second half, scored with a low effort from inside the area following Oisin McEntee's pass.
Stockport were able to halve the deficit late into second-half stoppage time as Ryan Rydel came off the bench to give his side a glimmer of hope, however, the Saddlers held on for all three points.
SKY BET LEAGUE TWO
| WALSALL | 2-1 | STOCKPORT COUNTY |
| JOHNSON (24') OTEH (79') |
GOALSCORERS |
RYDEL (90+7') |
| DRAPER (24') McENTEE (79') |
ASSISTS |
MADDEN (90+7') |
| 33 | POSS (%) | 67 |
| 9 | SHOTS (TOTAL) | 18 |
| 2 | SHOTS (ON TARGET) | 3 |
| 4 | CORNERS | 11 |
| 8 | FOULS | 9 |
| 3 | YELLOW CARDS | 5 |
| 0 | RED CARDS | 0 |
| AT | POUNDLAND BESCOT STADIUM |
| ATTENDANCE | 6,008 (935 AWAY) |
| REFEREE | JACOB MILES |
WALSALL
Evans; Williams (Oteh, 62'), Daniels, Hussey, Foulkes, McEntee, Stirk 🟨 (Riley, 88'), Gordon; Hutchinson 🟨; Draper 🟨, D.Johnson (Matt, 61')
Unused: Ja.Smith; Allen, Tierney, James-Taylor
STOCKPORT COUNTY
Hinchcliffe; Knoyle, Touray, Horsfall 🟨, Southam-Hales 🟨 (Olaofe, 79' 🟨), Madden, Sarcevic (Collar, 46'), Powell (Rydel, 87'), Pye, Barry 🟨, C.Johnson 🟨.
Unused: Jo.Smith; Wright, Byrne, Richardson