Earlier today, Walsall Football Club's Reserves played host to Burton Albion Reserves in the latest Final Third Development League (West) fixture of the season. A brief run-down of events is below.
The Saddlers had the opening shot on goal, as Reece Flanagan attempted to lift the ball over the charging Burton goalkeeper. Flanagan's effort went just wide of the post as Burton scrambled to defend.
Following a spell of solid defensive football from both sides, the next attempt on goal came Burton's way as Mirsa Sejdic curled an effort wide of Liam Roberts' goal.
A few minutes after Levi Rowley saw an effort saved, the Saddlers opened the scoring. Amadou Bakayoko was alert to slot home as the goalkeeper failed to keep hold of his initial effort.
Levi Rowley saw a header easily saved following great work from James Baxendale, as he skipped past his marker and whipped in a dangerous cross.
Kyle Rowley and Reece Flanagan combined in midfield, resulting in a Flanagan scissor-kick flying well wide of goal.
As the match reached the thirty-minute mark, James Baxendale saw an effort saved, as the 'keeper did well to reach the powerful strike.
The second half of the match saw the weather become an increasing factor in proceedings, wind and rain testing both sets of players.
Walsall looked to up the tempo and pass the ball around the pitch, stretching their opponents and making them work for time on the ball.
The Saddlers had a goal ruled out as Levi Rowley bundled the ball over the line, the referee pulled play back for a foul by Amadou Bakayoko.
The match continued to be a fairly scrappy affair, as neither goalkeeper was tested in the opening twenty minutes of the second half.
With under fifteen minutes of the game remaining, Walsall saw another shot go wide of goal, as James Baxendale fired in a left-footed shot. Some nice play from the Saddlers midfield.
The Brewers levelled the scores with just over ten minutes remaining, Marcus Dinanga slotting past Liam Roberts following a dangerous defence splitting pass.
With five minutes of the game remaining, Walsall were handed the chance to get back into the lead after Liam Kinsella was hauled down inside the area. He got back to his feet and dispatched the spot kick past the 'keeper to ultimately secure all three points for his side.
FINAL THIRD DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE (WEST) | RESULT
WALSALL 2-1 BURTON ALBION
GOALS | Bakayoko (19'), Kinsella PEN (85') - Dinanga (79')
WALSALL XI | L.Roberts; K.Roberts, R.Smith, K.Rowley, Preston (Cockerill-Mollett 70'); Kinsella, Kouhyar, Flanagan, Baxendale (King 84'), L.Rowley, Bakayoko
SUBS | Jezeph; Tonks, Sangha, Cockerill-Mollett, King