A Walsall XI, primarily made up of academy scholars, made their way to Noose Lane in Willenhall on Tuesday evening as they took on Dudley Town in their rearranged Birmingham Senior Cup - Second Round clash.With either Coventry City or Stourbridge awaiting in the Third Round, the two sides prodded and probed for an opening in the early stages of the contest, with the first goal arriving with just six minutes on the clock.
It was the young Saddlers who would open the scoring, as young winger Paul Makavore got on the end of a well-placed Jaiy Leydon cross to put his side into the lead. A well-worked attack that saw the home side unable to deny their inexperienced visitors.
Walsall weren't ahead for long, however, as a twelfth-minute Dudley free-kick caused plenty of confusion in the Saddlers' area before Connor Archer put the ball beyond Jenson Kilroy and into the back of the net.
The Saddlers created a few promising openings over the course of the game, with both Stan Straw and goalscorer Makavore failing to convert from Leydon crosses, before Charlie Wragg saw an effort easily gathered by Town 'keeper Callum Cook.
Dudley thought they should have had a penalty late in the half, as Stan Straw's challenge prevented them from taking the lead, though referee Alexander Richards waived play on.
Charlie Wragg saw another effort go begging as the home 'keeper pulled off a fine save low to the ground with the scores remaining tied as the contest ultimately went to a penalty shoot-out.
Matt Funge scored for the visitors before Tom Owen rattled the bar in response. Owen Massey scored Dudley's second with Jackson Preece having his saved.
Brad Mansell added a third for Dudley, with Will Etheridge scoring Walsall's first successful spot kick, but Connor Armstrong scored Dudley's fourth to send them through to the next round.
| MAKAVORE (6') | ARCHER (12') |
| AT | NOOSE LANE |