Walsall Under-18s were back in action on Saturday afternoon as they opened their 2024/25 EFL Youth Alliance North West campaign with a home clash against Blackpool.Taking place at the Birmingham County FA's Headquarters on Ray Hall Lane, the Saddlers were looking to earn an all-too-rare win as they hoped to improve upon a dismal 2023/24 season that saw them win just three of their twenty-six games.
WALSALL TEAM
Barber; Bennett, Wilkes, Webb, Straw, Pawlowski, Beckford, Preece, Teesdale, Etheridge, Leydon
Substitutes: Harris, Roberts, Oben, Makavore, Owen
BLACKPOOL TEAM
Trialist; Leliendal, Oshodi, Nwankwo, Elder, Upton, Richardson, Knight, Bowen, Butterworth, Campbell
Substitutes: Crowe; Norris, Scholes, Mannix, Daley
The young Saddlers' bid to improve upon last season's showing didn't get off to the greatest start as they gifted the visiting Tangarines the opening goal of the game when defender Cailen Beckford put the ball beyond goalkeeper Harrison Barber and into the back of the net from a Blackpool corner.
Blackpool doubled their lead within ten minutes of the second half getting underway as Layton Campbell struck the ball over the line. A disappointing one for the Saddlers as they looked to be starting the season with a defeat.
Walsall made a number of changes during the second half with Jakub Pawlowski, Jackson Preece, Cailen Beckford, and Stan Straw making way for Marley Roberts, McLoyd Oben, Thomas Owen, and Ellis Harris.
Both teams created several spells of attacking and conversely defensive displays over the course of the game, but, ultimately, it was the visitors who secured the spoils. Walsall will be in action again next weekend as they take on Bolton Wanderers.
| GOALSCORER |
BECKFORD [OG] (33') CAMPBELL (54') |
| AT | RAY HALL LANE |