REPORT: Walsall 0 West Bromwich Albion 2 REPORT: Walsall 0 West Bromwich Albion 2

REPORT: Walsall 0 West Bromwich Albion 2

Earlier this evening, Walsall Football Club played host to near-rivals West Bromwich Albion in the latest pre-season clash ahead of their respective 2015/16 Football League and Premier League campaigns. We were in attendance, and you can see our match report below.
Earlier this evening, Walsall Football Club played host to near-rivals West Bromwich Albion in the latest pre-season clash ahead of their respective 2015/16 Football League and Premier League campaigns. We were in attendance, and you can see our match report below.


Ahead of kick-off Walsall named Ex-Leeds United midfielder Zac Thompson among their substitutes, the versatile player seemingly being given a second chance to impress following his trial release last week.

The Baggies, who had named a strong starting XI, got the game underway with Victor Anichebe and Saido Berahino doing the honours.

Walsall had to clear some very early danger with McClean and Sessegnon looking to combine, Saddlers captain Adam Chambers the man alert to the danger.

Reece Flanagan had the first attacking effort for the Saddlers soon after, he sliced wide from twenty-yards following some neat play by James Baxendale and Romaine Sawyers in midfield.

As the half continued, the game had a good tempo. Walsall defender Jason Demetriou sent in a swinging cross but there was no Saddlers shirt in the area to capitalise.

Walsall were awarded a dangerous free kick as Yacob felled Tom Bradshaw in an advanced position, flame-haired midfielder Reece Flanagan stepped up to take it but could only find the wall with his initial effort, the ball rebounded to him and he sent a dipping effort just over the Baggies' bar.

The Saddlers were much the brighter side as the clock ticked on, Rico Henry had a shot blocked following some neat play down the wing.

Soon after Jason Demetriou had a chance to play Tom Bradshaw in following some sloppy defensive play, but his ball was cleared and the Baggies partially recover.

Some neat play from Flanagan, Demetriou and Bradshaw sees West Brom's Joleon Lescott called into action as Sawyers looked to get on the end of Bradshaw's low cross.

James Baxendale then sent a shot wide as the Baggies struggled to contain the Walsall attack, some promising play from the Saddlers.

As applause rang around the stadium in memory of Joel Richards, Reece Flanagan joined Baxo in an effort but could only fire over the bar, the midfielder heavily involved so-far.

As a McClean cross was cleared, Walsall's James Baxendale was again involved in the action, he side-footed wide following some great play from Sawyers, Baxo will no-doubt feel he could have done better with the chance.

After twenty-four minutes West Brom won a corner, a Calum McManaman shot saved as his side broke towards goal. The flag-kick was cleared, the score remaining all-square.

As Saido Berahino had an effort blocked on the edge of the area, Tom Bradshaw was the next Saddler to have an effort sail wide of goal, he cut inside and shot from around twenty-five yards.

Romaine Sawyers was denied by some great last-ditch McClean defending, the strong tackle proving enough to stop Rom in his tracks.

Walsall's James O'Connor was alert to the danger as he cut out James McClean's cross from the left before anyone in a Baggies shirt could meet it, crucial intervention from the defender.

Following a misplaced O'Connor header, former Everton striker Victor Anichebe sent an effort wide of goal, both sides still seeking an opener.

Walsall won a corner on the counter but could do nothing with it as West Brom scrambled the ball clear.

Back at the other end Sessegnon sent an effort well over the bar following some neat play in midfield. Walsall broke back down the pitch and were awarded a penalty as Gardner felled Bradshaw as he burst into the area.

Last season's top-scorer and chief penalty take Bradshaw recovered from the foul and stepped up to take it, but he could only hit the post with his effort, the rebound couldn't be capitalised on as he sent the fast-paced ball wide of Myhill's goal.

The half ended all-square, the Saddlers will obviously feel that they should be ahead, but both sides had several sights on goal and could've opened the scoring.

 HT: WALSALL 0 WEST BROMWICH ALBION 0

As the players returned for the second half, Walsall made changes with Andy Taylor, Jason Demetriou, Adam Chambers and Tom Bradshaw being replaced by Matt Preston, Liam Kinsella, Sam Mantom and Milan Lalkovic.

The Baggies also made a change with former Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher replacing James Morrison.

James Baxendale was the first to have an effort in the second half as he sent a shot into the arms of Baggies 'keeper Myhill.

James Morrison was soon involved as he fed Gardner, but the latter's cross was not met by a team-mate as Walsall scrambled to recover.

West Brom then made two more changes as Sessegnon and Anechebe were replaced by Brunt and Ideye.

Back at the other end Baxendale was again within sight of goal as he bought the best out of a back-pedalling Myhill, who tipped the ball over the bar, good play from both as the game remained all-square.

James McClean sent a powerful effort into the hands of Craig MacGillivray, both 'keepers needing to be alert in the early goings. Gardner also had an effort but this time MacGillivray wasn't involved.

Walsall's Reece Flanagan did well to avoid the first booking of the game as he fouled Chris Brunt, who was looking to break.

The Baggies went on to have a couple of chances as McClean's dipping effort was saved and Gardner fired over from the resulting corner.

Later Yacob sent a poor effort wide of goal as he broke into an advanced area, MacGillivray with little to do there.

West Brom opened the scoring not long after the hour mark as Saido Berahino side footed home from a McClean cross, the Baggies making the breakthrough after a brief spell of pressure.

At the other end, Flanagan and Downing combined for the latter to head the ball straight to the 'keeper, not the most powerful of headers from the vice captain.

The Saddlers then made a trio of changes as Rico Henry, James Baxendale and Romaine Sawyers were replaced by Kieron Morris, Anthony Forde and Jordan Murphy.

A few minutes later following some good wing play, Walsall's Kieron Morris rattled the away team's crossbar as Craig Gardner then blocked Anthony Forde's headed rebound on the line, the Saddlers again unlucky not to get on the scoresheet, a great display from the home side.

As Milan Lalkovic headed the ball wide of goal, Walsall's trialist Zac Thompson replaced Reece Flanagan; around fifteen minutes for the former Leeds man to impress.

With just over ten minutes of the match remaining Saido Berahino sent a curling effort wide of goal, plenty of movement on the shot.

Liam O'Neill then replaced former Wigan Athletic man Callum McManaman for the visitors, some fresh legs on the wing for Tony Pulis' side as the clock continued to tick down towards full-time.

The Baggies doubled their lead after eighty-three minutes, Brown Ideye the man to tap home from McClean's low cross, very similar to their first, possibly an area for Smith and Co to look into.

Saddlers' trialist Zac Thompson had the final effort of the game, as his tame shot was gathered by Myhill, an effort on target but no real test.

FT: WALSALL 0 WEST BROMWICH ALBION 2
GOALS:  Berahino (62'), Ideye (83')
ATT: 5,209 REF: Mr Oliver Langford (West Midlands)
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