REPORT: WALSALL U18 6 LINCOLN CITY U18 0 REPORT: WALSALL U18 6 LINCOLN CITY U18 0

REPORT: WALSALL U18 6 LINCOLN CITY U18 0

Earlier this evening, Walsall Football Club's Under 18 side took on Lincoln City in the semi final of this season's Midland Youth Cup.
Earlier this evening, Walsall Football Club's Under 18 side took on Lincoln City in the semi final of this season's Midland Youth Cup.

The Saddlers started the game well, pushing high up the field, not allowing their opponents much time on the ball.

First-year pro Rico Henry tested his marker with several bursts of pace throughout his time on the pitch.

After around ten minutes of the match Walsall enjoyed a good spell on the ball, keeping their opponents at bay, Jordon Sangha a particular highlight.

 GOAL: Walsall U18 1 Lincoln City U18 0 

The Saddlers opened the scoring after around thirteen minutes, thanks to a wonderful pacey team move, which resulted in Tevin Shakespeare finding the net from around 20 yards, leaving the 'keeper with no-chance.

Later, Walsall goalkeeper Daniel Jezeph was put under pressure as Lincoln's Lewis Millington forced a mistake from Kane Lewis, his pass making Lewis Probert hash his clearance, thankfully nothing came of the blooper.

The Saddlers continued to enjoy good spells on the ball, often patiently awaiting an error from their opponents, and then breaking with pace.

Halfway through the first-half Lincoln's Connor Griffin was replaced by Sam Fewkes after he suffered a neck injury whilst defending against a Walsall attack.

Lincoln enjoyed their own spell of possession, which also included a couple of free kicks, both of which were defended against by the young Saddlers.

 GOAL: Walsall U18 2 Lincoln City U18 0 

Tevin Shakespeare doubled the Saddlers lead following a 1-2 with Levi Rowley following a sweeping attack, the 'keeper again having very little chance of stopping Tevin's shot.

Shakespeare followed that up with a shot from distance, this didn't result in a goal.

The Saddlers continued to be on top, including winning throw in's and corners as the City defence managed to keep the score at 2-0 as we reached half-time.

Andrew Wright tested Walsall's Jezeph with a thunderous strike, the 'keeper almost gifting Jordan Harper with a goal after initially dropping the follow-up cross.

 GOAL: Walsall U18 3 Lincoln City U18 0 

Levi Rowley, who was fed the ball by strike partner Shakespeare, turned his man and sent in a fantastic strike, again leaving Richard Walton with little chance.

 GOAL: Walsall U18 4 Lincoln City 0 

Levi Rowley, drew Walton out of his goal, then fed the ball to the on-running Mazir Kouhyar, who found the back of the net well.

Soon after 'keeper Richard Walton saved well from a Delaney header, Rico Henry delivering a wonderful corner kick.

 HALF TIME: Walsall U18 4 Lincoln City U18 0 

Early in the second half Lincoln's Kieran Helsdown tested Dan Jezeph, who was equal to the strikers snap-shot.

Levi Rowley continued his strong showing, making the defence panic whenever he got on the ball.

The Saddlers were content with playing a patient, passing game, protecting their lead, whilst preventing the opposition from threatening the goal.

Walsall's Jamie Smith, son of manager Dean Smith, put in several good crosses from his defensive position, giving strikers Shakespeare and Levi Rowley something to attack.

Kane Lewis sent a ball in the box, which was met by Rico Henry, who had found Lewis at the start of the attack, first-team fringe player Henry - hit the post with the resulting effort.

Lincoln's Jenk Akar was brought into the game, whilst Walsall's Tevin Shakespeare was replaced by Romario Reid as the Saddlers looked to extend their comfortable lead.

Later, defender Kyle Rowley met a Walsall corner well, the captain's effort sadly going wide.

 GOAL: Walsall U18 5 Lincoln City U18 0 

Romario Reid found Levi Rowley, who drew the goalkeeper out and looped a shot over his head, to give Levi his second goal of the night.

Soon after Walsall's Rory Oliver was brought on to the pitch to replace Levi Rowley, whilst Lewis Millington was replaced by Jack McMenemy for the visitors, as they looked to avoid further goals.

Lincoln continued to waste their time on the ball, with sloppy passes and poor vision, allowing the Saddlers to dominate the game.

Delaney won a corner thanks to a deflected effort from distance, Kouyhar meeting the ball, Richard Walton saving well.

Later, Walsall midfielder Mazir Kouyhar was replaced after injuring his shoulder whilst challenging for the ball, Raekwon Smith the man to replace him.

As the rain poured Walsall continued to be alert to any City attacks, the defensive area became quite slippy.

Kieran Helsdown went wide for the visitors, as they looked for a way back into the game.

Soon after, Walsall's Daniel Jezeph saved well from Liam Harris, sending the forwards effort over the bar, their resulting corner was also subsequently wasted.

Substitute Rory Oliver also went wide following a good passage of play for the home side.

Walsall's Lewis Probert began to suffer from a touch of cramp with five minutes to go, the defender continued on as the Saddlers kept up the pressure on the visitors.

 GOAL: Walsall U18 6 Lincoln City U18 0 

Walsall's Rory Oliver was fed by Romario Reid, who'd stripped a Lincoln defender of possession, the midfield man finishing well, 'keeper Walton once again a victim of his side's poor defending.

Romario Reid was flagged offside following some good play from Rico Henry who was pulling the strings in the middle of the park.

Walsall continued to stand strong as they entered time added on, restricting Lincoln to a shot from distance, which Jezeph saved well.

Sam Fewkes also had a shot blocked for Lincoln, whilst Romario Reid went wide for the Saddlers.

 F/T: Walsall U18 6 Lincoln City U18 0 
 GOALS: Shakespeare (2), L.Rowley (2), Kouhyar, Oliver 

 WALSALL  1) Daniel Jezeph; 2) Jamie Smith, 3) Kane Lewis, 4) Jordon Sangha, 5) Kyle Rowley ©, 6) Lewis Probert, 7) Luke Delaney, 8) Mazir Kouhyar, 9) Tevin Shakespeare, 10) Levi Rowley, 11) Rico Henry

 SUBS  12) Romario Reid, 13) Alexey Miruszenko (GK), 14) Rory Oliver, 15) Kory Roberts, 16) Raekwon Smith

 LINCOLN CITY  1) Richard Walton, 2) Marlon Grundy ©, 3) Josh Barr-Rostron, 4) Leon Loftus, 5) Jordon Cooke, 6) Connor Griffin, 7) Jordan Harper, 8) Andrew Wright, 9) Kieran Helsdown, 10) Lewis Millington, 11) Liam Harris

 SUBS  12) Sam Fewkes, 14) Jenk Acar, 15) Mason Love, 16) Jack McMenemy, 17) Calum Stewart
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