Walsall welcomed Morecambe to the Poundland Bescot Stadium on Saturday afternoon as, for the second time in as many seasons, they opened their campaign with a clash against the Shrimps.Following a minute of applause, in memory of Craig Shakespeare, the first match of the campaign got underway.
Walsall began the game brightly, and thought they had opened the scoring just two minutes into the encounter, as Josh Gordon picked up a lovely through ball and played in Jamille Matt, who fired past Morecambe shot-stopper, Stuart Moore, only to see the flag raised for an infringement of the offside rule.
The Saddlers continued to look bright as the game continued, winning a corner in the sixth minute, which was swung in by Jamie Jellis, but the visiting side were alert to the danger and able to clear the ball at the second time of asking.
The hosts were presented with another chance to open the scoring, fourteen minutes in, but Liam Gordon's cross had too much on it and his teammates were unable to get a touch.
With twenty minutes on the clock, Walsall finally found the breakthrough, as the ball fell to Taylor Allen on the edge of the area, with the defender chesting the ball down before firing through a crowded box and into the back of the net to give his side the advantage.
There was a brief halt to proceedings in the twenty-second minute, as Matt collided with the Morecambe goalkeeper, leaving Moore in need of attention from the medical team. Fortunately he was soon back on his feet and able to continue.
Josh Gordon became the first player to see yellow, as he was cautioned for preventing a quick Morecambe free-kick, in the twenty-fifth minute.
Things settled a little as the game continued, with both sides enjoying spells on the ball, without creating much to trouble either 'keeper.
Walsall shot-stopper, Tommy Simkin was finally called into action in the thirty-fifth minute, as Gwion Edwards crossed the ball into the danger zone, but the 'keeper was alert to the danger and collected with ease.
The Saddler soon had the ball back at the other end, winning a corner in the thirty-eighth minute, as Kayden Harrack turned the ball behind, but nothing would come of the flag-kick.
There was another brief halt to proceedings in the forty-second minute, allowing George Ray and Jamille Matt to receive treatment following a collision. Both were soon back to their feet and able to continue.
Walsall assistant, Gary Waddock, was shown a red card just as the game looked set to re-start following the stoppage. The reason for the card remained unclear.
Six additional minutes were added to end the first-half, during which time, the Saddlers won a corner, as Luke Hendrie blocked a Josh Gordon shot, but nothing would come of the flag-kick as Moore punched the in-swinging ball clear.
There would be little further action of note, and the sides headed off to enjoy their half-time refreshments with Walsall leading by one-goal-to-nil.
Both sides opted to make changes as they returned. Jamille Matt sitting out the second-half, as Albert Adomah took his place in the Walsall eleven, whilst Kayden Harrack and George Ray were replaced in the Morecambe side by Tom White and Yann Songo'o.
Walsall began the second-half brightly, with Lakin seeing an effort from outside the area blocked, just one minute after the re-start, following a lovely headed pass from Ryan Stirk to get the ball to him.
Morecambe soon had the ball at the other end, where Edwards saw a strike from outside the box sail over the crossbar.
There was a brief halt to proceedings in the fifty-third minute, allowing the medical team to attend to Oisin McEntee, but the defender was soon up and able to continue.
Things settled a little after that, with both sides enjoying good spells on the ball, without creating much to trouble their opposition defences.
Walsall looked set to double their advantage as we reached the hour mark; Connor Barrett receiving the ball from Jellis before racing forwards and forcing a fine save from Moore, with the resulting corner coming to nothing.
Albert Adomah became the second player to see yellow, as he was cautioned for a foul on Ben Tollitt, sixty-two minutes into the contest.
Morecambe opted to make two further changes to their line-up, sixty-three minutes in, with Gwion Edwards and Hallam Hope making way for Lee Angol and Jordan Slew.
Moments after the changes were completed, the visiting side went close, as Jamie Stott saw a strike from outside the area blocked.
Walsall chose to make a second substitution, in the sixty-eighth minute, with Charlie Lakin making way for Jack Earing.
There was another pause in proceedings in the sixty-ninth minute, whilst the Walsall shot-stopper received attention from the medical staff, but it was soon determined he would be fine to continue and play resumed.
The Saddlers won a corner in the seventy-fourth minute, as Songo'o turned the ball behind. The ball in from Jellis was good, picking out Priestley Farquharson in good position in the box, but the defenders effort sailed narrowly wide of the target.
Another short pause followed in the seventy-sixth minute, as Connor Barrett required attention from the medical team, but it was soon determined he would be unable to continue, and Walsall brought on David Okagbue in his place.
The hosts won another corner kick shortly after the change was completed, which Allen swung into the area, forcing a save from Moore, who did well to clear the danger.
Morecambe chose to make their final change of the afternoon, ten minutes from time, with Luke Hendrie making way for Ross Millen.
Two minutes from time, Earing went close to doubling the Saddlers advantage, but his effort was too close to the 'keeper, who made an easy save to deny him.
Six additional minutes were added to end the match, there was little action of note during the closing minutes, although Slew did fire an effort high over the crossbar in the ninety-fifth minute.
That would be the final action of note, and the game was brought to it's conclusion, with Walsall winning by one-goal-to-nil.
| ALLEN (20') | |
| AT | POUNDLAND BESCOT STADIUM |
| REFEREE | JAMES DURKIN |