Yesterday afternoon Walsall Football Club's Under 18's side made the trip to Greater Manchester to take on Oldham Athletic in the latest Football League Youth Alliance (North West) fixture of the season.
The Latics were sixth in the league, having played six, won five and lost one this season.
The game was held at Chapel Road, in the Hollinwood area of Oldham, and it was the hosts that took the lead, thanks to a Devante Jacobs right-foot strike after seven minutes, this built the confidence of the Latics, allowing them to take some control of the match, midfielder Jordache Walters going just wide after around 15 minutes.
Athletic continued to test 'keeper Dan Jezeph's goal, Callum Scullion heading over from a corner just before the 30 minute mark.
Walsall began to come back into the game, and went close to scoring from a corner, a header going just over the bar.
H/T: Oldham Athletic Youth 1 Walsall Youth 0
Not long after the second half began Walsall should have equalised. Oldham's goalkeeper Chris Renshaw saved the first shot well as Tevin Shakespeare goes wide with the rebound.
Later, Oldham defender George Edmondson had a shot blocked as the game became a little scrappy.
Oldham stretched their lead after 62 minutes, Devante Jacobs finding the back of the net with a cheeky lob over the on-rushing Dan Jezeph.
The Saddlers got themselves back into the game, via a Romario Reid goal, the ball being bundled over the line by the forward following a scramble in the box, the home side protested that there was a foul during the build-up, however the referee ignored those pleas.
Following the goal, the Saddlers pressurised the Latics defence, which, sadly for the Saddlers, held firm, the home side managing the odd counter attack to test the Walsall back-line.
The Latics regained their two goal advantage as Devante Jacobs' deep cross found Jordache Walters, who fired home.
Oldham's Jack Tuohy shot over the bar soon after as the Saddlers were put under more pressure by the hosts.
The game came to an end, with the Saddlers unable to peg back their opponents.
F/T: Oldham Athletic Youth 3 (Jacobs 7', 62', Walters 80') Walsall Youth 1 (71')
Walsall manager Neil Woods will be somewhat disappointed in the result, which sees his side's unbeaten run come to an end.
The Saddlers next match is at home against Tranmere Rovers next Saturday (kick off 11:00am).
The game was held at Chapel Road, in the Hollinwood area of Oldham, and it was the hosts that took the lead, thanks to a Devante Jacobs right-foot strike after seven minutes, this built the confidence of the Latics, allowing them to take some control of the match, midfielder Jordache Walters going just wide after around 15 minutes.
Athletic continued to test 'keeper Dan Jezeph's goal, Callum Scullion heading over from a corner just before the 30 minute mark.
Walsall began to come back into the game, and went close to scoring from a corner, a header going just over the bar.
H/T: Oldham Athletic Youth 1 Walsall Youth 0
Not long after the second half began Walsall should have equalised. Oldham's goalkeeper Chris Renshaw saved the first shot well as Tevin Shakespeare goes wide with the rebound.
Later, Oldham defender George Edmondson had a shot blocked as the game became a little scrappy.
Oldham stretched their lead after 62 minutes, Devante Jacobs finding the back of the net with a cheeky lob over the on-rushing Dan Jezeph.
The Saddlers got themselves back into the game, via a Romario Reid goal, the ball being bundled over the line by the forward following a scramble in the box, the home side protested that there was a foul during the build-up, however the referee ignored those pleas.
Following the goal, the Saddlers pressurised the Latics defence, which, sadly for the Saddlers, held firm, the home side managing the odd counter attack to test the Walsall back-line.
The Latics regained their two goal advantage as Devante Jacobs' deep cross found Jordache Walters, who fired home.
Oldham's Jack Tuohy shot over the bar soon after as the Saddlers were put under more pressure by the hosts.
The game came to an end, with the Saddlers unable to peg back their opponents.
F/T: Oldham Athletic Youth 3 (Jacobs 7', 62', Walters 80') Walsall Youth 1 (71')
Walsall manager Neil Woods will be somewhat disappointed in the result, which sees his side's unbeaten run come to an end.
The Saddlers next match is at home against Tranmere Rovers next Saturday (kick off 11:00am).