RESERVES: SHREWSBURY TOWN 1 WALSALL 2 RESERVES: SHREWSBURY TOWN 1 WALSALL 2

RESERVES: SHREWSBURY TOWN 1 WALSALL 2

Earlier today, Walsall Football Club's Reserve side travelled to Shrewsbury Sports Village to take on Shrewsbury Town Reserves in the latest Final Third Development League (West) fixture of the season.
Earlier today, Walsall Football Club's Reserve side travelled to Shrewsbury Sports Village to take on Shrewsbury Town Reserves in the latest Final Third Development League (West) fixture of the season.

Ahead of the game, Richard O'Kelly's Walsall, who hadn't been in league action since early December, sat in fourth position, having won just two of their five league games, losing three.

Whilst the Shrews, who had won two, drawn two, and lost two of their six league fixtures, sat in third position with eight points.

The Saddlers, who had fielded 21-year-old Middlesbrough central defender David Atkinson on a trial agreement, opened the scoring after nine minutes through midfielder Reece Flanagan, the flame-haired youngster had broken into the box and sent the ball past 'keeper Shaun Rowley, and into the top right corner of the goal.

Later, the Saddlers were awarded a free kick just outside the area,Reefe Flanagan took the kick which was met by defender Matt Preston, who saw his header go just over the bar.

Soon after, Amadou Bakayoko, who is currently on loan with Vanarama Conference side Southport, stung the hands of Shrews' stopper Rowley as the visitors piled on the pressure.


After twenty-eight minutes the Shrews had their first real goal-scoring opportunity of the game through Kaiman Anderson, who was on the end of a Niall Flint cross, but his connection wasn't strong enough to test Craig MacGillivray, who comfortably held the ball.

The Saddlers continued to be on top as half-time edged ever closer, Bakayoko fired over the bar following some good wing play from Rico Henry.

Shrewsbury got back into the game on the stroke of half time, striker Ethan Jones pouncing on the loose ball after Josh Ginnelly's cross was parried by MacGillivray.

 H/T  SHREWSBURY TOWN RES.   1   WALSALL RES.   1  

Early into the second half Walsall's Reece Flanagan saw yellow for a foul on a Shrews attacker, the resulting free kick was sent just over the bar with MacGillivray stretching.

Walsall's Kyle Rowley was the next player in the book, he fouled Kaiman Anderson with the attacker ready to strike on goal.

At the other end Walsall striker Jordan Murphy, who made his first-team debut during last weekend's Sky Bet League 1 defeat to Port Vale, had an effort tipped over the bar.


Murphy had another chance soon after, he broke down the left and cut inside the following defender, only to see his effort fly over the bar.

Soon after, a Flanagan corner was met by Matt Preston, his effort was tipped over the bar by Shrewsbury 'keeper Rowley.

The resulting corner was met by Bakayoko, but the young Sierra Leone born striker fails to hit the target as the home side's defenders scramble to shorten the angle.

As the second half continued, both sides made changes, as Ryan Hickman and Tom King were replaced by Callum Grogan and Joe Kenton for the hosts, whilst Levi and Kyle Rowley were replaced by Tevin Shakespeare and Lewis Probert for the Saddlers.

After eighty minutes, Shrews' goalscorer Ethan Jones was replaced by Jordan Wilson, as the home side looked to add fresh legs to their attack.

Matt Preston saw yellow with around eight minutes remaining, the defender seeking to slow down a Shrews attack as both sides looked for the winning goal.

Walsall re-took the lead with just five minutes of the game remaining, Shrews defender Alex Fletcher sending the ball past his own 'keeper from a Reece Flanagan corner.

The Saddlers sought another goal as the clock ticked down, Tevin Shakespeare beating his man before finding Bakayoko, who doesn't test the 'keeper.

 F/T  SHREWSBURY TOWN RES.     WALSALL RES.   2  
 GOALS  Jones 45+1' -- Flanagan 9', Fletcher OG 85'
 IN  Final Third Development League (West)
 AT  Shrewsbury Sports Village (Shrewsbury)
 REF  Mr. Adam Dean (Shropshire)

SHREWSBURY TOWN XI: S.Rowley; Hughes, Watkins, Fletcher, King ▼,  Flint ,  Hickman  , Anderson, Ginnelly, Millis, Jones ▼

SUBS: Ashton; Astley, Carta, Kenton▲, Grogan▲, Wilson ▲

WALSALL XI: MacGillivray; Atkinson, Henry,  K.Rowley  ,  Preston , Kinsella, Delaney,  Flanagan , Murphy, L.Rowley ▼, Bakayoko

SUBS: Jezeph; Probert ▲, Kouhyar, Shakespeare ▲
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