Earlier today, Walsall Football Club's Under 18s travelled North as they faced Wigan Athletic Under 18s in the latest Football League Youth Alliance (North West) fixture of the season.
The young Saddlers, who are managed by Neil Woods, arrived at the game in third position having suffered just their third defeat of the league season at the hands of Bury last weekend. Wigan sat in second place, having also lost just three games in their Alliance campaign.
It was the Latics that opened the scoring, as Callum Lang sent the ball past Jezeph in the Walsall goal. Wigan's Chris Sang also looked to have got a touch to the ball, but the goal will be credited to Lang, who did well to slot the ball home.
Walsall were unlucky not to level the scores on several occasions as the hosts defended well,the Saddlers' Jordon Sangha having a shot from distance saved ten minutes before the break.
Walsall were again unlucky not to get on the scoresheet in the early stages of the second half as Sangha and Maz Kouhyar were both denied by the goalkeeper.
Saddlers striker Kyle King was also denied by the solid Wigan defence as goalkeeper Kelland Absalom saved at his feet just as he was to pull the trigger.
Wigan doubled their lead late on as James Barrigan scored from a Josh Gregory pass, a sixth clean sheet in a row for the hosts, the Saddlers not having much luck in front of goal as they suffer their fourth defeat of the season.
FOOTBALL LEAGUE YOUTH ALLIANCE (NORTH WEST) - RESULT
WIGAN ATHLETIC 2 WALSALL 0
GOALS | Lang (35'), Barrigan (88')
GOALS | Lang (35'), Barrigan (88')