Earlier this evening, Walsall Football Club's Under 18s side played host to Coventry City Under 18s in the First Round of this season's FA Youth Cup competition. You can read our in-depth match report below.
It was Walsall who had the opening chance of the game as midfielder Nathan Owen saw an effort deflected over the bar. The resulting corner was cleared as City gained their bearings.
As a City strike was ruled out for an offside, Walsall created another opening of their own, Rory Oliver forcing the 'keeper into a great save, good action in the early goings.
Cameron Peters was also alert to force the 'keeper into a save as Neil Woods' Walsall enjoyed a strong start to the match.
City were soon prevented from testing Walsall's 'keeper as Kory Roberts did well to block the attempted shot following a nice spell of passing from the Sky Blues.
Coventry forced a corner just after eighteen minutes of play, and the visitors went on to open the evening's scoring as Walsall's Sam Tonks brought down Reece Ford in the area and gave the Sky Blues a spot kick.
Bassala Sambou stepped up and slotted the ball past Dan Jezeph, putting his side into the lead.
City, buoyed by their goal, would go on to force another corner soon after, this one was cleared as the scores were unchanged.
As the first half continued, Walsall looked to get back on level terms, and saw a Cameron Peters effort blocked with City defending well against the Saddlers' attacking play.
The Sky Blues would go on to double their lead after around thirty minutes as Sambou grabbed his second of the game, Jordan Shipley producing a fine pass into space, allowing Sambou to fire into the top corner of the goal.
With just over ten minutes until half-time, Walsall's Dan Jezeph was again called into action as Jordan Shipley fired in a dangerous free kick from distance, Dan got down well to prevent another goal as Kory Roberts cleared the remaining danger.
Coventry edged further into the lead moments later as a blocked Shipley effort fell to Sambou, who made no mistake and grabbed his and City's third goal of the game.
The ever-present Sambou went close to grabbing another goal as we headed closer to the break, his header rebounding off the bar as his teammate Dan Smith was offside on the rebound.
With three minutes of the half remaining, Walsall were awarded a free kick in an advanced position following a foul on Jordon Sangha. Nathan Owen stepped up and sent the ball just wide of goal as he sought to get his side back into the match.
The Sky Blues made a change at the break as Kyle Finn replaced Jay Albini, Finn has been prolific in front of goal this season, putting him second in City's scoring charts.
With under five minutes of the half gone, City had their first real opportunity to grab another goal as Shipley forced a save out of Dan Jezpeh, The 'keeper was up to the task and saved well to prevent the visitors from extending their lead.
Walsall looked to get themselves on the scoresheet but were often prevented from getting into full flow as their well-drilled opponents sought to quell any attacking move with solid defensive positioning.
The opposition 'keeper was called into action as the half continued, but he was equal to the shot and kept his sheet clean.
As the Saddlers continued to look for a way back into the game, the visitors made their second change with Dagry Mantsounga replacing Tom Bayliss.
Walsall would go on to register their first goal of the game soon after, as Tobias Hayles-Docherty slotted home from close range.
Neil Woods would soon make his first change of the game as Cameron Peters was replaced by Kyle King, fresh legs and a burst of pace up front for the young Saddlers.
With under twenty-five minutes of the half remaining, Walsall's Maz Kouhyar forced another fine save out of the Sky Blues 'keeper, the Saddlers looking to get further back into the tie as time ticked down.
As City saw a Kyle Finn effort saved, the Saddlers would break up the pitch and win a corner kick through some fine play from Kyle King. The visitors would do well to clear the danger and preserve their lead.
Walsall goalscorer Hayles-Docherty would soon be replaced by Lezion Cela as manager Neil Woods further shuffled his pack with time running out. The visitors would also go on to make another change as Chris Camwell replaced Dan Smith.
Kyle King went close to adding to his seasons goal tally as he broke clear of the City defence and forced another save out of the 'keeper, who was alert to use his legs to prevent a goal.
The visitors extended their lead with five minutes of play remaining, Sambou grabbing his and City's fourth goal as a Finn effort was parried into his path, Jezeph helpless to act as he slotted home to take his side through to face Crewe Alexandra in the Second Round.
ATTENDANCE | 201
REFEREE | Mr. Nicholas HOPTON
As a City strike was ruled out for an offside, Walsall created another opening of their own, Rory Oliver forcing the 'keeper into a great save, good action in the early goings.
Cameron Peters was also alert to force the 'keeper into a save as Neil Woods' Walsall enjoyed a strong start to the match.
City were soon prevented from testing Walsall's 'keeper as Kory Roberts did well to block the attempted shot following a nice spell of passing from the Sky Blues.
Coventry forced a corner just after eighteen minutes of play, and the visitors went on to open the evening's scoring as Walsall's Sam Tonks brought down Reece Ford in the area and gave the Sky Blues a spot kick.
Bassala Sambou stepped up and slotted the ball past Dan Jezeph, putting his side into the lead.
City, buoyed by their goal, would go on to force another corner soon after, this one was cleared as the scores were unchanged.
As the first half continued, Walsall looked to get back on level terms, and saw a Cameron Peters effort blocked with City defending well against the Saddlers' attacking play.
The Sky Blues would go on to double their lead after around thirty minutes as Sambou grabbed his second of the game, Jordan Shipley producing a fine pass into space, allowing Sambou to fire into the top corner of the goal.
With just over ten minutes until half-time, Walsall's Dan Jezeph was again called into action as Jordan Shipley fired in a dangerous free kick from distance, Dan got down well to prevent another goal as Kory Roberts cleared the remaining danger.
Coventry edged further into the lead moments later as a blocked Shipley effort fell to Sambou, who made no mistake and grabbed his and City's third goal of the game.
The ever-present Sambou went close to grabbing another goal as we headed closer to the break, his header rebounding off the bar as his teammate Dan Smith was offside on the rebound.
With three minutes of the half remaining, Walsall were awarded a free kick in an advanced position following a foul on Jordon Sangha. Nathan Owen stepped up and sent the ball just wide of goal as he sought to get his side back into the match.
THE FA YOUTH CUP - HALF TIME
WALSALL 0 COVENTRY CITY 3
The Sky Blues made a change at the break as Kyle Finn replaced Jay Albini, Finn has been prolific in front of goal this season, putting him second in City's scoring charts.
With under five minutes of the half gone, City had their first real opportunity to grab another goal as Shipley forced a save out of Dan Jezpeh, The 'keeper was up to the task and saved well to prevent the visitors from extending their lead.
Walsall looked to get themselves on the scoresheet but were often prevented from getting into full flow as their well-drilled opponents sought to quell any attacking move with solid defensive positioning.
The opposition 'keeper was called into action as the half continued, but he was equal to the shot and kept his sheet clean.
As the Saddlers continued to look for a way back into the game, the visitors made their second change with Dagry Mantsounga replacing Tom Bayliss.
Walsall would go on to register their first goal of the game soon after, as Tobias Hayles-Docherty slotted home from close range.
Neil Woods would soon make his first change of the game as Cameron Peters was replaced by Kyle King, fresh legs and a burst of pace up front for the young Saddlers.
With under twenty-five minutes of the half remaining, Walsall's Maz Kouhyar forced another fine save out of the Sky Blues 'keeper, the Saddlers looking to get further back into the tie as time ticked down.
As City saw a Kyle Finn effort saved, the Saddlers would break up the pitch and win a corner kick through some fine play from Kyle King. The visitors would do well to clear the danger and preserve their lead.
Walsall goalscorer Hayles-Docherty would soon be replaced by Lezion Cela as manager Neil Woods further shuffled his pack with time running out. The visitors would also go on to make another change as Chris Camwell replaced Dan Smith.
Kyle King went close to adding to his seasons goal tally as he broke clear of the City defence and forced another save out of the 'keeper, who was alert to use his legs to prevent a goal.
The visitors extended their lead with five minutes of play remaining, Sambou grabbing his and City's fourth goal as a Finn effort was parried into his path, Jezeph helpless to act as he slotted home to take his side through to face Crewe Alexandra in the Second Round.
THE FA YOUTH CUP - RESULT
WALSALL 1 COVENTRY CITY 4
GOALS | Hayles-Docherty (60') - Sambou (19', 30', 36', 85')ATTENDANCE | 201
REFEREE | Mr. Nicholas HOPTON