Walsall Under-18s returned to action on Saturday afternoon as they welcomed Carlisle United to Ray Hall Lane for their latest EFL Youth Alliance outing of the season.After ending a three-game losing spell with two wins in as many games, Walsall Under-18s returned to losing ways last weekend as Forest Green Rovers secured a 3-2 win in the Youth Alliance Cup.
WALSALL TEAM
Barber; Bennett, Owen, Oben, Pawlowski, Straw, Makavore, Bunn, Teesdale, Etheridge, Leydon
Substitutes: Pitt; Harris, Byran, Roberts, Taylor
CARLISLE UNITED TEAM
Randall; Rigby, Chapman, Porter, Nicholson, Atkinson, Hopper, Lowes, Lambert, Skinner, Mason
Substitutes: Sillitoe; Hodgson
The visitors got the game underway, but it was the Saddlers who grabbed the opening goal of the afternoon as Finn Teesdale capped off a superb attacking move to put his side into the lead.
Walsall created a couple more chances as the half progressed. The first came via Jaiy Leydon's corner as Stan Straw climbed highest to send a header over the Cumbrians' crossbar.
The Saddlers' next opening saw Jaiy Leydon pick up the ball in space before sending a low, powerful effort just wide of visiting goalkeeper Thomas Randall's goal.
Walsall scored their second goal of the game with just moments of first-half stoppage time remaining when Tom Owen slotted home from the penalty spot after the referee pointed to the spot following a high boot.
Walsall made a change at the break as Archie Bunn was replaced by Luca Taylor, but the change didn't upset the balance as the Saddlers were soon even further ahead.
The third goal of the game saw Jaiy Leydon continue his influential display by getting on the end of a well-placed Will Etheridge cross to slam the ball home with his head.
Walsall's next opening fell by the wayside as a miscommunication between Stan Straw and goalscorer Leydon saw Jaiy get on the end of a cross that was more suited for Straw, the ball ultimately going wide of goal.
The Saddlers made several changes as the half progressed, with Wilson Byran coming on for goalscorer Finn Teesdale early in the second forty-five before Paul Makavore, Cayden Bennett and goalkeeper Harrison Barber were replaced by Marley Roberts, Ellis Harris and Alfie Pitt several minutes later.
As the match entered the final ten minutes, Stan Straw continued to be a nuisance for the visiting backline as he forced the 'keeper into a save after an initial header from a corner was blocked.
Walsall handed Carlisle a beacon of hope late in the game when Jacob Pawlowski fouled a United attacker inside the area, giving the referee little choice but to point to the spot.
The resulting penalty was saved by substitute stopper Alfie Pitt, but taker Dan Hopper was alert to the rebound and put the ball into the back of the net.
Walsall were soon back on the attack and looking to re-establish their three-goal advantage as Tom Owen saw a strong effort cannon off the post before Will Etheridge sent an effort well over the opposition goal.
There were no further goals nor chances of note as the youngsters secured a superb result as they look to have turned a corner following a difficult start to the new campaign.
| TEESDALE OWEN [P] LEYDON |
HOPPER |
| AT | RAY HALL LANE |