Walsall welcomed Birmingham City to the Poundland Bescot Stadium on Saturday afternoon as they faced-off in a pre-season friendly ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.Birmingham started the game on top but it was the Saddlers who created he first opening of the game as Josh Gordon fired in a ball across the box where Charlie Lakin forced goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell into a double save, the former Burnley man retaining his clean sheet in the early stages of the contest.
The second chance of the game also went Walsall's way as Taylor Allen sent the ball across to the back post where Jamie Jellis crashed a first-time effort past the post - Jellis looking to add to his two goals in three pre-season games so far.
The match was competitive though hardy dripping in goal-scoring opportunities as the two teams looked to build from the back and move the ball around.
The Blues' first real opening saw Ethan Laird get on the end of a Jordan James cross and head the ball wide of goal - Tommy SImkin's clean sheet remained intact at the midway point in the first-half.
There was an injury scare for the Saddlers within fifteen minutes of the break as Ronan Maher required some treatment from the club's medical team, but the prospect was ultimately able to continue.
There was almost a goal late in the half as a poor header from Saddlers summer signing Connor Barrett saw Alfie May get in on goal, the recent arrival attempted to lob Simkin but Oisin McEntee was alert to the danger and cleared the ball off the line.
Walsall broke up the other end and saw the ball go just wide of the Blues goal as Barrett was unable to control the effort with the half ending goalless.
The first opening of the half went to the visitors as Sikiri Dembele did well to break the lines before taking the ball around Simkin before crashing an effort off the post with the goal gaping.
Walsall continued their search for the opening goal of the game and went close on a couple of occasions as Jellis forced Peacock-Farrell into a smart save before Ryan Stirk looked to capitalise upon the loose ball, only for the 'keeper to come out on top once again.
Birmingham began to pile on the pressure as, after Willum Willumsson broke down the right wing, the ball was pulled back for Jordan James, but his effort drifted well wide of the Walsall goal.
Sadly for the Saddlers, the Blues' pressure continued, ultimately leading to the opening goal of the game as James' cross was fired home by May, a little harsh on the Saddlers who had done well to not only thwart the visitors but create opportunities of their own.
City almost doubled their lead a few minutes later as May, who was afforded far too much space in an attacking position, saw a curling effort strike the post and rebound away from danger.
Walsall opted to make a trio of changes later in the half as Priestley Farquharson, Evan Weir and A.Trialist replaced Oisin McEntee, Liam Gordon, and Josh Gordon.
The Saddlers' trialist almost gave Mat Sadler something to ponder as he got the better of his marker before sending a cross to the back post where fellow substitute Weir saw a header go wide of the mark.
The next goal-scoring opportunity fell to the visitors as following a well-worked break down the Walsall left, Koji Miyoshi could only direct an effort wide of goal.
With time running out the Saddlers made another couple of changes with Charlie Lakin and Ronan Maher replaced by Charlie Wragg and Dylan Thomas.
There were no further goals as the Saddlers slipped to a narrow 1-0 defeat.
| MAY (59') | |
| AT | POUNDLAND BESCOT STADIUM |