Earlier today Walsall Football Club made their first ever trip to Wembley Stadium to take on Bristol City in the Final of this season's Johnstone's Paint Trophy competition.As they got the game underway, City enjoyed a good spell of possession, though Walsall also had their moments on the ball with the fit-again combination of Cook and Forde looking to combine.
City's Luke Freeman was the first player to test the water, after a good spell of possession, he sent a right-footed shot just over the bar after just four minutes.
A Kory Smith shot was blocked by Mantom after a scramble outside the box, the resulting corner was gathered.
Up at the other end Anthony Forde had a shot saved from distance as both sides looked to open the scoring. Later in the half Jordan Cook did the same.
Sam Mantom had a shot blocked and eventually cleared after a brief Saddlers counter broke down.
Agard had a shot saved as they broke down the other end, comfortable for O'Donnell.
Joe Bryan ran the ball over the line Ben Purkiss forced him wide, as City continued to enjoy the majority of the ball.
Andy Taylor defended well against Little as he tried a run down the wing, James Chambers cleared their corner over the bar.
After fifteen minutes, Aiden Flint opened the scoring from the second corner, the defender climbing all over Paul Downing in the process.
Pack had a shot blocked as the Saddlers broke down the other end, no-one was able to create a chance as City cleared.
The Saddlers had a spell of possession in the final third, this resulted in Jordan Cook heading wide following a cross from an advanced Andy Taylor.
Later, James Chambers was alert to deny Agard as he broke into the Saddlers' box.
Jordan Cook had a shot blocked but nothing came of it as City recovered and cleared.
After 24 minutes, Anthony Forde won a corner which he also took, Little met the ball and headed over the bar.
This resulted in a corner from the other side. This was partially cleared as Walsall regained the ball and mounted an attack.
City's Aaron Wilbraham then sent a headed effort over the bar following good play down the Saddlers' left.
As Walsall failed to clear from another City advance, Richard O'Donnell gathered from a dangerous position, with James Chambers battling with Agard.
Joe Bryan was the next to send the ball in the box, O'Donnell again alert to the danger as he easily gathered the ball.
Walsall were awarded a free kick as Tom Bradshaw was felled. Sadly nothing came of it as City pressured Mantom into a poor effort.
O'Donnell was again alert to the danger as Marlon Pack tried an effort from distance.
With less than ten minutes of the half remaining, Romaine Sawyers became the first name in the referee's book as he was deemed to have fouled Little as the defender ran down the Saddlers' wing.
Andy Taylor volleyed just over the bar following a partially cleared Ben Purkiss cross, the left-back nearly cementing his Wembley moment.
Just before we reached the break Wilbraham again tried an effort from distance, this shot went well wide of goal.
HALF TIME BRISTOL CITY 1 WALSALL 0
Walsall got the second half underway, City were awarded an early free kick. Freeman played it in, it was met by Flint but edged over the bar by Williams' flick.
The half continued in a rather scrappy fashion, with both sides sharing the spoils, though City enjoyed better spells in the opposition half as Walsall were content to sit back a little.
Mark Little grabbed City's second goal after 51 minutes, the former Wolves defender bundling home after O'Donnell had saved his initial header. A good cross from Freemen to create the opening.
Walsall won a corner as we headed towards the hour mark. Aiden Flint headed out as Sam Mantom followed up with an effort that went a distance over the bar.
Jordan Cook broke down the wing and sent a cross into the box, the effort curled towards goal and forced a save from Fielding, City then cleared the follow up attempts.
Soon after Cook sent another cross in, though this was too deep and resulted in a goal kick. Up at the other end, Joe Bryan teed up Marlon Pack, who could only blast well over the bar from a promising position.
Just past the hour mark the returning Tom Bradshaw was replaced by Manchester City's Jordy Hiwula, who was given around half an hour to make an impact.
Later, Little had a cross met by Richard O'Donnell, his save fell back into the box and was sent over the line, but Wilbraham was offside.
After 70 minutes, former Everton striker Agard won a corner, this was cleared for a second flag kick. This was also cleared.
As the Saddlers attacked, substitute Hiwula blasted a shot over the bar after Sawyers had broken down the wing and cut inside.
Anthony Forde cut inside and sent a shot over the bar. He was soon after replaced by Ashley Grimes.
Joe Bryan then had a shot gathered as the pace of the game slowed during the final quarter.
James Baxendale came on for Jordan Cook as Smith looked for some fresh legs on the wing. Soon after, Ben Purkiss had a cross gathered as Hiwula threatened to break beyond his marker.
As Joe Bryan was replaced by Cunningham, Walsall's James Baxendale over-ran the ball and gave City a goal kick.
With the end of the game just minutes away, Emmanuel-Thomas replaced Agard. Then Wade Elliott replaced Luke Freeman.
Emmanuel-Thomas had an effort closed down by an alert Richard O'Donnell, as we entered stoppage time.
Anthony Forde broke down the right but sent his cross straight into the hands of the 'keeper.
Romaine Sawyers also sent in a cross following Grimes' initial pass, this also reached the hands of the 'keeper, as the game came to an end.
FULL TIME BRISTOL CITY 2 WALSALL 0
GOALS Flint 15', Little 51'
ATTENDANCE 72,315
REFEREE Mr. Michael Russell (Hertfordshire)
ATTENDANCE 72,315
REFEREE Mr. Michael Russell (Hertfordshire)
BRISTOL CITY
1
Flint 15', Little 51'
55
10
4
5
3
0
0
|
2-0
HT GOALS POSS (%) SHOTS ON TARGET CORNERS FOULS BOOKINGS RED CARDS |
WALSALL
0
45
12
2
3
7
1
0
|
|---|---|---|
Fielding
Little
Ayling
Flint
Williams
Bryan (Cunningham 87')
K.Smith
Pack
Freeman (Elliott 90')
Agard (Emmanuel-Thomas 89')
Wilbraham
Richards
Cunningham
Tavernier
Saville
Elliott
Wagstaff
Emmanuel-Thomas
| -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
SUBSTITUTES
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
|
O'Donnell
Purkiss
J.Chambers
Downing
Taylor
Mantom
A.Chambers
(Baxendale 81') Cook
Sawyers
(Grimes 74') Forde
(Hiwula 62') Bradshaw
MacGillivray
O'Connor
Flanagan
Baxendale
Cain
Grimes
Hiwula
|
ATTENDANCE 72,315
LOCATION Wembley Stadium (London)
REFEREE Mr Mick Russell (Hertfordshire)
LOCATION Wembley Stadium (London)
REFEREE Mr Mick Russell (Hertfordshire)